Staphylococcus: Friend or Foe ?

Staphylococcus aureus is not considered a sexually transmitted infection but at the same time, it is something that is passed from skin to skin contact.#

Introduction

Staphylococcus aureus is present in the nose (usually temporarily) of about 30% of healthy adults and on the skin of about 20% mostly without it causing any problems. However, sometimes the bacteria get inside the body and cause infection. The percentages are higher for people who are patients in a hospital or who work there.

Staphylococcus aureus is the most dangerous of all of the many common staphylococcal bacteria. These gram-positive, sphere-shaped (coccal) bacteria often causes skin infections but can cause pneumonia, heart valve infections, and bone infections.

The bacteria can spread from person to person by direct contact, through contaminated objects (such as gym equipment, telephones, door knobs or elevator buttons), or, less often, by inhalation of infected droplets dispersed by sneezing or coughing.

Types of Staph Infections and Symptoms of Staph Infections

All staphylococcal skin infections are very contagious. Skin infections due to Staphylococcus aureus can include the following:

Ø Folliculitis is the least serious. A hair root (follicle) is infected, causing a slightly painful, tiny pimple at the base of a hair.

Ø Impetigo consists of shallow, fluid-filled blisters that rupture, leaving honey-coloured crusts. Impetigo may itch or hurt.

Ø Abscesses (boils or furuncles) are warm, painful collections of pus just below the skin.

Ø Cellulitis is infection of skin and the tissue just under it. Cellulitis spreads, causing pain and redness.

Ø Toxic epidermal necrolysis and, in newborns, scalded skin syndrome are serious infections. Both can lead to large-scale peeling of skin.

Ø Breast infections (mastitis), which may include cellulitis and abscesses, can develop 1 to 4 weeks after delivery. The area around the nipple is red and painful. Abscesses often release large numbers of bacteria into the mother’s milk. The bacteria may then infect the nursing infant.

Ø Pneumonia often causes a high fever, shortness of breath, and a cough with sputum that may be tinged with blood. Lung abscesses may develop. They sometimes enlarge and involve the membranes around the lungs and sometimes cause pus to collect (called an empyema). These problems make breathing even more difficult.

Ø Bloodstream infection is a common cause of death in people with severe burns. Symptoms typically include a persistent high fever and sometimes shock.

Ø Endocarditis can quickly damage heart valves, leading to heart failure (with difficulty breathing) and possibly death.

Ø Osteomyelitis causes chills, fever, and bone pain. The skin and soft tissues over the infected bone become red and swollen, and fluid may accumulate in nearby joints.

Diagnosis

Ø For skin infections, a doctor's evaluation.

Ø For other infections, culture of blood or infected body fluids.

Ø Staphylococcal skin infections are usually diagnosed based on their appearance.

Ø Other infections require samples of blood or infected fluids, which are sent to a laboratory to grow (culture), identify, and test the bacteria. Laboratory results confirm the diagnosis and determine which antibiotics can kill the staphylococci

Prevention

Ø People can help prevent the spread of these bacteria by always thoroughly washing their hands with soap and water or applying an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Ø Some doctors recommend applying the antibiotic mupirocin inside the nostrils to eliminate staphylococci from the nose. However, because overusing mupirocin can lead to mupirocin resistance, this antibiotic is used only when people are likely to get an infection. For example, it is given to people before certain operations or to people who live in a household in which the skin infection is spreading.

Ø If carriers of staphylococci need to have certain types of surgery, they are often treated with an antibiotic before the surgery.

Ø People with a staphylococcal skin infection should not handle food.

Ø 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 an 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 are detected, people are isolated to prevent spread of the bacteria.

Treatment

Ø Antibiotics

Ø Sometimes surgical removal of infected bone and/or foreign material

Ø 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.

Ø Infection that is acquired in a hospital is treated with antibiotics that are effective against MRSA.

In all cases, always see a doctor to seek medical consent about staph infections or any other medical condition.

Remember, good health and well-being are of utmost importance! Stay healthy!

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