VP shunt, CSF postive for staph

• By LakaisMom
• Reply 469745
• July 22, 2009 at 1:40 pm
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My son just tested positive for staph in his nose, but we were told it's not a big deal because almost all of us carry it in our noses anyways. And its very common in a nursery situation or out in the community like we are now.

Did they say what kind it is? because MRSA is much tougher to cure as it's antibiotic resistant.

I researched a lot about staph when Lakai got it, so if you have any questions ask away.

I really hope Everest feels better soon. *hugs*

• By LakaisMom
• Reply 469746
• July 22, 2009 at 1:41 pm
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I shouldn't have said "cure" because you can always carry staph..and never have it be a problem. So treat is a better word.

• By Ang365
• Reply 469804
• July 22, 2009 at 2:27 pm
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Mine had staph.. 3x? It was treated, and yes they told me most people have it on our skins?

• By meggs2003
• Reply 469822
• July 22, 2009 at 2:42 pm
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yeah they said that to me also that its alwasy present on our skin. They didnt seem TOO worried aobut it, but i know that staph can be serious so i just got very worried! They said that its very good its not in his blood. so hopefully the antibiotics he is on will kick it in the butt! i just feel like we are getting kicked while we are down here this week! :-(

• By Ang365
• Reply 469904
• July 22, 2009 at 4:03 pm
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Mine had staph.. 3x? It was treated, and yes they told me most people have it on our skins?

• By quadmomma
• Reply 470275
• July 22, 2009 at 9:56 pm
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hi! one of my boys had a staph infection... in the blood. but again, nothing to worry about. it was treated with antibiotics and he was fine days later :)

• By Brayden123
• Reply 470863
• July 23, 2009 at 10:51 am
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Staph in the nose or MRSA is called a colonization and not an active infection. True many people are now colonized with mrsa. But you can get an active infection with MRSA (methicillin resistant staph aureus) which like someone said is difficult to treat. MRSA used to be a hospital acquired infection but has now found it's way out to the community. Your sons csf infection is probably not MRSA since they are not changing his antibiotics. But I would ask to be sure. My son had strep in his csf (aka meningitis). He was started on antibiotics and did very well. He is 4 mo actual 6 weeks adjusted. Good luck. Hope this helps!

• By alang
• Reply 471108
• July 23, 2009 at 1:30 pm
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My son has a shunt and had suspected meningitis while he was in the NICU. My son was diagnosed with sepsis, and after an LP his CSF came back positive for protein, glucose, and red and white cells. The cultures did not ever grow any bacteria. However, because he had a grade IV bleed, they could not tell if it was from the bleed for actual meningitis. He was treated with 21 days of antibiotics as a precaution.

If it were me, this is what I would do. Since staph lives on our skin and the culture could have been contaminated, I would ask for a repeat shunt tap. I would also ask the neos to consult with an infectious disease specialist. If they do think your son has meningitis, some antibiotics cross the blood/brain barrier and some do not. If what he is on does not cross the blood/brain barrier, it will no good to fight an infection in his CSF. An ID doc will know the best antibiotics to use for his particular strain of staph.

I'm not trying to scare you, but this can be serious, and I would make sure the docs are being very proactive.

• By meggs2003
• Reply 471203
• July 23, 2009 at 2:53 pm
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Well we had 2 taps done, the 1st one is the one that came back w/ a positive read for the staph bacteria. So they tapped it again, and there was no growth of staph so they feel the 1st tap was contaminated. He is doing very well! :-) i was there all day, and made me feel so much better. He is on day 4 of his 14 day antibiotics. All of his blood tests are good and his shunt is functioning well.