A :
B :
C :
D :
E :
F :
G :
H :
I :
J :
K :
L :
M :
N :
O :
P :
Q :
R :
S :
T :
U :
V :
W :
X :
Y :
Z
Staphylococcal Infections
Medical Questions » Staphylococcal Infections
| Name: Staphylococcal Infections |
| Also known as: |
| Staphylococcal bacterial infections in the lungs (pneumonia), eye, skin, brain (meningitis), gut and other parts of the body. Methicillin is one of the most potent forms of penicillin, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is becoming a serious problem, because it is difficult to treat and tends to occur in hospitals where large quantities of antibiotics are used. A fortunately rare development is that of vancomycin and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VMRSA) infections, which usually cause pneumonia in debilitated patients admitted to large hospitals. |
Causes of Staphylococcal Infections
The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (golden staph). |
Symptoms of Staphylococcal Infections
Depends on area involved, but will include a fever, tiredness, loss of appetite and pain in the infected tissue. |
Tests for Staphylococcal Infections
Blood tests will show presence of infection, and pus, tissue swab or sample from infected area can be cultured to identify the responsible bacteria. |
Treatment for Staphylococcal Infections
Most forms susceptible to antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporins. MRSA: patients will need to be given high doses of special antibiotics (eg. vancomycin) by injection or drip, and isolated and nursed in such a way that the hospital staff cannot transmit the infection to other patients (barrier nursing). VMRSA: at present there are no antibiotics available to treat this infection.
|
Complications of Staphylococcal Infections of its treatment
Permanent damage to infected organs. |
Likely Outcome of Staphylococcal Infections
Very good with normal infections. Most patients with MRSA can be successfully treated, but it may take several weeks of intensive treatment. VMRSA is often fatal. |
|
|
