It is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses boils , furuncles, and cellulitis. Although most staph infections are not serious, S. Staphylococcus aureus Prescription Pad. On this page: Signs and symptoms of infection Duration of illness Transmission Complications More Fact sheets Signs and symptoms of infection Most infections caused by S. Abscess Pocket of infection that forms at the site of injury.
Usually filled with pus. Area surrounding the abscess is usually red, painful and swollen and the skin surrounding the abscess can feel warm to the touch. Cellulitis An infection of the underlying layers of the skin. Usually results from a scrape or cut in the skin which allows bacteria to enter, although no injury may be apparent.
Cellulitis can occur anywhere in the body, but most often occurs on the legs or arms. Many people carry staph bacteria and never develop staph infections. However, if you develop a staph infection, there's a good chance that it's from bacteria you've been carrying around for some time. These bacteria can also be transmitted from person to person.
Because staph bacteria are so hardy, they can live on objects such as pillowcases or towels long enough to transfer to the next person who touches them. A variety of factors — including the status of your immune system to the types of sports you play — can increase your risk of developing staph infections. Certain disorders or the medications used to treat them can make you more susceptible to staph infections.
People who may be more likely to get a staph infection include those with:. Despite vigorous attempts to eradicate them, staph bacteria remain present in hospitals, where they attack the most vulnerable, including people with:. Staph bacteria can travel along the medical tubing that connects the outside world with your internal organs.
Examples include:. Staph bacteria can spread easily through cuts, abrasions and skin-to-skin contact. Staph infections may also spread in the locker room through shared razors, towels, uniforms or equipment. Food handlers who don't properly wash their hands can transfer staph from their skin to the food they're preparing.
Foods that are contaminated with staph look and taste normal. If staph bacteria invade your bloodstream, you may develop a type of infection that affects your entire body. Called sepsis, this infection can lead to septic shock — a life-threatening episode with extremely low blood pressure.
Wash your hands. Careful hand-washing is your best defense against germs. Wash your hands with soap and water briskly for at least 20 seconds. Then dry them with a disposable towel and use another towel to turn off the faucet. If your hands aren't visibly dirty, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Wash your hands with soap and water regularly, such as before, during and after making food; after handling raw meat or poultry; before eating; after using the bathroom; and after touching an animal or animal waste. Wash clothing and bedding in hot water. Staph bacteria can survive on clothing and bedding that isn't properly washed.
To get bacteria off clothing and sheets, wash them in hot water whenever possible. If carriers of staphylococci need to have certain types of surgery, they are often treated with an antibiotic before the surgery.
In some health care facilities, people are routinely screened for MRSA when they are admitted. Some facilities screen only people who are at increased of getting a MRSA infection, such as those who are about to have certain operations. Screening involves testing a sample taken from the nose with a cotton swab.
If MRSA strains are detected, people are isolated to prevent spread of the bacteria. Infections due to Staphylococcus aureus are treated with antibiotics. Doctors try to determine whether the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics and, if so, to which antibiotics. Infection that is acquired in a hospital is treated with antibiotics that are effective against MRSA. They include vancomycin , linezolid , tedizolid , quinupristin plus dalfopristin, ceftaroline, telavancin , or daptomycin.
If results of testing later indicate that the strain is susceptible to methicillin and the person is not allergic to penicillin, a drug related to methicillin, such as nafcillin or oxacillin , is used. Depending on how severe the infection is, antibiotics may be given for weeks. MRSA infection can be acquired outside of a health care facility. Mild skin infections due to MRSA, such as folliculitis, are usually treated with an ointment, such as one that contains bacitracin , neomycin , and polymyxin B available without a prescription or mupirocin available by prescription only.
If more than an ointment is required, antibiotics effective against MRSA are given by mouth or intravenously. Which antibiotic is used depends on the severity of the infection and the results of susceptibility testing. If an infection involves bone or foreign material in the body such as heart pacemakers, artificial heart valves and joints, and blood vessel grafts , rifampin and possibly another antibiotic are sometimes added to the antibiotic regimen.
Usually, infected bone and foreign material has to be removed surgically to cure the infection. Staphylococcus aureus produces an enzyme called coagulase. Other species of staphylococci do not and thus are called coagulase-negative staphylococci.
These bacteria normally reside on the skin of all healthy people. These bacteria, although less dangerous than Staphylococcus aureus , can cause serious infections, usually when acquired in a hospital.
The bacteria may infect catheters inserted through the skin into a blood vessel or implanted medical devices such as heart pacemakers or artificial heart valves and joints. These bacteria are often resistant to many antibiotics. Vancomycin , which is effective against many resistant bacteria, is used, sometimes with rifampin.
Medical devices, if infected, often must be removed. Merck and Co. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world.
The Manual was first published in as a service to the community. Learn more about our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Common Health Topics. Types of staph infections. Staph toxins. Risk factors for staph infections.
Resistance to antibiotics. Other Staphylococcal Infections. Bacterial Infections: Gram-Positive Bacteria. Test your knowledge. Dengue is a viral infection that causes fever, aches throughout the body, and, in severe cases, bleeding in multiple areas. How is the dengue virus transmitted? More Content. Skin infections may cause blisters, abscesses, and redness and swelling in the infected area.
Staphylococcus aureus infections range from mild to life threatening. Certain staphylococcal infections are more likely in certain situations:. Certain conditions increase the risk of getting a staphylococcal infection:. Did You Know Skin infections due to Staphylococcus aureus can include the following:. Some Skin Infections Caused by Staphylococcus aureus. For skin infections, a doctor's evaluation.
Staphylococcal skin infections are usually diagnosed based on their appearance. Was This Page Helpful? Yes No. Streptococcal Infections.
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