Signs and Symptoms of Staph Infection
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Medically reviewed by Jane Kim, MD
Staph infections are caused by a widespread class of bacteria called Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria. Over 30 types of this bacteria can cause symptoms, but Staphylococcus aureus is the most common. Symptoms typically affect your skin and soft tissues, causing swelling and boils. Bacteria can also spread to other parts of your body, including your lungs, digestive system, and blood.
Symptom severity depends on where the staph infection spreads. For example, skin symptoms start mildly, get worse over time, and might require treatment. Food poisoning due to staph can cause gastrointestinal (digestive) symptoms as soon as 30 minutes after eating and often resolve on their own.
Staph infections are common and can lead to dangerous complications. Therefore, it’s important to know their signs as well as when to contact a healthcare provider.
Skin Symptoms
A staph infection most commonly affects your skin. Symptoms arise as bacteria enter your body, usually through a cut. This causes inflammation and fluid buildup. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Boils
A staph infection usually causes painful, fluid-filled boils (furuncles) to form in hair follicles. Follicles are tiny openings on your skin through which hairs grow. Over time, these boils may break, draining pus.
Boils often form on areas like your face, neck, armpits, and thighs. They may also form clusters called carbuncles, often on your back or the nape of your neck. Treatment might include warm, hot compresses or surgery to drain large boils.
Wound Infection
Staph bacteria are often associated with a wound or surgery-site infection. Treatment might include antibiotics or surgical debridement (thoroughly cleaning the wound and removing all infection tissue). Typical signs of this type of staph infection include:
Skin that’s hot to the touch
Redness and swelling
Pus discharge
Blisters
Gray or black tissue (in more advanced cases)
The wound or surgery site not healing
Cellulitis
Staph infection of your skin can also cause cellulitis, especially around wounds, surgical sites, cuts, or other areas of broken skin. Cellulitis is a common skin condition that causes patches of painful, inflamed, and red skin that feel hot and tender. These areas can become pitted (like an orange peel) or form blisters. Cellulitis often develops on your legs and feet. Treatment includes antibiotics.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a highly contagious yet usually mild staph infection seen mostly in children 2-5 years old. It causes red, itchy sores to develop, often around the mouth and nose or on limbs. These sores eventually burst and drain fluids before developing into a honey-colored, scabby crust. Treatment includes antibiotics.
Scalded Skin Syndrome
Also known as Ritter’s disease, this skin infection most commonly affects newborns. It's rare in people older than 6 years old. Scalded skin syndrome begins with a fever. Patches of tender red skin form within 24-48 hours, followed by large blisters that break, draining fluid. Skin peels, often in large sections. Treatment includes antibiotics and often burn dressings.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a common and generally benign (not harmful) skin condition that typically involves inflammation of hair follicles, tiny openings on your skin through which hairs grow.
Superficial bacterial folliculitis is the most common type of folliculitis. It's typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Symptoms include rashes or tiny bumps called pustules that might resemble acne. It usually resolves on its own.
Related: 4 Infections That Can Affect Your Skin Health—and 6 Ways To Prevent Them
Digestive Symptoms
Staph bacteria are a frequent cause of food poisoning, which you contract by consuming contaminated food. Symptoms begin as soon as 30 minutes after you eat and can last anywhere from several hours to several days. They include:
Stomach pain and cramping
Vomiting
Fever
Dehydration symptoms, including dizziness, light-headedness, and headache
Blood Infection Symptoms
A staph infection can become dangerous if it spreads to the blood, a condition known as bacteremia. This can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Sepsis is the body’s extreme physical response to infection or injury. It causes a whole-body immune reaction (inflammatory response) with varying symptoms. Possible symptoms include:
Rapid heart rate
Weak pulse
Confusion or disorientation
Body pain or aches
Fever
Chills, shivering, or feeling very cold
Sweaty, clammy skin
Related: Sepsis Can Cause a Red Line on Your Skin—Here's What You Need To Know
Breast Symptoms
Staph bacteria can also spread to the breast tissue of a person who breastfeeds. This leads to an infection called lactational mastitis. Breastmilk buildup due to blocked milk ducts is a common cause of mastitis, but bacteria can also enter the breast through a cracked or sore nipple. Mild mastitis might resolve with home remedies, but more severe cases might require medical treatment, like antibiotics.
