Staph infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria, forms of bacteria commonly found on the skin or at the nose of healthy people. The majority of the time, these bacteria cause no issues or cause comparatively minor skin ailments.
But staph infections may turn fatal if the germs invade deeper in the human own body, entering your blood, bones, joints, heart or lungs. A rising number of otherwise healthy men and women are growing life-threatening infections.
Treatment generally includes antibiotics and drainage of the infected area. But some staph infections no more respond to antibiotics that are common.
Staph Infections Symptoms
Staph infections can vary from minor skin issues to endocarditis, a life-threatening disease of the inner lining of the heart (endocardium). Because of this, symptoms and signs of staph infections differ widely, based on the location and seriousness of the disease.
Skin infections
Skin infections caused by staph bacteria include:
- Cellulitis. Cellulitis — an infection of the deeper layers of skin — causes skin redness and swelling on the surface of your skin. Sores (ulcers) or areas of oozing discharge may develop, too.
- Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Toxins produced as a result of a staph infection may lead to staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Affecting mostly babies and children, this condition features fever, a rash and sometimes blisters. When the blisters break, the top layer of skin comes off — leaving a red, raw surface that looks like a burn.
- Boils. The most common type of staph infection is the boil, a pocket of pus that develops into a hair follicle or oil gland. The skin over the infected area usually becomes red and swollen.If a boil breaks open, it will probably drain pus. Boils occur most often under the arms or around the groin or buttocks.
Food poisoning
Staph bacteria are among the most frequent causes of food poisoning. Symptoms come on quickly, usually within hours of eating a contaminated food. Symptoms usually disappear quickly, also, frequently lasting only half a day.
A staph infection in food generally does not cause a fever. Symptoms and signs you can expect with this Sort of staph infection include:
Causes
Many people carry staph bacteria and never develop staph infections. However, if you develop a staph infection, there’s a good chance that it’s from bacteria you’ve been carrying around for some time.
These bacteria can also be transmitted from person to person. Because staph bacteria are so hardy, they can live on inanimate objects such as pillowcases or towels long enough to transfer to the next person who touches them.
Staph bacteria are able to survive:
- Drying
- Extremes of temperature
- Stomach acid
- High levels of salt
Prevention
These common-sense precautions can help lower your risk of developing staph infections:
- Wash your hands.
- Keep wounds covered.
- Keep personal items personal.
- Wash clothing and bedding in hot water.
