Staph often exists on skin and mucus membranes, without causing noticeable illness. However, under the right circumstances staphylococcus can cause serious, or even fatal, disease. Because these bacteria live comfortably on people or on non-organic surfaces, you can easily contract the infection from another person, an inanimate object, or even from staphylococcus bacteria living on your skin.
Types
Staph causes a variety of illnesses. Most people associate staph with skin infections; however, staphylococcus also causes internal infections if the bacteria enter the bloodstream. In addition, staphylococcus aureus is responsible for most cases of rapid-onset food poisoning, and is the pathogen usually responsible for toxic shock syndrome.
Features
Unfortunately, since frequently live on the body and are easily transferred to environmental surfaces, such as doorknobs, towels, and gym equipment, the risk of contagion is very high. If you have an open wound, even as small as a paper cut, and contact staph, including staph bacteria already living on your skin, you may contract a staph infection.
Although many infections are mild and easily cured, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is much more difficult to cure and can be fatal.
Identification
Wounds infected with staphylococcus are usually hot, painful, inflamed and pus-filled. If the bacteria has entered the body it can cause many kinds of illnesses, including ear infections, mastitis, pneumonia and septic shock. Doctors diagnose internal staph infections by culturing fluid samples.
Prevention/Solution
Wash hands frequently, especially before handling food or caring for open wounds. Insist that food handlers wear protective gloves when preparing food.
Clean and treat all cuts immediately with antiseptic wipes, sprays or ointments. Wipe down desks, counters, gym equipment and other surfaces with disinfectant and avoid handling used towels or clothing.
Your physician may prescribe an antibiotic for a staph infection. What kind of antibiotic she prescribes will depend on the strain of staph. Clean and cover all infected wounds to prevent staph transmission to others.
Considerations
Staph infection is commonly contracted during or after a hospital stay, no matter whether you have had a surgery or not (although surgery patients are especially at risk). As a patient, insist that everyone caring for you washes his or her hands before touching you. All hospitals have a sanitation protocol for employees, but when nurses and other medical staff are in a hurry, they may forget the most basic step of all: hand washing.
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