Staph Infection - Staphylococcus Aureus

MRSA staph infections (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) have been in the news lately because of a few outbreaks of the infection across the country, particularly in schools. MRSA is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics and can be deadly.

Symptoms of MRSA Staph Infection
MRSA infections begin to appear as small red bumps which look like pimplez, boils, or insect bites. These bumps often turn into larger abscesses that are usually very painful. The bacteria causing the infection can also go deeper into the body and becoming deadly. The MRSA infection can move into the bones, joints, bloodstream, heart, lungs, and other wounds in the body.

MRSA Treatments and Medications
Although the MRSA infection is resistant to many types of antibiotics, there are still ways to treat this staph infection. The anibiotic vancomycin is often used to treat MRSA. However, although this antibiotic is effective in treating the infection, MRSA can become resistant to it- something that has already occurred in a few hospitals.

MRSA Prevention and Tips
MRSA can be prevented with simple hand washing. People should also not share personal items such as razors and athletic equipment. Additionally, any wounds, cuts, or abrasions should be kept clean and covered. Learn more ways to protect against Staph Infections such as MRSA at About Infections.

The leading causes of staph infection include germ mutation, unnecessary use of antibiotics and antibiotics in food and water.

The first sign of a skin staph infection is usually a swelling, redness, and pain- particularly around the area of a cut or scrape. Other staph infection symptoms may include:
-A skin abscess
-Pus from the infected area
-Fever
-Warmth around infected area

More serious staph infections can cause life-threatening infections such as pneumonia, surgical wound infections, and infections in the blood stream. Notify a doctor if these more serious staph infection symptoms occur:
-Rash
-Shortness of breath
-Swollen or tender lymph nodes
-Fever
-Chills
-Chest pain
-Fatigue
-A boil on the face or spine
-Muscle aches
-General feeling of sickness
-Red streaks radiating from the infection area
-Headache

Staph infection can range from minor to life-threatening, so it's important to contact a doctor if serious symptoms occur. Skin problems such as pimples, insect bites, cuts, and scrapes should be monitored (especially in children). Contact your doctor if symptoms of staph infection are present or if a previously treated staph infection worsens.

To diagnose, tests for staph infection are done before starting treatment. Cultures are often times used to diagnose staph infections, however results usually cannot be obtained quickly. Newer tests use DNA samples to diagnose infections within a couple of days. Blood tests and urine analysis can also be used to diagnose staff infections. Sometimes x-rays may even be used.

Many skin staph infections can be treated by having a doctor drain the infected abscess. However, many times treating a staph infection still must be done with antibiotics. More serious staph infections may need to be treated with intravenous antibiotics. Keeping the area clean and applying warm, moist compresses may also improve the infection. Some herbal and alternative therapies also exist to treat staph infections.

Antibiotics used to treat staff infections include:
Vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled)
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS)
Linezolid (Zyvox)

To Prevent Community-Associated Staph Infections:
-Cover cuts and scrapes to keep them clean
-Wash hands often
-Avoid skin-to-skin contact
-Keep linens, such as towels and athletic clothes sanitized
-Do not share clothes, hats, combs, sports equipment, and other personal items
-Maintain a diet full of vitamin rich vegetables

Please visit About Infections for more information about staph infections. This website includes information about staph causes, staph infection symptoms, staph diagnosis, staph infection treatment, and preventing staph infections.