What Causes Golden Staph?

Golden staph, also known as staphylococcus aureus, is a type of bacterium that causes a number of infections. Boils, meningitis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, septic phlebitis and endocarditis are all a result of golden staph. This bacteria lives in the nose and on the skin, so special precautions must be taken in order to not get sick from it.

Cuts

• Golden staph can enter the body through untreated cuts. Since golden staph already lives on the surface of the skin, it is easy for it to infect a cut. Cuts must be disinfected and kept covered.

Skin-on-skin Contact

• Golden staph can be transferred through skin contact. Shaking hands, hugging and other bodily contact can transfer this bacteria. It is important to wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap on a regular basis.

Contaminated Surfaces

• Golden staph can live on contaminated surfaces. By touching a surface contaminated with golden staph, it can be transferred to the skin. Regularly dusting and cleaning surfaces with anti-bacterial cleanser in your home can cut down the risk of being infected with golden staph.

Overuse of Antibiotics

• Antibiotics help keep many people healthy and infection free. Many people turn to antibiotics before trying other methods of staying healthy. This overuse of antibiotics makes golden staph resistant to antibiotics. It's important to only use antibiotics when all other methods have failed, so that they can work properly when golden staph infects the body.