Staph infections
Key facts
- Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria are a common type of bacteria, which don't usually cause any harm.
- There are many different types of staph infection. Your symptoms will depend on the type of infection you have.
- Most staph skin infections are treated with antibiotics.
- Good hygiene can help prevent staph infections.
What is a staph infection?
Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria cause staph infections. These are a common type of bacteria that don't usually cause any harm. These bacteria are also known as 'golden staph'.
Staph bacteria are often found on your skin or in your nose. Even healthy people can have staph bacteria on their skin. There are many different types of staph bacteria.
Sometimes the bacteria can get inside your body and multiply, causing an infection. This may happen through a wound or injury.
Who is at risk of a staph infection?
Anyone can develop a staph infection. Some people are more prone to staph infections than others.
Those who are more likely to get staph infections are people who:
- have medical equipment entering their body — such as kidney dialysis or a catheter
- have been in hospital (these people are in contact with healthcare workers and other sick people)
- inject drugs
- have contact with someone who has a staph infection
What are the symptoms of staph infections?
Your symptoms will depend on the type of staph infection that you have.
If you have a skin infection such as boils, you may have:
- redness
- swelling
- pain
- heat
- pus-filled sore
Some staph infections can be serious. Symptoms of a serious staph infection can be:
- feeling unwell
- a temperature above 38°C
- uncontrollable shakes
- shortness of breath
If you have these symptoms you need to seek medical care as soon as possible. Call triple-zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
What causes staph infections?
A staph infection happens when staphylococcus bacteria get inside your body. Staph can cause an infection in any part of your body.
Staph skin infections
Symptoms of a staph skin infection include redness and swelling of the infected area. It can feel painful or hot. Sores are often filled with pus.
Staph infections of the skin can be:
- boils and abscesses
- impetigo
- wound infection
- cellulitis
- staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS)
There can be a lot of skin contact in crowded places like schools and childcare. This makes it easy for staph bacteria to be passed from one person's skin to another.
You can learn more about this type of infection in healthdirect's article on staph skin infection.
Invasive staph infections
Invasive staph infections are far less common than skin infections. However, they are usually worse. There are different types of invasive staph infection.
Staphylococcal food poisoning
In Australia, about 1 in 3 cases of staph food poisoning are linked to commercial caterers.
Common food poisoning symptoms are:
You can avoid food poisoning by keeping high standards of food hygiene. Food safety is important throughout the cooking, storage and serving process.
When should I see my doctor?
See your doctor if you think you have a staph infection.
See your doctor if:
- your infection is getting worse or spreading
- your infection lasts more than a week
- you have a weakened immune system
You should also see your doctor if you keep getting staph infections.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
How are staph infections diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and will examine you.
In some cases, your doctor will take a swab from the infection. This will be sent for laboratory testing.
How are staph infections treated?
Treatment of your staph infection will depend on your symptoms.
Sometimes the only treatment needed is draining of pus.
If you have a staph infection, you will need to avoid contact with young children and people who are chronically ill.
Medicines for staph infections
Most staph skin infections are treated with antibiotics. It's important to take the full course of antibiotics. If your symptoms do not get better, you should go back to your doctor.
Serious staph infections may need to be treated in hospital. In hospital you will be given intravenous antibiotics. This means the antibiotic is given through a drip or tube straight into your body.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
What are the complications of staph infections?
Staph bacteria can sometimes cause serious infections like:
- septicaemia (blood poisoning)
- pneumonia (lung infection)
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?
Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are more difficult to treat. This is because the bacteria are resistant to some commonly used antibiotics. If the bacteria are resistant, antibiotics won't work.
There are still some antibiotics that can be used to treat an infection caused by MRSA.
Antibiotic resistance is caused by overuse of antibiotics. Doctors are now more cautious about prescribing antibiotics.
You should only use antibiotics when you really need them. This can help to reduce the risk of bacteria becoming resistant.
Can staph infections be prevented?
You can lower your chance of getting a staph infection through good personal hygiene.
You should wash your hands:
- after going to the bathroom
- after blowing your nose
- before handling and eating food
- after handling animals, including domestic pets
- before and after touching or cleaning an infected part of your body
Always wash your hands well with soap and running water. Then dry them with a clean towel or disposable paper towel.
Do not share personal items, such as:
- toothbrushes
- towels
- wash cloths
- clothes
- razors
- nail scissors and tweezers
You can avoid food poisoning by keeping your food safe:
- Shop with a cooler bag.
- Defrost food in the fridge.
- Wash your hands before food preparation.
- Always cook food properly.
- Keep cooked foods separate to raw foods.
- Follow storage and cooking instructions.
Do not handle food if:
- you are sick with vomiting or diarrhoea
- you have open sores and cuts
How to prevent the spread of staph skin infections
Take extra care if you share a home with someone who has a staph infection. You can lower your chance of catching the infection by washing your hands after touching the person.
Open wounds should be covered with a waterproof dressing.
Resources and support
Learn about hand hygiene in languages other than English.
You can find out more about antibiotic resistance on the Australian Government Antimicrobial Resistance webpage.
The Health Translations website has information on MRSA in the community, in English and other languages.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: November 2024
