Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacteria found on the skin and in the nose, mouth, anal and genital areas. It can cause a range of ailments including staph infections, cellulitis, and food poisoning. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is highly resistant to antibiotics. Prevention includes frequent hand washing and avoiding sharing personal items.
Staphylococcus aureus, or S. aureus, was discovered in 1880 by a Scottish surgeon named Sir Alexander Ogston. About 25% of the human population carries S. aureus in the nose, mouth, anal and genital areas, and on the skin with little or no effect from the bacteria. S. aureus is the leading cause of many ailments and diseases including pimples and boils, pneumonia and meningitis. Staph infections and food poisoning are among the most important diseases that S. aureus is responsible for.
A strain of Staphylococcus aureus causes staph infections that develop when the S. aureus bacteria gains access to the body through an open cut or wound, catheter, or breathing tube. Staph infections can be minor, like a pimple, or serious, like pneumonia or toxic shock syndrome. Skin infections cause the infected area of skin to be red, swollen, and painful to the touch. Symptoms of a more serious staph infection include headache, chills, cough, and rash.
Cellulitis is a staph infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin. This type of staph infection is very common although it can be more serious in people with weaker immune systems, such as people with diabetes. Cellulitis is usually treated with antibiotics.
Another common disease caused by Staphylococcus aureus is food poisoning. Under certain circumstances, when the S. auerus bacterium invades food, it multiplies and produces toxins. Foods that have been contaminated with staph food poisoning may not show any signs of being bad. They don’t smell bad. Certain foods, such as meat, eggs, dairy products, and salads like tuna salad, are more prone to developing staph food poisoning.
Symptoms of food poisoning come on quickly and strongly, usually within hours. Some of the symptoms include nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, headaches and fatigue. The severity of symptoms depends on how much contaminated food has been eaten, a person’s age, and general health. Symptoms usually go away in two to three days.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that is highly resistant to some antibiotics. While other forms of S. aureus are treated with antibiotics such as methicillin, penicillin and amoxicillin, MRSA does not respond well to these antibiotics. Instead, MRSA is treated by draining the wound and prescribing antibiotics that are effective against MRSA. In some cases, a combination of antibiotics can work effectively together to fight MRSA.
The best defense against Staphylococcus aureus includes washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially after using the restroom or being in public. Sharing of personal items such as a toothbrush, cutlery, glasses or towels should be avoided and clothes, sheets and towels should be washed regularly. A cut or sore that appears to be infected should be examined by a healthcare professional.
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