What are the stages of Staph Infection, How serious, Symptoms of Stages, Treatme

[pama]

My daughter became ill around Feb. 26st 2004.  She was treated for Sinusitus.  Two weeks later, March 11th she was diagnosed with Mono, she had lumps in her throat and her throat was solid white and swollen.  She was also diagnosed as being anemic but not sure the doc knows what he is talking about.  Around two weeks to three later we noticed a place on the inside of her lower left calf which appeared to be a bite.  Doc said put Neo and Cort on it along with more antibiotics.  It swelled to a hard knot and formed an oblong redness around it.  Around two weeks later she developed knots in her right armpit, one very large one in the center, little ones around.  While taking a Zpak that one went down although you can still feel it under the skin and a large pus filled knot formed under the left armpit with several smaller ones around it.  Small red bumps with the appearance of measles or rash appeared down her side by the breast which eventually disappeared.  The oblong redness that occurred on her leg also appeared on her left inner arm a couple of different times.  We saw a Dermatologists MD who cut the large knot open, left it open to drain, put her back on Zpak.  1st culture was lost, 2nd culture came back Staph Infection.  I am very concerned about this infection along with the mono on top of it.  She is on her 6th or 7th antibiotic (Augmentin, Zithromax Liquid, Z-Pak, Ceftin, Z-Pak & now another Z-Pak along with an iron pill and in the beginning some other medication.  The knot is stilll there although it has went down some, still draining a foul odor infection and today there appears to be some more red spots around it again.  I'm not sure if this is a skin infection or an internal infection.  I'm very concerned that it has or that it may enter her bloodstream.  I know from what I have read this could be very serious..  The thing that throws the doctors is the fact that she does not have a fever.  She has had Strep really bad before though and not ran a fever.  I desperately need some advice.  She is to see the dermatologists again tommorrow and an infectious disease doctor.  The doctors that have seen her didn't really know what it could be.  Can you please offer me some extensive information as to what this may really be, what kind of doctor whe may need to see, what I should look for (especially about it entering her bloodstream) treatment, medication, just anything you can tell me?  She is my only child now as I had to bury my son in 2002.  She is my life and I am very concerned.  Please help!  She has had extreme fatigueness throughout this whold thing also.    

Sincerely,

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I understand your concern, but you are already taking the proper steps to evaluate what this is--seeing a dermatologist and an infectious disease specialist.  I can't comment much myself, I'm afraid, because your daughter's case is clearly unusual, and because it's hard to do anyway without seeing it.  However, I will say that this does not sound internal or life-threatening.  I'm not sure what exactly you've been reading, but most staph infections are localized and not dangerous.  Your daughter may need to have the area debrided (surgically cleaned-out) more extensively), or else the staph my be resistant to standard antibiotics and need to be treated with a different one.

I am confident that the doctors you plan to see will be able to clarify your daughter's case and take care of it.  I would appreciate your letting me know what they decide.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[pama]

WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THE 2ND CULTURE CAME BACK AND IT IS A STAPH RESISTANT INFECTION.  THERE IS A NEW DRUG OUT WHICH COST A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS AND OF COURSE THE SULFA DRUG.  OTHERWISE, THE ALTERNATIVE SUPPOSEDLY IS INTRAVEINIOUS ANTIBIOTICS.  WE WILL SEE A INFECTIOUS DISEASE DOCTOR ON THURSDAY, UNTIL THEN THEY CALLED IN A SULFA FOR 3 DAYS.   THE DRAWBACK IS THE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS THEY HAVE ON SOME PEOPLE.  THEY MENTIONED THE IV GOING INTO THE HEART IF WE HAVE TO GO THAT ROUTE.