When your doctor says the word staph, it only means a particular type of bacteria. Staph or staphylococcus has more than 40 serotypes and species of family. While some are needed by the body to function normally, a majority of staph are pathogenic or disease causing.

They commonly attack the Integumentary system or the urinary system via the kidneys and the urethra tubules. Staph infection after surgery is the most common cause of fatality post-op the surgical procedure.

Why do you acquire Staph Infection After Surgery?

Staphylococcus is considered as a normal bacteria living on the surface of the skin. As such it does not cause harm nor does it cause diseases.

However, a break in the continuity of the skin such as a cut or a wound, permits the bacteria to enter the body. It is only when it is not in the skin that it causes disease. Due to the many cuts and stitches that you have to do on a surgical procedure it is only normal to experience staph infection after surgery.

Staphylococcus infection is a very contagious type of bacteria. It is easily spread through direct person to person contact. It is also easily transmitted to other parts of the body if not monitored and addressed immediately.

What to expect from Staph infections?

Post operative staph infections usually cause digestive problems and concerns like nausea, vomiting and gastric upset or gastric pain. This is especially true for patients who needs to be artificially fed through a gastro intestinal tube.

Another common manifestation if a post operative staph infection is the presence of fever. Fever caused by this type of infection is recurring, even after the surgery has been declared over by the surgeon.

Pain is also a common manifestation. The site of the surgery is usually the part that is painful but other surrounding parts can also be affected (referred pain). Pain may vary depending in the severity of the condition. It can be mild, it can be moderate, or it can be very excruciating.

The common observation you will note on the skin of a patient with a staph infection is the formation of blisters that oozes out with pus and very foul smelling discharges.