Staph infection also scientifically referred to as Staphylococcus. Staphylococcus is a kind of bacteria which is characterized by its shape that is round or spheroid shape. This bacterium is Gram-stain positive and can be found either in paired or single cells; it may also be found in clusters with under microscopic imaging looks like a bunch of grid.
The word ‘Staphylococcus’ is taken from the Greek word staphyle and kokkos which refers to a bunch of grapes; as mentioned above this is how the bacteria looks after gram-staining under microscope. It was Rosenbach who first named as well as described Staphylococcus bacteria. There are two major types of staphylococcus that is categorized on the basis of bacteria’s ability to generate coagulase, which is an enzyme that has the potential to develop blood clots. Not all but most of the infections in human may be caused due to coagulase- positive and other such staphylococcus.
Staph Infection can be contagious
A staph infection can become contagious if the wound weeps or drains, or if people share towels and other items that are contaminated. You should get immediate medical attention if the sore becomes red or painful. If there are red lines around the wound, it is a sign that there is an infection spreading and needs quick medical help
Causes
Staph infection can occur due to affliction of S. aureus virus. The virus S. aureus first of all affects the skin and other layering structures, such as hair follicles, sebaceous glands etc. It also invades affected or damaged skin such as cuts, scratch etc. In some cases the infection may be mild and limited, however, in most cases the infection may progress and spread to other surface of skin. Moreover, these bacteria may also expand and reach out in your bloodstreams causing bacteremia. It may also afflict many body organs and may lead to infections such as abscess, bone infection (Osteomyelitis), endocardium inflammation, pneumonia etc. These conditions may be harmful or may also serve to be fatal to the affected individual.
In case of staph infection the virus S. aureus leads to secretion of exotoxins as well as enzymes. These may also increase the severity or may cause diseases. The diseases or disorder caused may include septic shock, food borne illness, TSS or Toxic shock syndrome and Pemphigus neonatorum also known as scaled skin syndrome, etc. However, in case of S epidermidis infection is not usual but people who have suppressed immune system may get affected by infection. However, it is studied that person who are with an implanted device after surgery or even an integrated catheter are at risk of developing S. epidermis infection.
Staph infection symptoms:
Staph infection have some noticeable symptoms such as reddishness on protruded skin region. There may also be blisters and may have pus on the affected region on the skin. The region of the infection may also have foul odor. Cellulitis usually has redness as well as protrusion but without pus; however occasional blisters may also be experienced. There are chances that internal organ may have some conditions such as pneumonia, abscess, etc. However, these insidious conditions may be determined only through diagnosis such as x- ray or magnetic resonance imaging.
If staph infection is treated timely before it progresses to become severe, there are good chances of the condition to get cured quickly. Hence, it is better to consult a certified doctor immediately if any of the symptoms of staph infection is experienced.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of staph infection includes determining the bacteria from a localized infected region of the body. Any region that has crusty drainage, vesication or blister pus is examined. There are also several blood tests done on patients with conditions such as sepsis or pneumonia etc. There are certain microbiological techniques that may help in identifying the staph behind the staph infection; these examinations may include tests on braid parker agar or coagulase- positive test. S. aureus causes lysis of red blood cell in the blood on agar plates which is not seen in the case of S. epirdermis.
The condition should be further examined to see that bacteria are curing or it is resistant to antibiotics such as methicillin or other suitable medications. If S. aureus is resistant to methicillin they are called MRSA or Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. If bacteria is MSRA they may also be resistant to other antibiotics; hence, these tests are important.
Treatment of Staph infection
There are two important types of staph infection treatment, namely, surgical treatment and regime of antibiotics. However, in people who underwent surgical treatment may also require antibiotic to avoid further or remaining infection in the body. The main surgical treatment for staph infection focuses on drainage of pus. However, in some cases removal of possible source of infection may be removed. Surgery may also be done related to infection of joints, bone or bone marrow infection, abscess developed after a surgical treatment, or tissues shedding staph, etc.
There are several antibiotics including nafcillin, methicillin, ceazolin, clindamycin as well as bactrim etc, which are efficacious in counteracting staph, provided the bacteria should not be MRSA staph. However, bacteria which are MRSA may be treated using other antibiotics. In case of minor skin infection bactroban or mupirocin may be used, but in case of severe MSRA the doctor may prescribe a combination of antibiotics which may be used to treat the disease. The combination of antibiotics may include vancomysin, nifampin etc.
Prevention of Staph infection:
Rather than getting afflicted with staph it is better to prevent the condition from happening. Approximately 11 percent to 49 percent of the world’s population contains staph in nasal, sebaceous gland or other skin regions. In most cases the bacteria is also transited through infection individuals, when an uninfected person comes in direct contact with the carrier or other infected sources. As long as an individual is affected with staph there are chances that he may spread the infection to other. The transmission of infection can be done by avoiding skin abrasions or wounds; one should immediately treat such issues.
It is essential for the affected person to follow effective hygiene. One should wash hands frequently and use handkerchief while coughing and sneezing. It should be known that a person whose immune system is weak is at higher risk of getting infected. Use sterile material if any person in house has staph infection.
Staph Infection Pictures
Have a look at staph infection photos to see how it can affect the area.
