Question about Staph

J

jonandlindsay

New member
My 2-1/2 yr. old daughter has been culturing Staph Aureus since her first throat culture at 6 mo. At the clinic we were going to then, they told us a majority of people with CF culture Staph and it's no big deal, nothing to worry about, and no need to treat it. Okay... I know that's not true. I know having Staph may not be effecting her badly right now, but it could/will in the future. We have moved within the last year and go to a different clinic now. Ella is still culturing Staph, but the new place says the next time she needs to go on an antibiotic, they'll put her on one that is known to fight Staph, but until then, we're doing nothing.

We are very proactive with her care.... she is relatively healthy now, and we'd like to keep her that way, so if there is something we should be doing to get rid of this Staph, then we want to be doing it. Most recently one of the three Drs. we see told us that if Ella wasn't culturing Staph, it would just be something else... that CFers always grow something. I don't think that's neccessarily true, is it?

What experience do any of you have with this? Are any of you actively treating Staph, and if so, with what? Have any of you previously treated it and gotten rid of it? I don't feel like we should be sitting back waiting to see where this goes. Any information and opinions are greatly welcomed.

Thanks!
~ Lindsay
Ella's Mama
 
2

2005CFmom

Super Moderator
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://forums.cysticfibrosis.c...2&enterthread=y
">"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://forums.cysticfibrosis.com/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=9382&enterthread=y
<br ">http://forums.cysticfibrosis.c...terthread=y
</a></a>

This is a link to the thread in the adult section that is talking about staph. So far most replies indicate doctors aren't actively treating Staph (unless it is causing an active infection). It seems to be the lessor of the evils.
 
K

kybert

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>they told us a majority of people with CF culture Staph and it's no big deal, nothing to worry about,</end quote></div>

thats gotta be a joke right? are you sure they are real doctors? some cfers have staph, in fact quite a few do, but most dont. dont be fooled into thinking that staph is a harmless bug. sure there are nastier bugs out there but staph can do quite a bit of damage. your doctors way of thinking is bizarre. if we all sat back and did nothing everytime we got a new bug we would be dropping like flies! go to someone who will treat it straight away before it becomes a permanent fixture on your daughters lab results!

p.s. i also dont buy this 'staph will keep pseudo at bay' business. sure, it might actually do that, but at what cost? staph can cause just as much havoc.
 
N

NoExcuses

New member
Kylie, talk with a microbiologist. They'll be able to point out the error in your ways.....

Until then, no one is advocating NOT treating Staph. Everyone is advocating, if you are colonized with both, making sure that you treat with an antibiotic that treats both Staph and PA. That's all.
 
K

kybert

New member
amy, read. <div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>sure, it might actually do that, but at what cost?</end quote></div> where did i say that it doesnt do that?
 
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NoExcuses

New member
Kylie, read.

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>amy</b></i>

Until then, no one is advocating NOT treating Staph. .</end quote></div>

you stated "at what cost?" there is no cost. If you treat both bacteria, staph and PA, at the same time, there is no cost.

i could see how you might say there's a cost for treating PA and not staph, but that's not what microbiologists are advocating. they're advocating making sure that you treat both at the same time.

so there's no cost.
 
A

anonymous

New member
Hmmm...don't forget, not so long ago (30+ years) staph was a major contributor to death in children with cfer. Doctors should not treat it lightly....
 
N

NoExcuses

New member
Staph Aureus is the #1 bacterial cause of sinusitis and bronchitis in people who don't have issues such as CF and who aren't immuno-compromised.

So you are absolutely right.

And docs don't treat it lightly.... they prescribe antibiotics that not only kill PA but kill Staph too.
 
J

JRPandTJP

New member
Our son has cultured staph since he was diagnosed as well. Staph lives on everything and culturing it doesn't always indicate it is in the lungs. You would have to confirm it with the rather invasive procedure- bronchioscopy if I'm not mistaken. If she is otherwise healthy, I wouldn't worry about it.

He has been on antibiotics twice (2 IV which are stong and inhaled for a month when he culture pseudo once) and it has never gone away (even with ones that cover both pseudo and staph). Our docs also feel that if there isn't any resp. issues, chronic cough, weight issues, ect. then don't treat it. I'm just not big on using anitibiotics constantly if their is not indication of any issues. I realize others may disagree.

Some people see results with inhaled and/or oral GSH, but this isn't widely acknowledged by clinics (don't get why). Our son does inhaled and oral and still cultures staph, so it is just something we don't obsess over. Others have gotten clear cultures after using if for a while. He has only been doing GSH since Nov. but we see a tremendous difference in weight and mucus is pratically non-existent except during colds. I still secretly hope he doesn't culture it ever again, but we will see.

This is just what we do and I hope it helps to know. You could always try a round of anitibiotics and if it doesn't work go back to what you've been doing. Many clinics and doctors who are well respected don't treat staph...it isn't an indication of ineptitude.

Warmly,
Jody mom of Julia 6 w/out Cf and Ben 2 w/CF
 
A

anonymous

New member
Our clinic is just starting to change its tune on Staph. They are now giving a 2 week course of Cephlex with a positive culture. We've tried it twice now.
 
C

CFTwins

New member
Sorry, I wasn't signed in. They cultured it again after the first round... we haven't gone back for our swab after this round. Will keep you posted.
 
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