1. Skin Infections as a Leading Staph Infection Cause
Staph bacteria can cause an infection by invading your body through a cut or scrape in the skin. Openings in the skin don't have to be gaping wounds to invite staph infection. Nicks from shaving are all necessary to start the infection. People with certain skin conditions, such eczema or psoriasis, should be careful of staph infections, since their skin is more fragile.
2. Staph Infections Thrive in Certain Foods
Staph bacteria thrive in creamy foods like mayonnaise, eggs and puddings left at room temperature. Keeping these high-risk foods in the refrigerator at the proper temperature is key to cutting down staph infections.
3. Toxic Shock Syndrome is a Staph Infection
Toxic shock syndrome is an infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep) or Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria. The most common link to toxic shock syndrome is tampon use. In the 1980s, it was unclear why tampon use was producing often fatal infections in women. It is still unclear if the tampon themselves is a breeding ground for staph bacteria, or if the tampon irritates tiny cuts in the vagina, allowing bacteria to enter. Either way, unhygienic use of tampons can lead to toxic shock syndrome. Toxic shock can also occur in men, children and women who don't use tampons. Toxic shock syndrome can target the lungs, kidneys and liver.
4. People with Arthritis are Susceptible to Staph Infections
Septic arthritis occurs when staph bacteria spread to an arthritic joint from an infection in another area of the body. Medication for rheumatoid arthritis suppresses the body's immune systems, making patients more susceptible to infection.
5. MSRA Staph Infections Continue to Rise
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) staph infections once only happened in hospitals. In the 1970s, MRSA staph infections accounted for only 2% of all staph infections. However, by the late 1990s, MRSA infections frequently began appearing outside of medical facilities. CA-MRSA (community-associated MRSA) is rising due to the overuse of antibiotics. More virulent strains of staph are finding their way into the community, causing widespread epidemics. Because carriers of CA-MRSA may not be sick, they can easily spread the bacteria to others from everyday items, such as remote controls, telephones or towels.
