Staph. Infections a Common Yet Serious Problem

Top 11. Mar 7, 2003 10:13 PM

» bfolliott - Staph Aureus in Lungs/heart valve

My sister 45 yrs old. Contracted nosocomial infection with bacteremia, endocarditis, her kidneys are not functioning and she is on dialysis and under sedation on Propofol. She is very endematous. Started on Vancomycin and later moved to Nafcillin. Both have failed. Bacteria has stopped growing but the bacteria has caused numerous cavities in the lungs with no signs of abatement she is also on a ventilator. An attempt at inserting an NG tube in the beginning has caused consistent bleeding from the nose and mouth. Previous hospitilization for a possible slipped disc or sciatica one month ago. BP fluctuates and she spikes fevers almost every other day. Doctor is not sure what there next step is going to be or what antibiotic will help her. I need information on what antibiotic out there can help her. My sister is in Kaiser Oakland, CA which is an HMO. Please hurry as she may not last for much longer.

-- posted by bfolliott

Top 12. Mar 21, 2003 1:11 PM

» SwampWoman - Aureus Staph Infection

Just today, we were notified that my grandmother, who is currently undergoing Chemotherapy for Cancer has developed an Aureus Staph Infection. She was referred to a Wound Care Center for treatment earlier in the week, and now to an Infectious Disease Specialist. I'm at a total loss on where to look for information on this, and if this will worsen the side effects that shes already experiencing from the Chemo. Any help would be greatly appreciated.. Thank you for your time.

-- posted by SwampWoman

Top 13. Apr 28, 2003 7:14 PM

» joalex - Lung staph infection

My mother is 80 and was recently transferred from the nursing home to the hospital with apparent pneumonia that is now a staph infection in her lungs. She was been on IV vancomycin for just under a week and they are about to do the second bronchioscope tomorrow.

A bit more background - she smoked for 60 years (quit in May 01) and in Oct 01 had bronchitis and double pneumonia. IFebeb of this year she broke her hip.

My concerns are these: 1)Are multibronchioscopesopes unusual to treat this disease? She had one last Tuesday and is going to have another one this Tuesday.
2)How long is reasonable forvancomycinmycin to be given before it gets rid of the disease?
3)Should I be real concerned if the Dr. tells me the infection is still there when he calls tomorrow? vancomycincomycin is given every 2 days currently and it seems that towards the end of the two days before getting the next dose, she seems to re-lapse a bit. The day after the medicine is given, she seems to do pretty good. Is this norTonite5)Tonite, though she was having a hard time breathing, her blood oxygen level was 96% and her pulse was 70.

Thanks for your time and response.

-- posted by joalex

Top 14. May 5, 2003 5:54 PM

» Skylark34 - MRSA

My daughter, age 34, has Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus. (MRSA) In January, she developed boils on both buttocks - so infected that they had to lance and drain them. They tested the fluid, and found that it was MRSA.

Since then, she has had two other outbreaks, but not as bad as the first. She has taken Keflex, and so far, it has worked, But obviously iut has not killed the MRSA completely.

What I would like to know, is if this makes her more prone to get the other staph infections mentioned here, like toxic shock and heart valve infection?? I am so afraid that she will get seriously ill, and because she lives alone, there would be no one to help her. I live 350 miles from her.

She was told that she could have the Vancomycin, but that it would have to be in a permanent IV type thing inserted in her arm?? She refused because she was afraid of doing it at home by herself. (she lives alone.) Also she cannot afford to lose her job. As long as the Keflex is working, she wants to continue using it for outbreaks.

Is this safe? I am so worried about her! I would appreciate any information that anyone has on this?

-- posted by Skylark34

Top 15. May 15, 2003 10:19 AM

» AlwaysTrue2You - Re: STAPH UNDER THE ARM

Sofie, I am experiencing the same thing you are. I have been for a little over a year as well. I am now on my third antibotic, and it seems not to be working as well. I was sent to a specialist by my PCP. He has me on the antibotic now, but I assume he will want to do surgery if the medication does not work. My PCP told me it was a Stap Infection, and the specialist told me it's a infection in the pore. I have a aunt that went through the same thing, and they removed her sweat glands from under her arm, and she hasnt had problems since.

-- posted by AlwaysTrue2You

Top 16. May 31, 2003 6:34 PM

» apollo79 - Re: MRSA

In response to message posted by Skylark34:

Hello I am a male same age as your daughter who was diagnosed with MSRA. Unfortunatley, I was mis-diagnosed twice and placed on two anti-biotics, one of which was keflex. Since I did not know I had staph, and the symptoms had vanished I stopped taking the meds. Two weeks later, they came back on my lower buttock-I went to a different doctor, when I was finally diagnosed I was immediatley placed on a strong anti-biotic called CLINDAMYCIN. This killed the bacteria-however long time use does have really bad side effects. I now have these scars I dont know what to about but I wanted to send you this message just in case you daugher develops a resistance to the keflex. I was instructed not to take keflex because of that reason. Thank you.
Apollo

-- posted by apollo79

Top 17. Jun 3, 2003 8:48 PM

» Dee82 - Help us please?

My 22 year old brother broke his leg and they had to put a plate and pins in. He got an infection and now they've told us it is staph. We tried to find out what that means for him, but the doctors are treating us like we're stupid for not knowing all about it, and just said "well obviously, it's stapholococci bacteria" or something like that, without explaining the consequences.

Will he be okay? What could happen to him? He lives in a fairly small town, and it's hard to find people to ask about it. Can you help us please, we're really worried.

Thanks.

-- posted by Dee82

Top 18. Jun 11, 2003 8:24 AM

» NealC - Re: Help us please?

In response to message posted by Dee82:

Answering your questions is difficult. He could be just fine. However, he could have a serious infection that may be diffucult to eliminate and may require further surgery to get rid of the infection. Unfortunately, it all depends on how resistant the staph is to antibiotics and if it has established itself on the plate and/or pins in your brother's leg. Sorry I could not be more helpful than that.

-- posted by NealC

Top 19. Jul 10, 2003 10:54 AM

» jrovolis - Re: Re: STAPH UNDER THE ARM

In response to message posted by AlwaysTrue2You:

I had some bumps, rash and now boils for a week now under my left arm - I orignially thought it was a recation to the deoderant. Went to my Dr. this morning and she took one look and said.. AHH.. Staph! I'm on Cephalexin now andd I hope this does the trick. Good luck to everyone else... I hope your cases are just super rare and you have a good recovery.

-- posted by jrovolis