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Index of Diseases and Conditions: 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

Staph is short for Staphylococcus, a type of bacteria. There are over 30 types, but Staphylococcus aureus causes most staph infections, including

Skin infections are the most common. They can look like pimples or boils. They may be red, swollen and painful, and sometimes have pus or other drainage. They can turn into impetigo, which turns into a crust on the skin, or cellulitis, a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot.

Anyone can get a staph skin infection. You are more likely to get one if you have a cut or scratch, or have contact with a person or surface that has staph bacteria. The best way to prevent staph is to keep hands and wounds clean. Most staph skin infections are easily treated with antibiotics or by draining the infection. Some staph bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics, making infections harder to treat.


External Resources

eMedicine - Staphylococcal Meningitis - Dr. Lawrence Zumo reports on this form of bacterial meningitis infection often linked to neurosurgery, trauma, and compromised immune system.

eMedicine - Staphylococcal Meningitis - Dr. Lawrence Zumo reports on this form of bacterial meningitis infection often linked to neurosurgery, trauma, and compromised immune system.

MedlinePlus: Staphylococcal Infections - Directory of factsheets, press releases, resources, and articles.

eMedicine - Staphylococcal Infections - Article by Thomas Herchline, MD

Staphylococcal Skin Infections - Factsheet on the conditions.

Postgraduate Medicine: Staphylococcal Infections - Five scientific articles on various aspects of staph.


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Eye Infections
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