Staphylococcal skin infections
A staphylococcal skin infection can usually be diagnosed by examining of the affected area of skin. A small piece of tissue may also be removed using a swab (a medical instrument that looks like a cotton bud) and tested for the presence of S. aureus bacteria.
Staphylococcal food poisoning
A diagnosis of staphylococcal food poisoning can be made by taking a sample of your stools (faeces) and testing it for the presence of bacteria.
Invasive staphylococcal infections
There are three main goals in diagnosing an invasive staphylococcal infection:
- to confirm whether the infection has been caused by S. aureus bacteria and whether the strain of bacteria has developed a resistance to one or more antibiotics
- to determine the source of the infection
- to determine which other body functions have been affected and how badly
To do this, a number of tests may be carried out, including:
- blood tests
- urine tests
- stool sample tests
- blood pressure tests
- a wound culture test, where a small sample of tissue, skin or fluid is taken from the affected area for testing
- respiratory secretion testing, which involves testing a sample of saliva, phlegm or mucus
- imaging studies, such as an X-Ray or CT scan
- echocardiogram, where sound waves are used to scan the valves and chambers of the heart
- kidney and liver function tests
- a spinal tap, where a sample of cerebrospinal fluid is extracted from your back for testing (cerebrospinal fluid is the fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal column)
