Surgery/Illness

• Surgery and illness significantly tax the resources of the body, rendering it unable to completely fight off the infection. The symptoms may disappear for a time, only to reappear when the remaining bacteria reproduce.
  
  

Stress

• Stress, particularly chronic stress, can compromise the immune system, leaving it unable to fend off staph infections, even with the aid of antibiotics.
  
  

Insufficient Medication

• Staph infections can be of varying degrees of virulence. If an infection is particularly virulent, a standard dosage of antibiotics may be insufficient to kill the bacteria.
  
  

Resistance

• Since the introduction of antibiotics, resistant strains of staph have developed. If the infection is caused by a resistant strain, it may recur until the appropriate antibiotic is administered.
  
  

Reinfection

• Recurring staph infections may not be recurring at all, but rather a case of reinfection. Reinfection can occur from using the same towels, washcloths, or wearing the same clothing. Reinfection can also be caused by exposure to a staph carrier.