According to Brian Schwartz, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, approximately 25 percent of the population has Staphylococcus aureus in their nasal passages, but do not have any symptoms. If you have Staphylococcus aureus, if your immune system becomes impaired, or this microorganism is able to overcome your barriers against it, then it is able to cause disease.
Toxic Shock Syndrome
Staphylococcus aureus releases the TSST-1 toxin (poison) The disease is common in infected wounds, Dr. Schwartz writes in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment." You will have a high fever, which starts abruptly, possibly a headache, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, and a rash. It is also common for your skin to peel as you start to recover, especially the skin on your palms and soles.
Infective Endocarditis
Infective endocarditis inflammation of the innermost surface of your heart, but your heart valves will be affected as well. Many bacteria can cause infective endocarditis, but Staphylococcus aureus is usually the cause when your valve was previously healthy. With endocarditis, you will have fever and chills, feel weak and sweaty.
Skin Infections
Staphylococcus aureus causes a skin infection called impetigo. This infection can also be caused by S. pyogenes. Impetigo mainly affects children, giving them golden-brown lesions that are commonly seen on their face, arms and legs. But Staphylococcus aureus also causes what is referred to as folliculitis, or an inflammation and infection around your hair follicles. The folliculitis can develop and become a boil, also called a furuncle, then continue to spread and infect deeper tissues to now give you a carbuncle. This microorganism also commonly causes abscesses and on rare occasions, causes a severe infection called necrotizing fasciitis.
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is the infection and inflammation of a bone. There are several bacteria that can cause osteomyelitis, but most cases are due to Staphylococcus aureus. You will have a fever; with pain, swelling and redness in the area over your infected bone.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the membrane that covers your stomach and your intestines. According to Thomas Boyce, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, most cases of gastroenteritis are caused by viruses, but Staphylococcus aureus can also cause this disease. In this case, you get it from food poisoning. It usually gets into your food via the food preparer. Then it multiplies quite fast and makes a toxin. And since the toxin is already in the food before you eat it, you get sick relatively fast, with 2 to 6 hours, with nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is inflammation of your lung. Other bacteria are the most common cause of pneumonia, but you will be susceptible to develop pneumonia that is caused by Staphylococcus aureus if you have recently had the flu.
References
- "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2009"; Stephen McPhee, M.D., Maxine Papadakis, M.D.; 2009
- "Introduction to Microbiology"; John Ingraham, Catherine Ingraham; 1995
- The Merck Manual: Gastroenteritis
