What is a staff infection

[ogelburke]

Five weeks ago I had a double disk fusion on my neck with bone fragments taken from my hip area, however, I authorized my orthopedic doctor take care of my carpal tunnel (right hand) while he was doing the surgery.  I should state that I went to see him at the end of June with my concerns and he told me that my hand looked normal.  As of today (7/7/02) the surgery on my hand seems to be only partially healed, as it was when I went to see him on the 27th of June.  The top of the cut is mended together very nicely, but the bottom of the cut has started to seep and is red around the area with white pockets and swollen.  I'm not due to see the doctor until later in the month, but my question is (before I see him) could the lower portion possibly be a staff infection?  As I'm ignorant of what a staff infection is could you possibly tell me what I would be looking for and what are the ramifications of such an infection.  Would it be your opinion is that it could simply be an infection of a normal range or should I be looking at something more serious.  I realize this is just an opinion from you, but it could at least, possibly send me in the right direction to seek the proper medical attention it may deserve.

I thank you for your time and hope to get a response from you soon.  In the email confirmation that I get from this site will it also tell where I could locate your response to my question.  If not, I can only hope that the address to check responses would be at www.medhelp.org.

PS - I received large quantities of antibiotics while I was in the hospital, but none since I have been released.

Thanks again!

Ogelburke

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

"Staff"  (actually "staph") is short for "Staphyloccus aureus," the bacteria perhpas most often responsible for skin infections, especially postoperative ones.

Seeping and white pockets are most certainly not normal healing.  They may indeed represent bacterial infection, staphyloccal or otherwise.

You should see a doctor at once.  If your surgeon can't see you right away (as he no doubt would wish to do), you should go to a walk-in clinic or emergency room.  Your wound needs to be cultured (tested for the presence of bacteria).  In all likelihood you will also need oral or injectable antibiotics, and perhaps surgical exploration of the wound to help any pus reach the surface and drain.

I urge you to take care of this right away, for the healing of your hand and your overall health.

Dr. Rockoff

[ogelburke]

I want to thank you for answering my question.  After reading your response to me today I managed to get into the Doctor's office first thing in the morning.  I'm just hoping that he's as knowledgable about the infection as you seem to be without even seeing it.  I will definately recommend you site and if you wish to be kept updated, I will be more than happy to post a comment after the visit tommorow.

Once again, I thank you very much for your information and help in understanding what the infection may be.

[tony27]

I am a 28 year old female who has lower staff infection constantly.  I have been to the doctor several times to have surgery to remove this problem but the condition keeps getting worse.  The doctors tell me that there is nothing they can do to treat this infection.  It has affected me mentaly and physically and I started  showing tell tale signs when I found out that I was pregnant with my daughter.

Thank You
Tony27

[froggie]

PLEASE HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND STAFF INFECTION.fIRST OF ALL LET ME TELL YOU WHAT HAS HAPPEN .MY MOM HAD KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGY ON AUG 26 AND HAD CAME HOME WITH A FEVER OF 102.5 AND ALSO HER BLOOD LEVEL WAS 7.5 .SHE HAD ALREADY HAD 4 UNITS OF BLOOD GIVEN TO HER.THE PROBLEM IS SHE I TOOK HER TO THE HOSITPAL ER A WEEK AGO TODAY,WITH SEVERE PAIN AND FEVER .NOW SHE IS ON SHOT OF DEMERRAW 100MG,LOCET,MORPHINE DRIP ,HER LEG IS VERY SWOLLEN AND HAS BLISTER ON IT ,THEY DRAINED THE ,BUT DID NOT TAKE A CULTURE OF IT BLISTER.SHE STARTED SCREAMING IN PAIN LAST NITE AND IT THE SAME WAY RIGHT NOW .I JUST LOSTED MY DAD 4 MONTH AGO AND I NEED YOUR OPIOIN I DON;T WANT TO LOSE MOM EITHER.THEY SAY IT IS A INFECTION AND THEY ARE GIVING HER THRU HER IV 1200MG OF A MEDICAL FOR THE INFECTION ,SHE HAS STOPPED EATING FOR TWO WEEKS .I NEED ANSWER FROM SOMEONE ,I THINK SHE HAS STAFF.I;M GOING TO TRY AND SEND A PHOTO OF HER LEG THANK YOU PLEASE HURRY AND ANSWER ME ,NANCY