can a staff infection be fatal if untreated?

Question

my uncle has a staff infection. I know its all over his arms/chest and sometimes on his head. He refuses to go to a doctor. He doesnt eat right, poor personal grooming and 64 years old. Can this be fatal for him?

Answer 1

I would try to get your uncle to go to a doctor, and I know you have been trying! can you call your family doctor's office and ask the nurse there? or maybe just call any doctor's office and tell them you'd like to ask the nurse something-maybe they'll let you thru (?) or maybe call some county health agency, see if they have any services you need or someone you can ask questions to, and maybe qualify your uncle for home visit from a county nurse?

i think the staph germ can go systemic -i don't know how it works, and i'm not sure, and sure not a doctor, but i know they treat it with strong antibiotics (via PIC line). i knew a woman once (29 years old at the time) with amputated leg above knee for staph infection acquired at hospital when had knee surgery. it never cured itself, she had a tube in her chest for IV antibiotics 24/7, all from staph infection acquired while a patient in hospital. too common these days, i wonder why the staph infection is so common, even prevalent in hospitals? especially the resistant MRSA (methecillin resistant stappholococcus aureaus). they treat that with IV Vancomycin.
This is about all I know about it. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Workingirl is right!!

Anyone that neglects their personal hygiene and eats poorly can have a much shorter life span than those that are cleaner/healthier.

I want to add this: when they act like children, treat them like children. Meaning, you tell him in no uncertain terms that he IS going to the doctor. Call and make him an appointment and take him. Be prepared to go to his house the day of the appointment and be very firm with him until he gets into the car.

I would try to get him cleaned up. If he refuses you can tell him that people that refuse to shower voluntarily will be bathed against their will by large MALE home health care workers. That ought to light a fire under his butt. A doctor needs to see him, he could have serious issues that need to be addressed.

There also has to be repercussions if he doesn't shower and go to the doctor. Like no more visits from you, your kids, etc. Threaten if you must, but I would try anything to get him to the doctor. Trust me, he doesn't want to be admitted to the hospital and scrubbed by a stranger. It's not dignified.

Answer 4

Are ALL of the staff infected? Haha.. ok, sorry.
It's spelled "staph", not "staff". And yes, it definitely can be fatal. He needs to get to a doctor right away. Or an emergency room if possible.

Answer 5

Yes, eventually this can fatal if untreated because of his age. If untreated and attacks his limbs, he could possibly loose.

I work in a nursing home and see it everyday.

You really need to convince him to go to a doctor.

Answer 6

this can totally be fatal to him because of his old age and poor grooming. He should probably go ge this checked out before it gets worse.

Answer 7

Depends if it remains superficial. If it spreads into the bloodstream, then yes, it can be fatal; it can lead to multiorgan failure, which has a poor prognosis. This can be especially dangerous to people who are weakened by e.g. not eating right, and to older people.

Answer 8

How do you know he has a staph infection if he refuses to go to a doctor?

Answer 9

Yes. Get him to a doctor