Staph infections are common and caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. They can range from mild to severe, and can lead to serious conditions if left untreated. Prevention includes good personal hygiene and cleaning frequently handled surfaces. Methicillin-resistant staph aureus (MRSA) is a dangerous form of staph that is resistant to most antibiotics. Completing courses of antibiotics is important to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.
A staph infection is an infection characterized by the presence of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, known as ‘staph’. About a quarter of the population carries this bacterium naturally, making staph infections very common, as the bacteria readily prey on small cuts in the skin or people with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly and cancer patients. The severity of a staph infection varies considerably, depending on the patient’s condition and the infected area.
Some common examples of staph infections include: folliculitis, sty, and impetigo. These infections attack the hair follicles, eyelids and face respectively. In these cases, the staph bacteria manages to enter the skin through a small break, causing a buildup of pus and mild inflammation that can turn the area red, mottled, and sometimes crusty, in the case of impetigo. More seriously, a staph infection can develop into an abscess, a deep wound in the skin or another organ.
Sometimes, the body can clear up a staph infection on its own, especially if warm compresses are applied to the area regularly and if the area is kept clean. However, there may be instances where a staph infection continues to spread, causing a variety of problems such as toxic shock syndrome, pneumonia, endocarditis, and bone infections, among others. In these cases, medical treatment is essential.
When a patient arrives with a suspected staph infection, the doctor may take a swab to grow the bacteria and confirm that it is staph. Antibiotics will also be prescribed to kill the bacteria. Oral and topical antibiotics can be used, and sometimes several antibiotics will be needed if the bacteria have developed resistance to the antibiotics.
Staph infections can be prevented with the use of strict personal hygiene. Keeping your hands clean is important, as is washing all cuts and wounds to get rid of bacteria before they have a chance to settle. Regularly cleaning counters, doorknobs, and other frequently handled surfaces also helps keep staph bacteria down, reducing the spread of bacteria significantly.
One form of staph, methicillin-resistant staph aureus (MRSA), is especially dangerous. This form of bacteria has developed resistance to most antibiotics, making it very difficult to treat and potentially deadly. To reduce the development of antibiotic resistance, it is important to complete courses of antibiotics, making sure that all bacteria are killed. Failure to complete a course of antibiotics simply kills the weak bacteria, allowing the resistant bacteria to thrive and reproduce. Besides prolonging the infection, this also contributes to the increase of antibiotic resistant bacteria worldwide.
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