health

Minor skin infections caused by staph bacteria often can be treated with
an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment, or they can heal on their own.
The choice of the antibiotic often depends on the severity of the infection,
its location, and the susceptibility* of the particular staph strain. If a
person has an abscess that stems from a staph infection, surgery to drain
the pus may be necessary in addition to antibiotics, to allow the infection
to heal.
More serious staph infections, such as endocarditis, osteomyelitis, TSS,
and scalded skin syndrome, usually require hospitalization and supportive
care, such as antibiotics, intravenous* fluids to prevent dehydration, and
other medications. Endocarditis caused by staph may require surgery in
which the infected, damaged heart valve is removed and an artificial valve
is inserted. Scalded skin syndrome is treated with intravenous antibiotics
so that the skin can be protected from becoming dehydrated and, consequently,
from peeling off.
Because antibiotics are used widely to treat both minor and serious
infections caused by staph and other bacteria, some strains of bacteria have
become resistant to common antibiotics. Discovery of new medications
and forms of treatment are important, and scientists continue to work in
the early 2000s on developing a Staphylococcus aureus vaccine that might
help people with weakened immune systems resist staph infections