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Staph Infection
A staph infection is a health concern to not take lightly. Seeing your doctor as soon as you suspect an infection will most likely keep it from getting bad and becoming a staph infection, or worse. Tending to wounds is the best first defense against staph infection, but even the best of care isn't always good enough to prevent staph infections.
One of the most common infections that is seen in doctor's offices and hospitals all around the world is the staph infection. This infection, which is also known as staphylococcus, is actually a group of bacteria that can cause severe symptoms and possibly even death. There are actually more than 30 different types of these bacteria, but the most common type of staph infection is caused by Staphylococcus Aureus. What do you need to know about a staph infection?
You first need to realize that the staphylococci bacteria lives normally in the body of approximately 30-percent of adults, especially in the nose and on the skin. This bacteria does not cause an issue unless an injury occurs to the skin or other parts of the body, allowing bacteria to overcome the protective mechanisms of the body. That is why it is so prevalent in hospitals, because of surgeries and open wounds. Once the bacteria begins to invade the body, it can begin to cause health problems.
What are some of the symptoms of a staph infection? The most common symptoms of a staph infection of the skin includes redness, pus drainage, pain, and inflammation. These symptoms are normally concentrated to the area around the open wound, but may spread from there. This skin infection can progress to other conditions of the body, which can be quite dangerous.
The other conditions of the body that are caused by a staph infection include staphylococcal pneumonia, endocarditis, toxic shock syndrome, staphylococcal food poisoning, mastitis, and more. These conditions can be quite painful and some of them are even life threatening. For example, endocarditis is an infection of the heart valves, which can cause heart failure if not treated. What are some of the treatments for a staph infection?
If the staph infection is minor and on the skin, an antibiotic ointment or cream is used to help treat the infection. An antibiotic may be given orally as well, depending upon the physician, the patient and the skin infection. If the staph infection has begun to spread, stronger antibiotics may be given intravenously. If there is an abscess, this will need to be drained in conjunction with antibiotics. Some staph infection strains, like MRSA, are resistant to certain antibiotics, which causes even more problems.
MRSA, or Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, is one of the most feared forms of a staph infection. This infection has to be aggressively treated with antibiotics that are not in the Methicillin family. This leaves fewer options for healthcare professionals and this particular strain of staph infection can quickly turn into an infection of the blood or bone, which is more dangerous. This is the most common form of staph seen in hospitals, unfortunately, and is spread through physical contact and not through the air.
Having a staph infection is not something to ignore. If you suspect that you may have an infection that is affecting an open wound or injury, visit your doctor. It could be the difference between life and death.
