So maybe you've heard of staph. But how much do you really know about it? Did you know that hospitals are a common hotbed for staph infections? Or that many strains of the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics?
Learn these and other facts about the bacteria and infection. But first, a little background.
What Is Staph?
Staph germs, formally known as staphylococcus, are a group of bacteria that can cause many diseases, either by direct infection or by producing toxins that create medical problems.
Food poisoning, boils, impetigo, cellulitis, toxic shock syndrome and MRSA are some examples of diseases caused by staph germs. Typically, staph problems begin when a local infection generates a collection of pus that is painful, red and swollen. It is important to seek treatment because the infection can spread as bacteria colonize other areas, preventing healing and spreading the infection.
Infection in any instance is a problem, but if it occurs during surgery, it can be fatal. It is estimated that 70 percent of surgical deaths are caused by infections at the incision site.
Staph infections are a problem, but one in particular presents major issues. That one is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus, sometimes called multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is usually known by its acronym, MRSA.
One of the so-called “superbugs,” MRSA is resistant to standard antibiotics. It is becoming more common, and infections have shown up in locker rooms, nursing homes, gyms, schools, subways, airports and more. MRSA is a tough bug to kill, and the infection can escalate into life-threatening complications, attacking major organs, joints and the bloodstream.
MRSA infections are particularly dangerous in hospitals, where many patients have open wounds and highly fragile immune systems.
While MRSA is a real danger, even regular staph germs can escalate into life-threatening problems. Most staph-infected wounds are caused by bacteria found:
· On the skin
· On other parts of the body
· In the outside environment
When a wound breaks the skin and ruptures the protective barrier, it allows the bacteria to colonize the interior. This causes inflammation, which delays healing and may further damage the tissue, and extreme pain, swelling, redness, pus discharge and sometimes a foul odor. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacteria found in wound infection.
Ten Facts About Staph Germs
Because staph germs are all around and on us, it is good to be armed with knowledge about what they are and how they are acquired. Here are 10 good-to-know facts about the germs.
1) Certain disorders and medications can make you more susceptible.
These include people who:
· Have diabetes and are insulin users
· Have compromised immune systems, particularly those afflicted with HIV/AIDS
· Have kidney failure that requires dialysis
· Take medications that suppress the immune system
· Have cancer or are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer
· Have skin diseases or skin damage, including eczema, insect bites or injuries that open the skin
· Have a respiratory illness like emphysema or cystic fibrosis
2) Hospitals are particular hotbeds of staph. Despite extreme precautions, the nature of a hospital means it will have more people who are susceptible. This includes burn victims, people with weak immune systems, and those undergoing surgery or who have other breaks in the skin. Hospital infections can occur from invasive medical tools like urinary catheters, feeding tubes, breathing tubes and intravascular catheters.
3) Proper wound dressing is key. Even if a wound is treated, there is no guarantee that a staph infection will not develop. If a wound was improperly dressed under unsanitary conditions, dirt can infiltrate the wound. Similarly, elderly people or diabetics who sustain wounds need special attention because of their inability to fight infection.
4) Wounds can lead to other problems. A wound that does not heal will soon start to generate extreme pain that may spread the infection to surrounding tissues. If it reaches the bone, it can create a bone infection known as osteomyelitis. A bloodstream infection can spread infection throughout the body.
5) Not all infections happen at the surface. A cut can become infected deep into a wound without generating problems on the surface. A pus pocket called an abscess can form, with pain and swelling felt inside the body. Surgery and intravenous antibiotics may be required at that point to treat the issue.
6) Some wounds need more than a bandage. Animal or human bites require doctors to administer antibiotics to stop the infection. It’s also necessary for the doctor to make sure the animal was not rabid and to find out the date of the patient's last tetanus shot.
7) MRSA is different. MRSA infections do not affect only large gashes in the skin. Small cuts may not be noticed when they occur, and when people come into contact through shared objects like towels, razors or touching the infection, problems ensue. Hairy people are particularly good spreaders of MRSA -- the infection loves to enter the body through hair follicles. Symptoms can escalate to chest pain and shortness of breath, coughing, and a feeling akin to the onset of a cold or flu.
8) There are two types of MRSA. While there are at least seven known variants, the two main types of MRSA are called hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) and community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA). CA-MRSA comes from outside of a medical facility.
9) MRSA causes toxic shock syndrome. When first discovered in the late 1970s, this staph-related infection caused a panic because many women believed they could contract it from leaving in tampons too long. This is partly true; tampons are the cause, but not by themselves. Left in too long, they can create abrasions and cuts that allow staph germs to enter the bloodstream, creating complications.
10) Staph bacteria evolve. Antibiotic overuse has led to staph germs developing defenses against the antibiotics that attack them. Many are now resistant to several types of antibiotics, and it is estimated that only about 10 percent of staph infections can be cured with the granddaddy of antibiotics, penicillin. There are other antibiotics that can be used, but many have side effects.
As with any condition or disease, see a doctor promptly to have the best chance of fighting off infection and its complications. Staph germs need to be treated by a professional to minimize problems and maximize recovery.