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Staphylococci Diseases

At this very moment, you might have a type of germ called staphylococcus bacteria on your skin or in your nose right now. The good news is that most of the time this bacteria causes little to no problems. The bad news is that sometimes they do, and it can lead to a pretty bad infection usually occurring in people with already compromised immune systems. This is most commonly known as a staph infection, and is responsible for numerous different diseases and conditions.

  1. MRSA Infections

    • One of the most difficult infections to treat is the methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus---or MRSA---infection. This type of infection does not respond to even the more powerful forms of penicillin, requiring treatment with strong antibiotics. Like the regular strain of staph bacteria, you could have MRSA on your skin and not be sick, but if it enters the body through a wound, it can cause a very serious infection.

    Skin Infections

    • A skin infection is an inflammation of the skin, and can be caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses. There are numerous skin infections caused by staph bacteria, the most common being boils. Impetigo is another staph infection, which is a contagious, painful rash most commonly seen in young children and infants. Cellulitis is a type of infection that causes the skin to swell and appear red, usually occurring in the lower extremities of older people.

    Osteomyelitis

    • Inflammation of the bone is called osteomyelitis and is commonly caused by a staph infection. It's an uncommon infection, however, and usually only occurs in the elderly or small children. Infection of bones in the spine is called vertebral osteomyelitis, and usually occurs in people over age 50. Symptoms include bone pain, fever and chills and can be effectively treated through the use of antibiotics, pain medications and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the infected bone.

    Sepsis

    • Sepsis is a life-threatening infection of the bloodstream, most commonly seen in people with a weak immune system. It's caused by dirty needles or bacteria that has spread from the infection of another organ. Symptoms include fever, limb swelling and muscle aches. The most common causes of sepsis are bacterial infections of the skin, bone and abdominal organs, and can be treated with antibiotics, oxygen therapy and cardiac monitoring.

    Toxic Shock Syndrome

    • Another life-threatening bloodstream infection, toxic shock syndrome is caused by bacteria normally present on the skin, in the nose and mouth and in the vagina. It usually develops quickly and suddenly, with such symptoms as fever, fatigue and abdominal pain, and these can worsen as the condition remains untreated. Treatment for toxic shock syndrome is very similar to sepsis, and includes antibiotics, corticosteriods and possible surgery to remove infected tissue.

    Pneumonia

    • A surprising addition to the list of staph infection caused illnesses is pneumonia. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the small air passageways in the lung, and comes in three types---viral, bacterial and fungal. Common symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Treatment depends on the cause, but usually involves plenty of rest and liquids, with various types of cough suppressants and antibiotics to help relieve the symptoms and kick the infection.

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