Staph Screening Before Surgery: About Your Child's Test

What is it?

Staph screening is a test to find out if your child is a staph carrier. Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is a type of bacteria that can cause infections. A carrier is a person who has the bacteria on his or her skin but who isn't sick. The test is done by swabbing the inside of your child's nose.

Staph bacteria normally live on the skin and in the nose. In most cases, they don't cause problems. They only become a problem when they cause infection. The infection is more likely to be serious in people who are weak or ill or who are being treated in the hospital.

Why is this test done?

A staph screening may be done before your child's surgery so your child can be treated if he or she is a carrier.

Staph infections are more likely to occur in burns or wounds. This includes places on the body where tubes enter or where the doctor makes cuts (incisions) in the skin. Staph bacteria can cause serious infection where they enter the body. The infection can sometimes spread to other places, such as the joints or the heart.

Some types of staph bacteria are resistant to many antibiotics. One example is MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

How do you prepare for the test?

• In general, there's nothing you have to do before this test, unless your doctor tells you to.
• Tell the doctor if your child has recently taken antibiotics.

How is the test done?

A clean cotton swab will be used to collect a sample from the inside of the nose.

How long does the test take?

The test will take a few seconds. The results will be ready in a few days.

What happens after the test??

Staph screening results will be ready before your child's surgery day.

If the test shows that your child is a carrier, your child will be treated to prevent an infection. The doctor may:

• Have your child take antibiotic pills before and after surgery. Or the doctor may give antibiotics through a needle that's put in your child's vein (I.V.) during the surgery.
• Have you use an ointment on your child's skin. Or you may put it inside your child's nose.
• Have you use a special antibiotic soap or antiseptic wipe to wash your child's skin.