What is a Staph Infection? Symptoms and Causes You Should Know
Did you know that signs like red inflamed or painful sores that contain pus might be caused by staph infection? This infection is caused by staphylococcus bacteria, which can be deadly. It requires prompt treatment to prevent complications. However, with certain tips, you can prevent this infection. Learn what causes staph infection and how to prevent it in this article. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.
Causes
Staph infections are caused when staphylococcus bacteria enter the body and infect different body parts and their respective function. Its symptoms vary from person to person, depending on the location and severity of the infection. Here are the most common ways it spreads and causes different infections:
- Skin infection: Staph skin infections can occur when you come into contact with someone with staphylococcus bacteria. These bacteria are contagious and usually enter the skin through a cut. Pus and blisters oozing fluid are very contagious and can infect anyone if you touch it, handle towels, or other things that have come in contact with the bacteria on them.
- Food poisoning: The staph bacteria can also be found in contaminated food and cause food poisoning. That’s why you should be careful while handling food.
- Toxic shock syndrome: This happens when staph bacteria enter into the body through tiny cuts in the vagina lining. If a person wears a tampon while menstruating for a long time, blood that collects on the tampon provides the ideal environment for bacteria from the vagina to grow. It can be life-threatening, if not treated on time.
- Mastitis: In breastfeeding/nursing women, staph bacteria from the baby’s mouth can enter the breast through cracks in the nipple. And if your breasts don’t get emptied often, bacteria get trapped and cause infection.
- Endocarditis: The staph bacteria can enter the heart through your bloodstream or from your mouth. That’s why people with poor dental health or who bleed when brushing their teeth might be at risk for this condition.
- Bacteremia: This occurs when staph bacteria enter the bloodstream and cause blood infection. It can be life-threatening when it reaches your brain (meningitis), heart (endocarditis), lungs (pneumonia), etc.
- Septic arthritis: This type of arthritis is caused when staph bacteria enter the knees, shoulders, hips, and fingers or toes. Even artificial joints are at risk of infection.
Risk factors
Many factors can increase the risk of getting staph infections, including:
- Underlying health conditions:
Certain diseases or medications that are used to treat them can increase the risk of staph infections. People are more likely to get staph infection if they have any of these conditions or take medical treatment, including:
- Diabetics who use insulin.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Kidney failure that needs dialysis treatment.
- Weak immune systems, either from a disease or medications that suppress the immune system.
- A transplant.
- Cancer, especially if you’re treated with chemotherapy or radiation.
- Skin damage from conditions like eczema, insect bites, or minor trauma that causes cuts.
- Lung diseases like cystic fibrosis or emphysema.
- Current or recent hospitalization:
Despite the best cleanliness, staph bacteria can be found in hospitals, where they can infect people who are at risk of infection. People with weak immune systems, burns, and surgical wounds are more prone to this infection. Sometimes people who are admitted to the hospital may be diagnosed if they’re carrying staph bacteria. Doctors may give you treatment to remove the bacteria and prevent infection from spreading to others.
- Invasive and implanted devices:
This bacterium can enter the body by traveling through medical tubing because these devices connect between the outside and inside of the body. The most common examples of these devices are:
- Urinary catheters
- Intravenous catheters
- Artificial joints
- Cardiac pacemakers
- Contact sports:
Staph bacteria can easily spread through cuts, scrapes, and skin-to-skin contact which is common for sportspersons who use locker rooms or have shared razors, towels, uniforms, or equipment.
- Unsanitary food preparation:
If your food is not handled properly, it’s extremely easy for staph bacteria from your skin to transfer to the food you’re preparing. It can multiply in the food and produce toxins that make you sick. However, cooking can kill the bacteria but not completely. Even there’s no difference in contaminated food’s appearance or taste. So the only way to prevent this is proper food handling.
Prevention
You can prevent staph infections by following these tips:
- Wash your hands: Washing your hands thoroughly is the best defense against germs. You should wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds and then dry them with a disposable towel or towel. Even if your hands are not visibly dirty you should wash them whenever you use the bathroom, in crowded places, before and after preparing food, etc. If you don’t have water or soap available, then use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Keep wounds covered: Always clean cuts and scrapes and cover them with sterile, dry bandages until they heal. The pus from the wound often contains staph bacteria. So, you need to cover the wounds and keep the bacteria from spreading.
- Reduce tampon risks: Avoid using tampons for long hours to avoid growing staph bacteria. You should change your tampons frequently at least every 4 to 8 hours and use the lowest absorbency tampon you can or use sanitary napkins whenever possible, you can lower the risk of toxic shock syndrome significantly.
- Keep personal items personal: Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, razors, clothing, and athletic equipment because staph bacteria can spread from objects and close skin contact from person to person.
- Wash clothing and bedding: Staph bacteria can spread through clothing, towels, and bedding, so always wash and dry items at the warmest temperature recommended on the items’ labels. You don’t need to use hot water, by making sure the detergent you use is enough to make items clean and safe for use. You can use bleach for any bleach-safe materials.
- Take food safety precautions: Before and after preparing food, wash your hands properly. If food is out for a while, make sure that hot foods stay hot above 140℉ (60℃). Make sure that cold foods stay at 40℉ (-4.4℃) or below, especially refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible. Wash cutting boards, counters, and apparel with water and soap. Handle fruits and vegetables differently from meat.
Staph infections occur when staph bacteria enter the body and infect different organs. It is very contagious because it can live on the skin and easily enter the body through the mouth, cut, wound, or contaminated food. People who live, work, or play sports with others and have certain health issues are more at risk of staph infections. Being hospitalized or having surgery can also increase the risk of contracting a staph infection. However, the above-mentioned tips to prevent staph infections allow you to lower the risk of staph infections and live a healthy life.
Need help with a staph infection, visit our infectious disease specialist at Brooklyn Clinic to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!
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