What are Staphylococcal (staph) infections?
Staphylococcus (staph) is a group of bacteria. There are more than 30 types. A type called Staphylococcus aureus causes most infections.
Staph bacteria can cause many different types of infections, including
Skin infections, which are the most common types of staph infections
Bacteremia, an infection of the bloodstream. This can lead to sepsis, a very serious immune response to infection.
Bone infections
Endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves
Food poisoning
Pneumonia
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a life-threatening condition caused by toxins from certain types of bacteria
What causes staph infections?
Some people carry staph bacteria on their skin or in their noses, but they do not get an infection. But if they get a cut or wound, the bacteria can enter the body and cause an infection.
Staph bacteria can spread from person to person. They can also spread on objects, such as towels, clothing, door handles, athletic equipment, and remotes. If you have staph and do not handle food properly when you are preparing it, you can also spread staph to others.
Who is at risk for staph infections?
Anyone can develop a staph infection, but certain people are at greater risk, including those who
Have a chronic condition such as diabetes, cancer, vascular disease, eczema, and lung disease
Have a weakened immune system, such as from HIV/AIDS, medicines to prevent organ rejection, or chemotherapy
Had surgery
Use a catheter, breathing tube, or feeding tube
Are on dialysis
Inject illegal drugs
Do contact sports, since you may have skin-to-skin contact with others or share equipment
What are the symptoms of staph infections?
The symptoms of a staph infection depend on the type of infection:
Skin infections can look like pimples or boils. They may be red, swollen, and painful. Sometimes there is pus or other drainage. They can turn into impetigo, which turns into a crust on the skin, or cellulitis, a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot.
Bone infections can cause pain, swelling, warmth, and redness in the infected area. You may also have chills and a fever.
Endocarditis causes some flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, and fatigue. It also causes symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and fluid buildup in your arms or legs.
Food poisoning typically causes nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and a fever. If you lose too many fluids, you may also become dehydrated.
Pneumonia symptoms include a high fever, chills, and cough that doesn't get better. You may also have chest pain and shortness of breath.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) causes high fever, sudden low blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhea, and confusion. You may have a sunburn-like rash somewhere on your body. TSS can lead to organ failure.
How are staph infections diagnosed?
Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. Often, providers can tell if you have a staph skin infection by looking at it. To check for other types of staph infections, providers may do a culture, with a skin scraping, tissue sample, stool sample, or throat or nasal swabs. There may be other tests, such as imaging tests, depending on the type of infection.
What are the treatments for staph infections?
Treatment for staph infections is antibiotics. Depending on the type of infection, you may get a cream, ointment, medicines (to swallow), or intravenous (IV). If you have an infected wound, your provider might drain it. Sometimes you may need surgery for bone infections.
Some staph infections, such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), are resistant to many antibiotics. There are still certain antibiotics that can treat these infections.
Can staph infections be prevented?
Certain steps can help to prevent staph infections:
Use good hygiene, including washing your hands often
Don't share towels, sheets, or clothing with someone who has a staph infection
It's best not to share athletic equipment. If you do need to share, make sure that it properly cleaned and dried before you use it.
Practice food safety, including not preparing food for others when you have a staph infection
If you have a cut or wound, keep it covered
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