How long can a staph infection live dormant in the body?

Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that causes staph infections, can live in the human body for an extended period, sometimes months or even years, without causing any symptoms. This dormant state is known as colonization. During colonization, the bacteria reside on the skin or in the nose without invading and causing infection. Staph colonization commonly occurs in healthy individuals and does not always lead to an active infection. However, some colonized individuals may be at an increased risk of developing staph infections, particularly under certain circumstances or in the presence of compromised immunity.