A staph infection can lead to death primarily when it progresses to severe forms like Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) or sepsis. Mortality related to severe staph infections typically happens within the first 30 days after infection onset, with many infection-related deaths occurring early, sometimes within a few days to weeks of the infection becoming systemic. Sepsis caused by staph infections can kill an affected person in as little as 12 hours if untreated. More specifically, studies show that about 30% of patients with SAB may die within 90 days, with 60% of those deaths being infection-related and most infection-related deaths occurring within the first 30 days. If complications like endocarditis or septic shock occur, risk of death increases significantly and may extend mortality risk beyond 30 days. Without prompt and effective treatment, life-threatening complications such as septic shock can develop rapidly and lead to death in hours to days. In summary, the time it takes for a staph infection to become fatal can range from hours (due to sepsis) to a few weeks, depending on the severity, infection site, and patient health conditions. Prompt medical treatment is critical to prevent fatal outcomes from staph infections.