Staff Infections

[concerned daughter in Toledo]

My mother had a staff infection that resulted in a knuckle on her right hand appearing about one inch high and red.  When the infection spread up her hand and into her upper arm, she was placed on intravenous antibiotics, every twelve hours, for a few days.  She was then given a prescription for Augmentin.  Now, she has been hospitalized and the doctor is indicating that due to the failure to respond to Augumentin that he can deduce that it is "coag negative."  I am trying to find some information about the risks, causes, proper treatment, etc., but without knowing the actual diagnosis, its difficult.  Can you shed any light, based upon the information that I have?

[steelergirl315]

This is a question about staff infections and spider bites. My husband was bitten by a brown recluse spider in late January, on the side of his right knee. He went to the doctor about 2 weeks later when the spot got really painful and infected looking. He was treated with Medrol-steriod pack, and augmenton antibiotics. When the bite area started healing, another sore spot, called an eruption came up on his chest. He had to have it lanced, and another round of antibiotics was prescribed. As that one was healing, another eruption accured right above this one. It was lanced, and a sulfur antibiotic (bactrim) was given. They also did a culture for staff infection at my request. They didn't tell us that it turned out to be a form of  staff until almost 4 weeks later, after I started getting eruptions on my leg and face and called them. They gave me a prescription of bactrim to take for 15 days. Will this get rid of the infection, or will I have to go back and have these painful eruptions lanced? We are getting very tired of this and the exspence of going back and forth to the doctors with no relief. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[steelergirl315]

This is a question about staff infections and spider bites. My husband was bitten by a brown recluse spider in late January, on the side of his right knee. He went to the doctor about 2 weeks later when the spot got really painful and infected looking. He was treated with Medrol-steriod pack, and augmenton antibiotics. When the bite area started healing, another sore spot, called an eruption came up on his chest. He had to have it lanced, and another round of antibiotics was prescribed. As that one was healing, another eruption accured right above this one. It was lanced, and a sulfur antibiotic (bactrim) was given. They also did a culture for staff infection at my request. They didn't tell us that it turned out to be a form of  staff until almost 4 weeks later, after I started getting eruptions on my leg and face and called them. They gave me a prescription of bactrim to take for 15 days. Will this get rid of the infection, or will I have to go back and have these painful eruptions lanced? We are getting very tired of this and the exspence of going back and forth to the doctors with no relief. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[steelergirl315]

This is a question about staff infections and spider bites. My husband was bitten by a brown recluse spider in late January, on the side of his right knee. He went to the doctor about 2 weeks later when the spot got really painful and infected looking. He was treated with Medrol-steriod pack, and augmenton antibiotics. When the bite area started healing, another sore spot, called an eruption came up on his chest. He had to have it lanced, and another round of antibiotics was prescribed. As that one was healing, another eruption accured right above this one. It was lanced, and a sulfur antibiotic (bactrim) was given. They also did a culture for staff infection at my request. They didn't tell us that it turned out to be a form of  staff until almost 4 weeks later, after I started getting eruptions on my leg and face and called them. They gave me a prescription of bactrim to take for 15 days. Will this get rid of the infection, or will I have to go back and have these painful eruptions lanced? We are getting very tired of this and the exspence of going back and forth to the doctors with no relief. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[LoryCV]

Have severe COPD/Emphysema.  Lately have been bringing up Phelm slightly brown in color...can anyone tell me what this means?

[Cj-2004]

This is more of a question......
                   Will it spread if I have a staff on my butt and I scratch it because of where all the dead skin is?

[National Jewish]

Staph is short for Staphylococcus aureus.  This is a common bacterium that can cause a serious infection in people.  When a person

[Ellis7]

For info on staph infections see:
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/2109.html
Excerpt:
"Staph (pronounced "staff") is medical quick speak for staphylococcus aureus bacteria. This pesky little bacterium is very common (many people have some living on their skin all the time), but when it enters the human body, usually through an open cut or break in the skin, it can cause infection and trouble anywhere in the body. Staph infections tend to be pus-producing.
Because improper use of antibiotics can help produce resistance to drugs, making future infections much harder to treat, the American Medical Association recommends that patients:

*   follow the directions for any prescription exactly
*   take all of the medicine prescribed (even if one feels better after only a few days)
*   never save old, leftover prescriptions for future use
*   never take anyone else's prescription antibiotics"

Ellis