Staph infection

Staph infection Staph infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria, types of germs usually found on the skin, mouth, genitals or anal area, or in the nose of even healthy and fit individuals. Most of the time, these bacteria cause no problems or result in fairly minor skin infections. The bacteria could cause various side effects in different people.

What is a staph infection?

Staph is a type of bacteria that exists in many different places including our own skin. When we get a cut or some break in our skin, the staph bacteria reacts with the wound so as to cause an infection to the affected part of the skin.

Causes of staph infection Most of the people just about have the staph bacteria thriving on the skin, but this may be harmless and may never result in a skin infection. The bacteria have the capability of living on non living things also and hence transmission of these bacteria is very easy. Staph infections may cause various health conditions due to direct infection or due to the creation of toxins by the bacteria. Sores, impetigo, food poisoning, cellulites, and toxic tremor syndrome are all examples of diseases that can be caused by Staphylococcus. The foot is also very susceptible to picking up bacteria from the floor.

Symptoms of Staph infection 

Boils. The most common form of staph infection is the boil, which contains the fluid or the pus. It develops in the hair follicles or the oil glands of the skin. As one of the first and primary symptoms, the staph infection causes inflammation and redness in the affected area.

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Impetigo. Impetigo is a medical term used for large blisters that contain fluid and have a crust on top which is golden brown in color.

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Cellulitis: This is a medical condition which affects the deep layers of the skin resulting in the skin becoming red and inflamed. Ulcers or sores may also be triggered with oozing fluid. Cellulites are a condition that primarily affects the lower part of the legs and goes down up to the feet.

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Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome: There are various toxins produced by the staph bacterial invasion in the body which could result in a condition called as staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. This condition mostly affects infants and small children and is often accompanied with other symptoms like fever, rashes and blisters. As the blisters break open

the skin covering the blister comes off leaving a patch of raw skin that often resembles a burn mark. 

Food borne Staph infection: Staph infection that results from contaminated food doesn't show symptoms like fever. There are other signs like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, severe dehydration or reduced blood pressure levels.

Complications Associated with the Staph Bacteria Bacteremia This condition is also known as blood poisoning and generally occurs when the staph bacteria gets into the blood of the infected person. The condition normally shows up concerning symptoms like lower blood pressure and fever. This form of bacterial invasion in the blood can prove to be highly harmful as the bacteria goes deep into the body eventually affecting the primary organs of the body like the brain, heart and the lungs. It could also affect the functioning of the bones and muscles of the body. In case of hospitals, the bacteria is known to get into surgical and hospital equipments further infecting the person using these equipments.

Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxic shock syndrome is a life threatening condition that occurs as various toxins from the staph bacteria enter the body through various sources. The most common sources of the stay bacteria are connected to the use of tampons, deep skin cuts, and surgical procedures. The most common symptoms associated with the condition are: 

High grade temperature

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Vomiting or nausea

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Severe rashes all over the palms and the hands that look similar to sun burns

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Severe confusion

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Muscular and body aches and pains

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Severe diarrhea or loose motions

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Pain in the aabdominal region

Septic arthritis Septic arthritis is a condition that often occurs due to a staph infection. In this case the bacteria often hits the knee joints however the infection could also spread to other areas including ankles, hips, wrist and the elbows. The symptoms could also result in 

Swelling of the joints

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Pain in the joints affected

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High or low temperature

Is staph infection contagious?

Staph is a type of bacteria that lives in many different places including our own skin. When we get a cut or some break in our skin, the staph bacteria which is already present in our skin gets inside our skin and causes an infection to that area of skin. So technically speaking one does not develop this infection by touching a person who has been infected with staph bacteria.

Treatment for Staph infection Staph infections are often treated with various types of medications which could be topical applications, oral, or IV antibiotics, largely depending upon the intensity and the type of infection but staph infections can turn deadly if the bacteria invade deeper into your body, entering your bloodstream, joints, bones, lungs or heart. Maintaining hygiene like washing hands and feet regularly is one of the best ways in which the infection spread can be controlled or prevented.