more info on Staph

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Namaste Marilet

 

I received more medical info on Stapth

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Liliana

 

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Staph (pronounced " staff " ) is medical quick speak for staphylococcus aureus

bacteria. This pesky little bacterium is very common (many people have some

living on their skin all the time), but when it enters the human body, usually

through an open cut or break in the skin, it can cause infection and trouble

anywhere in the body. Staph infections tend to be pus-producing. Common minor

(or

relatively minor) skin infections caused by staph include:

>

> Folliculitis Infections of hair follicles that cause itchy white pus-filled

bumps on the skin (often where people shave or have irritations from skin

rubbing against clothes)

> Boils

> Infections deeper within hair follicles that leave large, frequently red

inflammations (often occur on the face or neck)

> Sties

> Infection of the follicle surrounding the eyelashes, causing a sore red

bump in the eyelid

> Impetigo

> The infection kids often get around their mouths and noses that causes

blisters and red scabby skin

> Abscesses

> Infection characterized by pus and swelling that can occur in the skin and

in any other organ.

> Staph infection is also the leading culprit behind cases of food poisoning,

and can be to blame for larger life threatening conditions, such as Toxic

Shock Syndrome (TSS), pneumonia, bone infections (osteomyelitis), mastitis in

nursing mothers, endocarditis (infection of the inside of the heart), and

bacteremia (blood infection). People who are otherwise healthy typically do not

usually become severely ill from staph infections, but those at special risk,

who

have weakened immune systems, include:

>

> persons with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, lung disease,

kidney disease, or HIV/AIDS

> people with various skin conditions

> the elderly

> newborns

> people recovering from major surgery

> injection drug users (especially those who reuse needles)

> people whose immune systems are weakened due to steroid use, radiation

therapy, cancer treatment, immunosuppressive medications

> women who are breastfeeding

> Health care professionals can determine that staph (and not some other

bacteria) is the cause of an infection by taking a culture (usually a swab from

what looks like a giant Q-tip) from the infected site. Once staph has been

diagnosed, the provider will prescribe antibiotics that are known to work on

that

specific strain of the bacteria. These antibiotics (usually either pills or

creams applied to the infected body part) typically kill the bacteria and cure

the infection within a week or two.

> Hospitals are working to stamp out staph infections, in part because the

majority of hospital patients fall into at least one " at-risk " category, but

also because drug-resistant strains of staph (versions of the bacteria that

aren't killed by one or more of the antibiotics that are commonly used to treat

staph infections) are becoming an increasingly common threat. These

drug-resistant strains of staph do not cause worse or different infections than

non-resistant strains, but they can be much harder to treat because the most

common (and

easiest to use) antibiotics may not be effective. People with resistant staph

infections may require hospitalization to receive antibiotics through an IV or

by injection.

> Because improper use of antibiotics can help produce resistance to drugs,

making future infections much harder to treat, the American Medical Association

recommends that patients:

>

> follow the directions for any prescription exactly

> take all of the medicine prescribed (even if one feels better after only a

few days)

> never save old, leftover prescriptions for future use

> never take anyone else's prescription antibiotics

> Other preventative measures are careful treatment of all skin conditions,

including wound care after trauma or surgery, IV drug users taking precautions

when injecting, and people with special risk factors being attentive to early

symptoms of staph.