staph infection

[jeannie22]

Hello my name is Nancy. My 8 year old brother broke his arm and dislocated his elbow about a month ago. he fell off his bike. He went to the hosptial yesterday to have the cast removed and the pins taken out. Today my mother was told that he has a staph infection in his blood stream. I have no idea what it is or how serious it. can someone please fill me in. thanks Nancy

[injuryupdate]

This is potentially pretty serious, but it all depends on how advanced the infection was and whether the infection responds to antibiotics. If he wasn't in that much pain, hopefully the infection was well contained. It is likely he will be admitted to hospital and put on an intravenous drip until all signs of the infection are gone. He may possible finish up with a permanently slightly stiff elbow, but unless he is a gymnast or baseball pitcher, this might not matter too much. If they can eliminate the infection early enough, he may be 100% cured.