staph infection

[Louise]

My 22 year old son had a boil a few weeks ago.  We actually thought it was an infected spider bite.  He went to urgent care to get an antibiotic.  Now, two weeks later he has had a couple more.  One got as large as a quarter on his leg and had a huge blister on it.  We called his doctor's office (it was evening) and they had us go to ER.  They drained all three and said it was a staph infection.  They put him on dicloxocillin (500mg) for seven days.  Also did a culture, which we haven't heard back on yet (it has only been two days).

I have a few questions, as have never encountered something like this before.  How contagious is this? He is being cautious and leaving it covered except for cleaning them.  Where could he possibly have gotten something like this?  He is not on a sports team or anything that has close contact.  He got his ear pierced a few years ago.  Could it be a HIV related thing?  Last question, I have seen horror stories on web about staph infections not healing or coming back and being much worse.  Should his dicloxocilin clear this up?  Thanks alot for taking the time to answer all my questions.

Louise

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Staphlococcus (staph) is a common bug that is found normally on the skin.  Anyone can receive a staph infection on the skin during any type of skin breakdown (i.e injury, wound, or insect bite).  Staph is not limited to HIV patients, non-HIV patients can receive skin infections from staph as well.

The horror stories on the web about staph infections are due to staph aureus - which is normally found in a hospital setting.

Dicloxicillin is normally a pretty good antibiotic for the treatment of this.  Other medications to consider would be Keflex (Cephalexin) or Augmentin.  

Unless there is direct contact between the wound and another wound, it is unlikely to be contagious to someone with intact skin and an intact immune system.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[Louise]

My son now has five more small boils starting on  his arm after two days on antibiotics.  Now what?  Is it just too soon for it to work or does he need to go back to doctor?

Louise

[surgeon]

Everyone has staph on their skin; it's a nearly universal bug. The most common thing it does if it causes a problem is produce boils like your son has. Dicloxacillin is a very good drug for it and ought to clear it up. It's not really infectious in that form, especially once the antibiotics are used. It's true staph can be the cause of very serious problems; but usually they occur in a very different setting. It doesn't sound like something to worry about at this point.