Are there other ways to get a Staph infection, then just having a wound? can it stay in your body any way?

Class project: (I need to diagnose this man). he has a lump the size of a softball, when cut open only had WBS. blood culture reveled manny pmns and moderate GPC. he's also a diabetic and has reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

Staph live constantly on most people's skin. You can also be colonized with it in your nasopharynx. Any break in the skin barrier can lead to an infection. Remember that diabetics have poor wound healing and also can be considered mildly immunocompromized if their blood sugar is not under good control. He may have had a break in the skin and it may have become an abscess. Has the area been ultrasounded to make sure it is not a hematoma or vascular in nature. Was there a history of trauma or other injury. When did the mass appear and how is it evolving. These will help you make your diagnosis.

Does he have a history of recurring lesions? If so, he may have folliculties or Hidradentitis Suppurativa. I'd go with the HS if he does.