From the Guidelines
A neck staph infection is a bacterial infection caused by Staphylococcus bacteria, typically Staphylococcus aureus, that affects the skin or deeper tissues of the neck, and treatment usually involves antibiotics such as cephalexin or clindamycin, with the most recent guidelines recommending empiric therapy for community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) for patients at risk or who do not respond to first-line therapy 1.
Key Points to Consider
- The infection often presents as redness, swelling, warmth, pain, and sometimes pus formation in the affected area.
- Treatment may involve antibiotics, incision and drainage of any abscess, and possibly intravenous antibiotics like vancomycin, especially if MRSA is suspected.
- It's essential to complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve quickly.
- Keeping the area clean by washing with mild soap and water, and covering open wounds with clean bandages is crucial.
- Staph bacteria are commonly found on skin and in the nose of healthy individuals but can cause infection when they enter the body through cuts, abrasions, or other breaks in the skin.
Classification and Management
- The 2018 WSES/SIS-E consensus conference recommends classifying skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) based on the necrotizing or non-necrotizing character of the infection, anatomical extension, characteristics of the infection, and clinical condition of the patient 2.
- Superficial infections, such as impetigo, erysipelas, and cellulitis, should be managed with antibiotics against Gram-positive bacteria, and empiric therapy for CA-MRSA should be recommended for patients at risk or who do not respond to first-line therapy 1.
Recent Guidelines
- The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) updated practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft-tissue infections in 2014, which divided infections into purulent and non-purulent, severity (mild, moderate, and severe), and tissue necrosis (necrotizing versus non-necrotizing) 3.
- The US FDA introduced the new definition of acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infection (ABSSSI) to more closely define complicated soft-tissue infection for the purposes of registration trials 2.
From the Research
Definition of Neck Staph Infection
- A Neck Staph infection, also known as a Staphylococcus aureus infection, is a type of bacterial infection caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
- Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacteria that can cause a range of infections, from mild skin infections to life-threatening diseases such as bacteremia and endocarditis 4, 5, 7, 8.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Staphylococcus aureus bacteria can enter the body through cuts or abrasions in the skin, and can also be spread through contact with an infected person or contaminated surface 5, 7.
- Risk factors for developing a Staphylococcus aureus infection include having a weakened immune system, having a medical device such as a catheter or implant, and having a history of previous Staphylococcus aureus infections 4, 7, 8.
Symptoms
- Symptoms of a Neck Staph infection can include redness, swelling, and pain in the affected area, as well as fever and pus or discharge from the infection site 5, 6, 7.
- In severe cases, Staphylococcus aureus infections can cause more serious symptoms such as sepsis, meningitis, and endocarditis 4, 7, 8.
Treatment
- Treatment for a Neck Staph infection typically involves antibiotics, such as penicillinase-resistant penicillins, cephalosporins, or vancomycin, depending on the severity of the infection and the susceptibility of the bacteria 4, 5, 6, 8.
- In some cases, surgical drainage or debridement may be necessary to treat the infection 8.
- It is essential to complete the full course of antibiotic treatment as prescribed by a healthcare professional to ensure that the infection is fully cleared and to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance 4, 5, 8.