Staphyloccucus aureus
(“staph”) infections
What is Staphylococcus aureus (staph)?
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply
as "staph," are bacteria commonly
carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy
people. Approximately 25% to 30% of the population
is colonized (when bacteria are present, but
not causing an infection) in the nose with
staph bacteria. Sometimes, staph can cause
an infection. Staph bacteria are one of the
most common causes of skin infections in the
United States. Most of these skin infections
are minor (such as pimples and boils) and
can be treated without antibiotics (also known
as antimicrobials or antibacterials). However,
staph bacteria also can cause serious infections
(such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream
infections, and pneumonia). MRSA is Methicillin
Resistant Staph Aureus, which is resistant
to a type of penicillin, and a few other antibiotics.
There are several other antibiotics which
can be used to treat MRSA infections. There
is also a very rare type of MRSA that is resistant
to most, occasionally all, antibiotics. These
infections generally occur in elderly or sick
hospitalized patients.
How can I prevent
staph or MRSA skin infections?
Practice good hygiene:
1. Keep your hands clean
by washing thoroughly with soap and water
or using an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
2. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered
with a bandage until healed.
3. Avoid contact with other people’s
wounds or bandages.
4. Avoid sharing personal items such as
towels or razors.
5. Keep athletic equipment clean.
6. Keep bathroom areas and high touch surfaces
like doorknobs clean and disinfected with
soap and water, diluted bleach, or disinfectants
like Lysol or pine-sol.
Are staph and MRSA
infections treatable?
Yes. Most staph and MRSA infections are treatable
with antibiotics. If you are given an antibiotic,
take all of the doses, even if the infection
is getting better, unless your doctor tells
you to stop taking it. Do not share antibiotics
with other people or save unfinished antibiotics
to use at another time. However, many staph
skin infections may be treated by draining
the abscess or boil and may not require antibiotics.
Drainage of skin boils or abscesses should
only be done by a healthcare provider. If
after visiting your healthcare provider, the
infection is not improving after a few days,
contact your healthcare provider again. If
other people you know or live with get the
same infection tell them to go to their healthcare
provider.
For more information visit
the CDC website:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_public.html
Any questions please
contact the staff at the Health Center at
ext. 4214
