Can Keflex Treat Staph?

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Babz Bell Profile
Babz Bell answered
Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, or staph, are a common factor in the cause of skin infections. Symptoms of staph infections depend on where an infection is located and can include:

- Boils, or furuncles, which are abscesses in the skin.
- Folliculitis, an infection situated on hair follicles.
- Cellulitis, a localized infection resulting in the skin being painful, warm and red.
- Impetigo, which may either cause blisters or crusted, honey colored lesions on affected skin.
- Paronychia, where the skin folds of nails are infected.

In addition to these skin infections, staph may also cause a blood infection known as bacteremia; endocarditis, an infection of heart valves; abscesses deep within the body; a lymph gland infection known as lymphadenitis or infections of the lymph channels, known as lymphangitis.

Other conditions caused by staph bacteria may include bone infections, or osteomyelitis; septic arthritis, styes, toxic shock syndrome, food poisoning and scalded skin syndrome.
Unfortunately, MRSA, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is also resistant to penicillin, cephalosporins and amoxicillin, is now also becoming quite common.

Before a suitable treatment can be prescribed, tests are required whether the infection is caused by the normal staph aureus, MRS or another type of bacteria.

The usual treatment, antistaphylococcal antibiotics, for staph infections may range from antibiotic creams, such as Bactobran or Altabax, for impetigo to drainage and warm compresses for boils and oral or intravenous antibiotics for more serious and/ or persistent infections.

For most of the common staph infections, oral antibiotics like the first generation cephalosporins Duricef or Keflex will be prescribed, so yes, Keflex can treat staph.
For community transmitted MRSA infections, oral antibiotics such as TMP-SMX or Bactrim may be sufficient, while the more serious, multi drug resistant MRSA infections may require hospitalisation and treatment with vancomycin. Some cases may in addition require surgical drainage.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
I was prescribed Keflex for a lower abdominal staph infection. What Dena is talking about is MRSA, which is not treatable with Keflex, however Keflex will treat a normal staph infection.

But go see a doctor, the doses will be very different depending on the size and strength of the infection. Don't search for medical advice on the internet. Go see a doctor.
Steven Vakula Profile
Steven Vakula answered
Staph is never treated in my experience, it is maintained with hope of controlling the condition. Staph has become very difficult to treat as it has adapted to antibiotics very successfully. If you have it you need to see a doctor and keep yourself very clean and also be very conscious of what you are toughing and how you are touching things as it can and is transmitted in this manner.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Best to go and see a dermatologist. Keflex is the most prescribed drug for a normal staff infection, but won't work for MRSA. Usually the doctor will run Keflex for a week and see how you react. If there is no change after a week, they will step you up to a more heavy duty antibiotic that will work against resistant strains. The other option is to have it cultured to see exactly what you need. Go see a dermatologist though, not to be toyed with!
Dena May Profile
Dena May answered
Keflex is not normally given if ever for staph infection. Staph is very dangerous and you really need to see a doctor again.
Cameron Wesley Profile
Cameron Wesley answered
Yes keflex works for mrsa I thats what they gave me after they cut me open. But I now have a staph infection will the keflex still work I have a lil left over from my mrsa?

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