Signs of mastitis include:
Redness or red marks on the skin
Pain and tenderness
Fever
Chills
Headache
Abscesses (pus-filled bumps or pockets)
Bone and Joint Symptoms
Staph infection of the bone, also known as osteomyelitis, is an advanced form of the infection. Up to 40% of diagnosed cases are chronic or recurrent. Risk factors include artificial joints, blood infection, chronic disease, and broken bone surgery.
The symptoms arise as the bacteria colonize the layers of the bone, causing your immune system to respond. Typical signs of osteomyelitis include:
Swelling at the site of the infection
A feeling of warmth around the affected area
Dull pain with or without movement
Fever
Chills
Fatigue or lack of energy
Staph bacteria can also spread joints, a condition known as septic arthritis. This leads to inflammation and causes swelling, stiffness, and pain.
Lung Symptoms
Staph bacteria that spread to the lungs cause staphylococcal pneumonia. This severe complication is most often associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a staph strain resistant to certain antibiotics. Lung tissue inflammation leads to a range of symptoms, including:
Coughing up phlegm
High fever
Chills
Shortness of breath
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Heart Symptoms
Staph bacteria that spread to your heart can also lead to serious complications. Endocarditis is an infection of the tissue that lines heart valves and chambers (endocardium). It causes severe inflammation as well as organ and tissue damage if it spreads to other parts of your body. The condition requires immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of endocarditis include:
Fever and chills
Chest pain
Persistent cough
Breathing difficulties
Swelling in the limbs
Painful red bumps on the skin
Painless, flat spots on the feet or palms
Toxic Shock Syndrome
In rare cases, a staph infection can cause an all-system immune reaction known as toxic shock syndrome (TSS). In severe cases, toxic shock syndrome causes organ failure. It's a medical emergency with several distinct symptoms, including:
High fever
Sunburn-like rash
Vomiting
Diarrhea
A sudden drop in blood pressure
Confusion
Symptoms in Children
Infants and children are more susceptible to a staph infection because their immune systems are still developing. Rates are particularly high during the first year. Overall, Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacterial infection in this population.
Signs of a staph infection in infants and children resemble those of adults and mostly affect the skin. Young children are also more likely to develop impetigo. Typical symptoms include:
Boils
Draining fluids or pus
Fever
Sweaty or clammy skin
Chills
Headache
Signs of dehydration, such as dry or sticky mouth, and no tears when crying
Drowsiness and crankiness (infants and toddlers)
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Most staph infections resolve on their own. However, they can become very serious or even life-threatening. Contact a healthcare provider if you develop pus-filled blisters or have fever alongside other symptoms.
Any sign of complications, such as endocarditis or pneumonia, are medical emergencies. Get emergency help if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Severe fever or chills
Lack of responsiveness, confusion, or other cognitive symptoms
Shortness of breath
Loss of consciousness
Rapid or irregular heart rate
Swelling that doesn’t go away
A Quick Review
Staph infections are caused by Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria. Symptoms depend on the body part affected. Pain and swelling, blisters, fluid drainage, fever, and chills are among the more common signs of skin infection.
A staph infection can become severe or life-threatening if it spreads to the heart, blood, or other parts of your body. This requires immediate medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a staph infection go away on its own?
Most cases of staph infection resolve on their own as your body’s immune system fights off the infection. However, you may have persistent or worsening symptoms, especially if you have a weakened immune system—as with chronic disease, cancer treatment, or recent surgery. In these cases, you’ll need antibiotics to clear the symptoms.
How contagious are the symptoms of a staph infection?
Some forms of staph infection are contagious. For example, if you have a skin infection—the most common type—direct contact with another person’s skin or an object like a towel or a piece of clothing can spread the disease. Staph can also spread when people with symptoms handle food, causing food poisoning.
Should you quarantine with a staph infection?
A complete quarantine isn’t required for a staph infection, but you can prevent spreading it. Keep affected areas clean, wash your hands regularly, keep wounds or surgical sites covered, and do not cook for others while symptomatic. In addition, don’t share clothes, towels, or athletic equipment.
What kinds of soaps/products get rid of staph infection symptoms?
Cold compresses and washing the affected area with soap and water can help reduce staph skin infection symptoms like swelling and pain. Antibacterial soaps containing chlorhexidine—used before surgery to kill bacteria—might help reduce symptoms and spreading the infection to others.
You may need prescription antibiotic ointments for more severe infections. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen), can also help with pain and inflammation.
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