Staphylococcus Infection
Overview over symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention.
What is Staph Infection?
This is an infection which is caused by the Staphylococcus bacteria. Staphylococcus is a classification of bacteria which can cause an excess of infections as a consequence of the capability to infect many different types of the fleshy tissue of the body.
Signs & Transmission Of Infection
Direct contact with an infected sore or wound, or with personal-care items such as razors, bandages, etc, are common routes of transmission. This infection commonly causes painful skin and tissue conditions, such as boils, scalded skin, ect.
How does Staphylococcus aureus look like?
There are thread-like connections between the round bacterium made of "biofilm." This biofilm helps protect the bacteria and increases its chances of causing infections.
How are Staph Infections diagnosed?
These infections are commonly diagnosed by their appearance, more serious infections are requiring of blood samples and of infected body fluids
Antibiotics
Antibiotics work in many different ways against different bacteria. Penicillin, which can be used to treat many strains of staph aureus, are said to be bactericidal. Staphylococci can be found normally in the nose and on the skin (and less commonly in other locations) of around 25%-30% of healthy adults and in 25% of hospital workers.
Prevention and Treatment for Staph infection
There is no vaccine for staph infection, but we have found antibiotics very useful. Proper hygiene is important. Wash hands diligently, avoid close contact with infected individuals, and carefully clean all skin scrapes, cuts, and wounds to reduce the chances of them becoming infected with Staph.
Be Aware!
Staph can infect openings in the skin, like scratches, pimples, or skin cysts. Anyone can get a staph infection. Many people out there are unaware of such harmful diseases, and ignorant of infections like this one that can easily be transmitted and cause death.
Reference
Buckingham, Steven C. “Prevention of recurrent MRSA skin infections: what you need to know.” Consultant Dec.2008: 1031. Student Resource In Context.Web.26.Jan.2015.
Davidson, Alison. I. (1994), Preventing Staph. Aureus infection on a surgical ward: the nurses’ rol. British Journal of Nursing, 3 (7).
“Studies from inserm add new findings in the area of Staphylococcus infections.” Science letter 12 Feb.2008: 4583. Student Resources In Context. Web. 26 Jan.2015.