Staphylococcus Aureus Infection

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacteria. Under the microscope, you can view these spherical bacteria in clusters resembling a bunch of grapes. The Staphylococcus aureus bacteria is a common inhabitant of the nose lining as well as skin of normal, healthy humans. There are two types of staphylococci described by Rosenbach in 1884. The first type of the Staphylococcus aureus that produces yellow colonies and the second is Staphylococcus albus, which produces white colonies on growth culture. Of the 32 species of Staphylococcus mentioned in the Bergy's Manual of classification of bacteria (2001), only these two species are found to cause significant infections in humans. Staphylococcus albus has been renamed as Staphylococcus epidermidis. In the following paragraphs, we shall concentrate more on the causes, symptoms, treatment as well prevention of Staphylococcus aureus infection.

Causes
Many people have a question as to what is staph infection? Staphylococcus aureus is the most infectious of all types of Staphylococci. It is present as a normal flora on the skin, nose and perineum of about 25 to 30% healthy individuals. It normally does not cause any infection. However, the causes include damage or injury to skin that allows these organisms to gain entry into the body. Once the protective barrier of the skin is breached, they cause infections. Newborn infants, people with diabetes, cancer, lung diseases, vascular disease and breast-feeding women are at risk of developing Staphylococcus aureus infection.

Those who need to inject drugs into their bodies for medical reasons or substance abusers are also at risk of developing these infections. Skin injury, skin disorders, intravenous catheters, surgical incisions, etc., put one at risk of Staph infection. A weak immune system is the main cause of contracting Staphylococcus aureus infection. S. aureus can spread through contact with contaminated hands. Those whose suffer from mucosal damage due to a viral infection, also develop the infection. The organism gains entry into the underlying tissues and bloodstream, causing infection.

MSRA Infections Causes
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a strain of bacteria that has undergone mutation. This mutation has made this bacteria resistant to antibiotics like penicillin and other antibiotics of the penicillin family. The mercer staph infection is mostly seen in patients who are hospitalized for a long time. This type of infection is called hospital acquired MSRA infections. A new type of infection is seen that affects healthy adults as well as children. It spreads in people who come in contact with the organism in locker rooms, schools, gyms, etc. This type of infection is called community acquired MSRA infection. This is a very serious complication as the organism is resistant to most of the drugs that can treat the infection. The MSRA staph infection can turn deadly, if not controlled in the early stages.

Symptoms
Staphylococcus aureus infection usually occurs as a skin condition. Swelling, redness, pain around the cut or injury are the first Staphylococcus aureus infection symptoms. The infection may form a skin abscess, that is a pocket of infection at the injury site. The abscess is full of pus and turns red. It is usually very painful and feels warm to touch.

Another Staphylococcus aureus symptoms is cellulitis. The infection occurs in the under layers of skin. A cut, scrape or simple injury leads to cellulitis. It is mostly seen on the arms and legs. It can occur anywhere on the body. The symptoms of cellulitis include redness, pain and swelling at the infection site.

Serious Staphylococcus aureus infection can lead to many life-threatening complications. These complications include pneumonia, surgical wound infection, blood infection (bacteremia), etc. The serious Staphylococcus aureus infection symptoms are as follows:

• Skin rash
• Shortness of breath
• Tender or swollen lymph nodes
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Lethargy
• Headache
• Malaise
• Pimple or boils on face or the spine

Treatment
The Staphylococcus aureus infection treatment generally includes draining the abscess. Antibiotics are used to treat a staph infection. Serious cases of staph infection are treated using intravenous antibiotics. Vancomycin, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, linezolid, etc., are used for Staphylococcus aureus treatment. One should keep the area of infection clean, dry and use warm compress to cure the infection. There are many alternative remedies like herbal medicines available for staph infection treatment.

Prevention
Many people often ask is staph infection contagious. The answer is yes, it is contagious. But, one can try some prevention steps to avoid an infection. There are many simple ways that help in Staphylococcus aureus infection prevention. Let us discuss some of the Staphylococcus aureus infection prevention tips.

• If one gets a cut or scrape, clean it with an antibiotic solution and keep the injury clean.
• Wash your hands as often as you can; as this infection spreads through contact like a hand shake.
• You should avoid skin to skin contact with people around you as much as possible.
• Use clean lines, towels, clothes, etc., to avoid spread of infection.
• Avoid sharing your personal items like towels, handkerchief, combs, brushes, sports equipment, etc., with others.
• Follow a balanced diet consisting of fresh vegetables, fruits, etc., to keep your immune system strong.

This was some information related to Staphylococcus aureus infection causes, symptoms and prevention. Staphylococci are known to cause impetigo, mastitis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, sepsis, food poisoning and many other serious infections. Thus, proper hygiene and hand washing will help prevent these infections. Hope you have found some useful information on staph infection in the above paragraphs. Remember, prevention is better than cure.