A staph infection is most commonly caused by a type of bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In children, staph infections most frequently occur on the skin, but they can also develop within the body. Treatment requires antibiotic medication to eliminate the infection and resolve symptoms. Speak with your pediatrician if your child develops symptoms of a staph infection.
Skin Lesions
If your child has a staph infection of the skin, he may develop several different types of skin lesions. The Mayo Clinic reports that boils---pus-filled lesions within oil glands or hair follicles---are the most common symptoms of staph infection. Boils can be red, swollen and painful, and they can develop anywhere on your child's body, including her face, buttocks or inner thighs. A staph infection can also cause your child to develop impetigo, a contagious skin infection that causes an itchy, crusty lesion to appear on the face or extremities. Cellulitis, an infection beneath the skin, can also develop, in which case your child may experience swollen regions of skin, typically appearing on the legs. An infant with a staph infection can develop scalded skin syndrome, which can cause a rash or blisters. Skin lesions caused by a staph infection are typically mild and can be resolved quickly with treatment.
Flu-like Symptoms
If your child develops a staph infection after ingesting contaminated food, she may exhibit a number of flu-like symptoms. Severe abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea can develop in children within 1 hour after eating staph-contaminated food, and these symptoms may continue for several days.
Pneumonia or Endocarditis
If a staph infection enters your child's bloodstream, a condition known as bacteremia, the bacteria can infect the internal organs. If the bacteria reaches the lungs, you child can develop pneumonia. Symptoms of pneumonia include fever, difficulty breathing, cough, headache, muscle pain and fatigue. Staph bacteria that reaches the lining of the heart can cause your child to develop endocarditis. Symptoms of endocarditis in children include fever, difficulty breathing, heart murmur, night sweats, pale skin or swelling of the feet or legs. If left untreated, this condition can be life-threatening.
