Staphylococcus bacteria or staph is normally present in various parts of the body like nose, hands, foot, mouth and genitals. But the infection gets severe when the bacteria gains entry into your body through wounds or cuts. There are several types of infection ranging from blisters and boils to severe infection of the body. The treatment should be given based on the strength of the infection and how fast the bacteria have invaded into your body. It can cause serious life-threatening consequence when it enters through the blood into the lungs, intestine or heart.
Cellulitis is one such staph infection which can be easily managed by antibiotics. People who have chronic illness like diabetes are more prone to staph infection than healthy individuals.
Who Are At Risk ?
People with weakened immunity like newborn babies, children, elderly people and breastfeeding women have more chances to get staph infection. Similarly, people with chronic illness like HIV, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and respiratory infection are prone to this type of infection.
People who frequently develop skin injuries like cuts and wounds, drug addicted persons, and those who are often put on IV fluids are also at risk of developing staph infection. Anyone can get this infection if their immune system is weakened due to fever or other disease.
Causes :
The bacteria staphylococci reside in common objects like bed-spreads, pillows, clothes and even on razors. Hence there is every chance for you to get those infectious bacteria when you use these objects. Again it depends on the immunity level of the person for getting infected with bacteria. Not all the people who carry staph are getting affected.
Symptoms :
The signs of staph infection may range from mild forms of skin rash to intense form of endocarditis involving your heart valve. The symptoms of staph infection vary with that of the location in which bacteria attacks.
Symptoms of skin infection by Staph bacteria include boils, lesions, pus formation and impetigo. The rash may be itchy and painful. The rash can start anywhere in the body but very often it begins on nose and mouth. Sometimes boils and lesions occur on groin area and buttocks.
When the staph bacterium attacks the internal organs (bacteremia) it can damage your heart, lungs or even brain. Some people get their infection on bones and muscles. People who have fixed (implanted) devices in their body are more risky to develop staph infection, if they are not taking proper antibiotics.
Toxic shock syndrome is caused by staph bacteria when you share tampons of affected people who have undergone surgery. The symptoms include high fever, nausea, vomiting, poor concentration, confusion, seizures, and rash formation on the palms and soles.
Treatment :
Strong antibiotics like vancomycin are given to control staph infection. However due to frequent intake of antibiotics, these bacteria will develop resistance for many drugs. Earlier penicillin was given to manage this infection but now doctors prescribe even strong doses of antibiotic drugs through IV fluids.
In case if the infection has spread deeply into the muscles, it may be cleaned and removed by surgery. For people with open wounds, the doctor will make an incision to drain the pus from the wound and allow it to dry fast.
Images, Pics, Photos and Pictures of Staph Infection :
Prevention :
Cover the wounds with bandages until they become totally dry. Open wounds give room for bacteria easily. Be careful that you are not getting any cuts or wounds. Athletes are at great risk of getting staph infection from co-players. Do not share towels, razors, and clothing even from close friends or relatives.