Staph carrier

[Noon1e]

Hi,
My sister was told she was a staph carrier many years ago and has now has recurring underarm boil like infections and is having mouth (from a car accident) issues that seems to be infected.  She is trying to find out if she is always going to be a carrier or was that just at that point in time?  The Dr. opened the underarm boil-like thing yesterday and it was very nasty and wanted to culture it, but she didn't want to do it.  I think she needs to have it cultured and see what it is.  She was not put on antibiotics, but I believe she needs to go back and have it cultured so they can help her with this problem.  She seems to always have issues and there is odor from her mouth area as well.  

[Noon1e]

Many thanks!!! She is doing much better, but the culture didn't turn up anything....as usual!!! This stuff is complicated!!!  Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! And take care as well!

[JGF25]

I know this is a late answer but I hope that your sister did go back and get it cultured.  Staph aureus can be antibiotic resistant (MRSA and to a lesser extent VRSA) and it is important to know what this particular bug is susceptible to so that it can be properly treated.  We have Staph on our skin just as normal flora.  To be labeled a "carrier" makes me think that she is a MRSA carrier but of course I'm just guessing based on the word "carrier" since we all carry staph on our skin.  Let us know how it went for your sister.  Take care.