Origins of Staph Disease

Staph disease includes everything from mild irritation of the skin to chronic bone and blood infections. Skin infections can usually be treated with medication and time, but chronic staph disease is often life-threatening and will require specific antibiotics to treat. Staph disease originates from numerous sources, including open wounds and materials that have had direct contact with the bacteria.

Significance

• Staph disease is caused by bacteria known as staphylococcus. They are round bacteria that cause infections typically found in the nose and skin. Anyone can contract a staph disease, but people with weakened immune systems and chronic diseases like diabetes are more at risk of developing an infection. Additionally, people with open wounds on their hands and feet are at a higher risk of developing a staph disease because the bacteria can transmit directly into the affected area.

Sports Equipment

• Equipment used in sports is a major factor in the spread of staphylococcus. This is because equipment like towels, razors and uniforms provide a damp, often cool place for bacteria to reproduce. Cuts and abrasions suffered during sports provide a fast path for the bacteria to infect the blood and skin. This usually occurs when individuals with open cuts or sores share equipment or attire. Therefore, it is imperative to routinely clean attire and avoid sharing equipment with others.

Invasive Devices

• Devices that insert directly into the body or under the skin can infect an individual with staph disease. These devices include catheters, feeding tubes and surgical equipment. All provide staph with a direct link between breeding grounds in the outside environment and the warm, nutrient-rich confines of the body.

Hospitals

• Despite the routine sterilization of hospitals and their respective equipment, staphylococcus bacteria can still reproduce and spread to hospitalized patients. This is almost always done through contact with an infected person or material and not by air. For example, staphylococcus bacteria can transfer from an open wound to a piece of fabric and then transfer to another individual through direct contact with that fabric. Individuals most at risk of developing a staph disease within a hospital are those with weakened immune systems, burns, surgical wounds or chronic diseases.

Breastfeeding

• An infant can become infected with staph if his mother has a staph disease and breastfeeds him. Quite often, a mother can be a carrier of staph but have no symptoms or inclination of infection. This increases the risk that an infection will be passed on to the infant. If symptoms do occur on account of an infection, they commonly take the form of a disease known as lactation mastitis (characterized by an inflammation of the connective tissues within the mammary glands).

Prevention/Solution

• It is recommended to wash your hands frequently with soap and water to prevent the spread of infection. Clean all wounds with antibacterial solution and wrap them in clean, dry bandages. Do not share clothes, equipment or gear with another individual.