Reducing your risk of staph infections

We may not like to think about it but we each have staph bacteria living on and in us. The germs of staph are commonly found on the skin or in the noses of healthy people. There are more than 30 different types of staph bacteria and the one that usually causes infection is called Staphylococcus aureus.

What threat does a staph infection cause?

This bacterium can turn into a staph infection causing boils, blisters, and rashes to break out on the skin.  There is also always the risk a staph infection could take a turn for the worse with the potential of becoming life-threatening.  If the bacterium manages to enter into the body through a wound or surgical incision, it will have easy access to spread through the body to the blood, bones, or major organs like the heart and lungs.

Signs of a staph infection

It is important to be familiar with recognizing signs of a staph infection.  The sooner it is suspected and diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin with less likelihood of a more serious problem.

Signs of a staph infection include the following:

·      Redness

·      Warmth

·      Swelling

·      Tenderness

·      Blisters or boils

It is possible for staph infections to occur spontaneously in healthy people without a wound.  Staph infections can also develop after a stem cell or organ transplant.  Other conditions indicating a staph infection include impetigo, which is a painful rash and cellulitis, an infection of the deeper layers of the skin resulting in redness and swelling, are also methods of how staph infection begin.

Who is at risk ?

Staph can infect anyone at any age, but certain people are at a higher risk for developing a serious infection.  These include people who:

·      Have an open wound or sore

·      Have recently been in a hospital or other healthcare facility for a long time

·      Have a weakened immune system or chronic illness, such as people with cancer

·      Have an implanted medical device, such as an artificial joint

·      Live with or have close contact with a person who has a staph infection

·      Receive kidney dialysis

Steps preventing a staph infection

In order to reduce the risk of developing a staph infection, there are several steps you can take which include the following:

·      Clean and cover wounds – Anytime you get a cut or wound, wash it immediately with soap and water to prevent infection.  Antibiotic ointments and other antiseptic products are often not needed.  Keep the wound clean and covered with a sterile, dry bandage until it’s fully healed.  If the wound does become infected with staph, it will need to be treated.  To prevent spread to other areas of the body or to other people, cover the wound since pus containing staph can leak from an infected wound.

·      Wash hands thoroughly – It is very important to practice careful hand washing to help prevent staph from spreading.  It is recommended to wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, particularly after touching infected areas.

·      Avoid sharing personal items – Staph is easily spread from person to person by objects that may be shared such as razors, bed sheets, clothing, towels, and athletic equipment.  Staph bacteria can survive on clothing and bedding that have not been washed as well.  Always wash bedding, towels, and clothing thoroughly of anyone who has a staph infection and avoid sharing personal items.

·      Wash hands before and after visiting anyone in the hospital – Hospitals can be a haven for staph bacteria.  If you are visiting someone in a hospital or other healthcare facility such as a nursing home, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water before and after leaving the room or facility or using the bathroom.