Infection-causing, staph bacteria are all around us, not in the water or air but in the people surrounding us at home or work. Learning how to side-step contamination is fortunately relatively simple.

It’s all around us

Infection-causing staphylococcus (staph) bacteria unfortunately are all around us and just like death and taxes, difficult to avoid. That’s because they’re frequently present in up to one in every four healthy humans. Areas where the bacteria can be found include the skin, sebaceous (sweat) glands, nose, genitals and anus and, apart from fleeing to some uninhabited island, contact is inevitable. Fortunately, contact needn’t always mean becoming infected – there are ways and means to prevent that!

Know your enemy

Two main staphylococcus strains have been identified, namely:

    • Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Most, but not all, human bacterial infections are caused by this strain. The enzymes and toxins produced by these strains may, however, cause or increase the severity of infections in other parts of the body such as the lungs, bones, joints, heart, blood and central nervous system.
    • Staphylococcus epidermidis, which is a strain that doesn’t usually cause infections except in people whose immune systems are suppressed. It is often associated with hospital stays and medically implanted devices such as catheters or prosthetics.

Unfortunately an interloper has since entered the arena. It is called methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of staph that has built up a resistance to the antibiotics usually used to treat staph infections. It can either be hospital-acquired (HA-MRSA) or community-acquired (CA-MRSA).

Signs and symptoms

S. aureus strains commonly first infect the skin and its structures. Infection sites are usually reddish, swollen and tender and ooze pus or have some crusty covering with drainage.

Common conditions caused by S. aureus strains are:

    • Folliculitis − an infection of the hair follicles
    • Furuncle (boil) − a swollen, red, pus-filled lump that grows larger and more painful before rupturing and draining
    • Carbuncle − a cluster of several furuncles
    • Impetigo − a superficial, crusty, weeping rash that begins as a small blister or pimple on the face, hands or feet
    • Cellulitis – an infection that usually begins as a small, warm red area on the skin
    • Hordeolum (sty) − a red, painful, bump or swelling near the edge of the eyelid.

Many of these staph infections can be treated at home and medical attention is only needed when infection sites spread and get very red or very hot and you start feeling feverish or ill.

More serious consequences may, however, occur if and when staph bacteria reaches the bloodstream (bacteraemia) and causes deep abscesses, infections in wounds and other body parts.

Prevention

Staph bacteria are transmitted by person-to-person contact and contact with staph–infected surfaces and objects. Any form of skin contact, especially if the skin is broken, can supply entrance and cause infection. However, there are ways to side-step and reduce these risks.

Prevent infection by:

    • Cleaning and treating skin cuts, scratches, scrapes and abrasions immediately. Disinfect them by washing thoroughly and using antibiotic and other ointments.
    • Covering up penetrated skin areas or wounds. Covering wounds will not only prevent pus or other fluids from contaminating surfaces but will also prevent spreading the bacteria to others.
    • Being careful not to touch or scratch infected skin areas.
    • Good hygiene, especially washing your hands often and bathing or showering daily. This is especially important for individuals who live in crowded or unsanitary conditions such as prisons and hostels. It also concerns those that play contact sport or engage in activities where you and others sweat a lot and share locker rooms.
    • Not sharing towels, sheets, clothing or other personal items such as toothbrushes and razors. Bacteria may be transferred to you from such items.
    • Washing bed linens and towels regularly and in hot water. Add extra bleach if someone in the family has an infection and dry with high heat.

The old adage of “cleanliness is next to godliness” becomes especially relevant when faced with the possibility of a staphylococcus infection.

 

Sources

Davis, C. P. 2015. Staphylococcus Infection (Staph Infection) Retrieved from: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/staphylococcus/article_em.htm
Lights, M and Solan, M. 2012. MRSA (Staph) Infection. Retrieved from: http://www.healthline.com/health/mrsa#Overview1
What Is a Staph Infection? 2014. Retrieved from; http://kidshealth.org/teen/infections/bacterial_viral/staph.html