Staphylococcus is a genus of bacteria that causes Staph infection. The infected area looks yellowish crusting on the skin. Many individuals carry staph bacteria in genitals, anal areas, mouth, nose or foot. The majority of them remain un-infected by it. The different types of infections vary from a simple boil to antibiotic-resistant infections and flesh-eating infections. The different types of staph infections vary on the strength, the speed of spreading and treatability with antibiotic. Any organ system can be affected with staph infection. Food poisoning, toxic shock syndrome, septic arthritis and bacteraemia are some of the causes of staph infection. Certain types of staph like boils and impetigo are contagious. There are new methodologies for Staph Infection treatment.
What are the Staph Infection Symptoms:
Staph infection symptoms depend on the area of infection:
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A small area of tenderness, swelling and redness initiates staph infection. Sometimes it starts with an open sore. If the starph infection spreads, the person may develop a fever with chills and sweats.
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Contaminated food with staph bacteria will cause food poisoning. This further develops the staph infection. Bacteraemia is blood poisoning through veins and gives chance to the staph infection.
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Skin infections with boils, cellulitis and impetigo are other signs of staph infection.
Consult a doctor when skin infections are being passed from one family member to another or two or more family members have skin infections at the same time. There are chances of you having a staph infection.
- Development of redline indicates the spread of infection and immediate medical treatment. Body aches are usual symptoms of MRSA.
Forms of Staph Infection:
Boils, food poisoning, cellulitis, toxic shock syndrome and impetigo are various forms of staph infection. Cellulitis affects the deeper layer of skin. It is more harmful to people with weak immune systems.
Staph Infection Treatment:
- Boils are treated with warm compresses by yourself. Still, if it grows, develops red streaks, or you get a fever, please visit a doctor.
- Impetigo is treated with oral and cream antibiotics.
- Usually, a blood or urine sample is collected for lab diagnosis. Reports decide the further procedure.
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Antibiotics are used to treat staph infection. Most staph infections are treatable with penicillin. But many cases have resistance against antibiotics and their treatment becomes difficult.
- Vancomycin is used to treat serious staph infections. In the case of skin infection, the doctor will drain fluids from the wounds.
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When the infection gets deeper in skin and muscles causing enclosing of muscles, it can be treated with surgery. Usually, Toxic Shock Syndrome is treated with surgery by eliminating foreign material.
- As of now, there is no remedy for food poisoning symptoms caused due to a staph infection. But it resolves itself within 30 hours.
Complications of Staph Infection:
There are several risks associated with the staph infection. Your entire body can be affected if the infection invades your blood streams. It can cause the fatal shock of septic with extremely low blood pressure.
- Septic arthritis is also caused by Staph Infection. The bacteria targets the knees and other joints and cause swellings.
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Scalded skin syndrome is an intense side-effect of staph infection. It breaks the skin layers of the body thereby weakening it. If large areas peel off, it can create dehydration.
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Staph infection can cause lung problems which would lead to breathing problems. Pneumonia can be developed soon.
You can take some preventive measures from your end. Stop sharing towels, clothes, combs, wrist-watches with others. Always wash your hands and keep them clean. Keep cuts and wounds clean and cover them with bandages. If anyone among your acquaintance is facing any minor or major symptoms, suggest them to consult a doctor instantly for Staph Infection treatment. Be tidy and hygienic at the workplace and home. That would prevent bacteria to attack your body. Along with staph infection, several other ailments would be avoided.
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