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Staphylococcus Aureus Fact Sheet

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that already lives within our nose and on our skin. According to the Centers for Disease Control, staph is so common, that it can be found in the nostrils of up to 30 percent of people. Normally staph doesn't cause disease. However, if you sustain an injury, your body's natural defenses to fight infection can be overcome by the bacteria. As a result, staph bacteria can run amok leading to serious infections of the body. Staph infections can also occur as a result of eating contaminated food.

  1. Definition

    • Staphylococcus are composed of many bacteria that can result in various diseases and infections. Staph is also one of the biggest causes of food-borne illnesses. According to Melissa Conrad Stoppler, MD of Medicine Net, there are more than 30 types of staph that can infect the body. Usually, most people become ill with staph as a result of eating meat tainted with staph.

    Symptoms

    • If you have a staph infection of the skin (such as MRSA), the initial symptom will begin as a bump resembling a pimple or spider bite. The bump will then turn into a painful abscess filled with pus. The site will become red, swollen, and extremely painful and then eventually drain. If you have staph as a result of food poisoning, you will feel nausea, abdominal cramping, dry heaving, vomiting, and diarrhea. Food poisoning symptoms can persist for up to 24 hours. Severe food poisoning can result in muscle cramping, headache, and changes in pulse and blood pressure. In severe cases, according to the FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration, recovery can take up to more than three days.

    Staph Diseases

    • Staph can create a host of diseases, the most common being skin infections, such as impetigo. Impetigo causes a crusting of the skin. If staph enters the bloodstream, it can lead to sepsis (blood poisoning). Staph can also cause toxic shock syndrome, which can be a serious condition. With toxic shock, you can develop a high fever, experience vomiting and diarrhea as well as muscle aches and low blood pressure. Left untreated, toxic shock can lead to shock and death.

    MRSA

    • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is a type of S. aureus that has become resistant to antibiotics. Those who have weakened immune systems such as HIV/AIDS patients, children, and the elderly are at a higher risk of developing MRSA. Usually, MRSA infections occur in hospital settings, nursing homes, or other health care places. There are other various ways MRSA can spread. If you play sports, and sustain a cut, the bacteria can spread from skin-to-skin contact. According to the Mayo Clinic, you can also develop MRSA by sharing towels and athletic equipment, sharing razors, living in crowded areas (such as a military base), and being in contact with health care workers.

    Prevention/Solution

    • The biggest way to prevent a staph infection, or any type of infection is by careful washing of your hands. Always wash your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 15 seconds. If you're unable to wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at least 60 percent alcohol). Never share other people's towels, razors, or sports equipment. If you have a wound or cut, keep it covered. In health settings, use latex gloves before treating a patient and wash your hands before seeing the next patient.

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