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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Staph infections can range from minor skin problems to endocarditis, a life-threatening inflammation of your heart valve lining. As a result, signs and symptoms of staph infections vary widely, depending on the location and severity of the infection.
Skin infections
Skin infections caused by staph bacteria include:
- Boils. The most common type of staph infection is the boil, a pocket of pus that develops in a hair follicle or oil gland. The skin over the infected area usually becomes red and swollen. If a boil breaks open, it may drain pus, blood or an amber-colored liquid. Boils occur most often under the arms or around the groin or buttocks.
- Impetigo. This contagious, often painful rash can occur in all ages, but it is most common in young children and infants. The types of impetigo caused by staph bacteria usually feature large blisters that may ooze fluid and develop a honey-colored crust. These sores occur most commonly around the nose and mouth.
- Cellulitis. This type of infection causes the skin to look red and swollen, to the point that the hair follicles create dimples similar to the appearance of an orange peel. Cellulitis occurs most often in the lower legs and feet of older persons.
- Scalded skin syndrome. Affecting mostly newborns, this condition features fever, a rash and sometimes blisters. When the blisters break, the top layer of skin comes off — leaving a red, raw surface that looks like a burn.
Food poisoning
Signs and symptoms of staph-related food poisoning usually come on quickly — as soon as one to six hours after you've eaten contaminated food. The illness often leaves just as suddenly as it came, and most people recover in a day or two, though the effects can be more serious and longer lasting in children and older adults. Symptoms include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Bacteremia
Also known as blood poisoning, bacteremia occurs when staph bacteria enter a person's bloodstream. A persistent fever is one sign of bacteremia. The bacteria can travel to locations deep within your body, to produce infections affecting:
- Internal organs, such as your heart (endocarditis) or lungs (pneumonia)
- Surgically implanted devices, such as artificial joints or cardiac pacemakers
Toxic shock syndrome
This life-threatening condition has been linked to the use of certain types of tampons and, less often, to skin wounds and surgery. It usually develops suddenly, with:
- High fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- A rash on your palms and soles that resembles sunburn
- Confusion
- Muscle aches
- Seizures
- Headache
Septic arthritis
Septic arthritis is often caused by a staph infection. The bacteria usually target the knees, but other joints can be affected, including your ankle, hip, wrist, elbow or shoulder. Symptoms may include:
- Joint swelling
- Severe pain in the affected joint
- Fever
- Shaking chills
When to see a doctor
Go to the doctor if you or your child has:
- An area of red, irritated or painful skin
- Pus-filled blisters
- Fever
You may also want to consult your doctor if:
- Skin infections are being passed from one family member to another
- Two or more family members have skin infections at the same time
- Moreillon P, et al. Staphylococcus aureus (including staphylococcal toxic shock). In. Mandell GL, et al. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/130084916-6/826085114/1259/1580.html#4-u1.0-B0-443-06643-4..50195-1_6326. Accessed April 2, 2009.
- Endocarditis. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/endo/endo_all.html. Accessed April 6, 2009.
- Staphylococcus aureus: Pathogenicity. In: Cohen J, et al. Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/130084916-6/826085114/1209/650.html. Accessed April 6, 2009.
- Archer GL. Staphylococcal infections. In: Goldman L. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/130655031-2/826443940/1492/1112.html#4-u1. Accessed April 8, 2009.
- Baddour LM. Cellulitis and erysipelas. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 8, 2009.
- Staphylococcal food poisoning. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/staphylococcus_food_g.htm. Accessed April 8, 2009.
- Fowler VC, et al. Complications of staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 8, 2009.
- Kirkland EB, et al. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and athletes. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2008;59:494.
- Young LS. Sepsis and septic shock. Merck Manual Home Edition. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec17/ch191/ch191c.html. Accessed April 8, 2009.
- Staphylococcus aureus (SA): Antibiotic resistance (general). National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih1/diseases/activities/activity5_vrsa-database.htm. Accessed April 9, 2009.
- Community-associated MRSA information for the public. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nciod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_public.html. Accessed April 9, 2009.
