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What is Staph?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Staphylococcus, or staph, is a group of infectious bacteria that can cause a variety of conditions ranging from skin rashes to abscesses. It is actually extremely common bacteria, living on the surface of all human skin, but it will take advantage of vulnerability in the skin to enter the body, causing infection and discomfort. These infections are usually treated with applications of antibiotics, and in most cases are relatively easy to eradicate.

Common infections which are the result of staph include impetigo, an unsightly infection common around the nose and mouth that causes blisters, boils, and scabs. Infections of the hair follicle can result in sties, boils, and folliculitis, all characterized by painful red bumps in the skin. Staph also commonly infects the skin to create an abscess, a pus-filled wound which is hot and painful to the touch.

Staph infections may be treated with antibiotics.
Staph infections may be treated with antibiotics.

Staph is also the culprit responsible for Toxic Shock Syndrome, an infection of the blood stream which can be fatal. It can cause endocarditis, or infection of the valves of the heart, along with a variety of other potentially lethal internal infections. For this reason, hospitals have very strict protocols for keeping wound sites clean and avoiding exposure to staph, especially in patients with compromised immune systems.

Washing hands frequently may help prevent a staph infection.
Washing hands frequently may help prevent a staph infection.

Because staph is treated with antibiotics, several strains of drug resistant bacteria have emerged, posing a particular threat in hospital environments. Some strains are tested before antibiotics are prescribed, to ensure that the strain is not antibiotic resistant. As with any infection being treated with antibiotics, patients should follow the course of antibiotics all the way through, even if symptoms have vanished. Antibiotics should not be saved for use later, or given away to other individuals.

Hands should always be washed before inserting contact lenses in order to avoid infection.
Hands should always be washed before inserting contact lenses in order to avoid infection.

The best way to prevent a staph infection is to follow strict methods of cleanliness. Because the bacteria lives on the skin, any wound site should be cleaned and sterilized immediately before staph has an opportunity to take hold and cause an infection. Hands should be washed frequently, especially before and after eating food, inserting contact lenses, or other activities which may expose delicate parts of the body to infection.

Cleaning cuts helps prevent staph infections.
Cleaning cuts helps prevent staph infections.

If a staph infection is suspected, medical attention should be sought and the directions of the healthcare provider followed to promote rapid healing. If a person has a staph infection, he should be aware of the immune status of individuals around him, and minimize time around young children and those with compromised immune systems.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon33978

Actually, being *hyper* clean (ie, using antibacterial soaps, sprays and hand cleaners to excess) can make staph worse. If you kill off all competing bacteria, then you're allowing the resistant strains to multiply without check.

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    • Staph infections may be treated with antibiotics.
      By: STOLBTSOV ALEXANDRE
      Staph infections may be treated with antibiotics.
    • Washing hands frequently may help prevent a staph infection.
      By: Deminos
      Washing hands frequently may help prevent a staph infection.
    • Hands should always be washed before inserting contact lenses in order to avoid infection.
      By: Ana Blazic Pavlovic
      Hands should always be washed before inserting contact lenses in order to avoid infection.
    • Cleaning cuts helps prevent staph infections.
      By: WideAwake
      Cleaning cuts helps prevent staph infections.
    • Patients who spend an extended amount of time in the hospital following surgical procedures are at an increased risk of developing staph infections.
      By: spotmatikphoto
      Patients who spend an extended amount of time in the hospital following surgical procedures are at an increased risk of developing staph infections.
    • Immediate cleaning and bandaging of cuts will help prevent staph infection.
      By: ia_64
      Immediate cleaning and bandaging of cuts will help prevent staph infection.
    • Hospitals have strict protocols for keeping wound sites clean and avoiding exposure to staph.
      By: Kondor83
      Hospitals have strict protocols for keeping wound sites clean and avoiding exposure to staph.