Staphylococcus

[Vince]

I am wondering if Staph is contagious and if it is what to do if you have been exposed? we have a co-worker in our office who has been admitted to the hospital with this infection and now we are all wondering since we had contact with her if we can catch this?

[debbie]

I had a growth removed from my face on jan 18, no antibiotic was prescribed at the time..... within 3 to 4 days, the removal spot was surrounded by hard, red skin.   My doctor prescribed Keflex 500 mg 4x a day...... within 1 week, the redness had spread, so she put me on augmentin 875 mg on Feb 2... today  is Feb 3 and the redness/rash has spread even more & tomorrow morning is my last pill........  what damage can this cause .. the doctor said this is a staph infection.......  my face looks like a large burn area on the left side of my face....... Thanks, Debbie

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Staph germs are everywhere.  Hard to say why some people get sick from them and others not.  Perhaps the low immunity is the chicken and not the egg.

Dr. R

[Vince]

Following up on your answer...This indiviual was admitted to the hospital with breathing difficulties, then transfered to the cardiac unit because of a rapid heart beat.  I believe that it isn't contagious because she has had outbreaks regularly for the past 6 months, and no one else has shown symptoms.  I am wondering what could cause these staph infections and why she has low immunity during the outbreaks.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Vince:

Not very.  Staph germs live on many of us, minding their own business.  It has more to do with the interaction of the germ with the host than just the germ itself.  In any case, if no one comes down with any skin issues in a couple of days, I think you and your co-workers don't have much to be concerned about.

Best.

Dr. R