Staph bacteria, short for staphylococcus, are normally found on the skin and in the nose. When staph grow out of control, they can cause potentially deadly skin infections or food poisoning if ingested. The bacteria look like small clusters of grapes when viewed under a microscope.
Types
According to Todar's Online Textbook of Bacteriology, more than 20 different species of staphylococcus bacteria exist, but only two typically cause infection and disease in people. Staphylococcus aureus causes most cases of disease, including infecting the blood, lungs, urinary tract and heart. It may also cause food poisoning. Staphylococcus epidermidis tends not to cause disease in healthy people, but may infect individuals who are immunocompromised or who are under hospital care.
Infections
Staph infections of the skin may cause blisters, boils or a painful rash. If the infection travels into the bloodstream, it may cause blood poisoning. Skin staph infections are usually treated with antibiotics, but some strains have developed resistance to standard antibiotics and are difficult to treat. Food poisoning from staph occurs when food becomes contaminated from staph via the skin of an infected person who prepares or handles the food, explains Dr. Alan Greene. After being kept at room temperature for a while, the bacteria grow in the food and if ingested, cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Staph may also cause toxic shock syndrome, septic arthritis and pneumonia.
Complications
According to MayoClinic.com, one major complication caused by staph is when a skin infection moves into the blood, and sepsis, or a blood infection, develops. Sepsis can spread throughout the body and cause problems in many different bodily systems. Septic shock may lead to coma and death if the affected person's blood pressure drops too low. In babies and small children, scalded skin syndrome may cause an infection that spreads over the skin of the entire body, which can be potentially deadly.
Prevention/Solution
Staph skin infections may be avoided by washing hands frequently and by taking care to keep wounds covered. Sharing personal items such as sports equipment, razors or towels should also be avoided. To keep food from growing staph bacteria that will cause food poisoning, it should be refrigerated after being cooked or prepared. Because proper food handling can prevent most cases of staph food poisoning, it is important to keep prevention in mind as food is being prepared.
Considerations
Staph infections of the skin are especially common among children and teens due to the close-contact conditions of day care, school and sporting activities. Parents should be careful to teach children how to avoid staph and watch for signs of the disease. Because antibiotic-resistant staph is becoming more prevalent, a doctor should be consulted at any sign of a staph infection in children or adults so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.
