Staph infection how does it spread

Many healthy people normally have staph on their skin, in their noses, or other body areas. Most of the time, the germ does not cause an infection or symptoms. This is called being colonized with staph. These people are known as carriers. They can spread staph to others. Some people colonized by staph develop an actual staph infection that makes them sick. Most staph germs are spread by skin-to-skin contact. They can also be spread when you touch something that has the staph germ on it, such as clothing or a towel.

Staph germs can then enter a break in the skin, such as cuts, scratches, or pimples. Usually the infection is minor and stays in the skin. But the infection can spread deeper and affect the blood, bones, or joints. Organs such as the lungs, heart, or brain can also be affected. Serious cases can be life threatening. Symptoms depend on where the infection is located.

For example, with a skin infection you may have a boil or a painful rash called impetigo. With a serious infection, such as toxic shock syndrome , you may have a high fever, nausea and vomiting, and a sunburn-like rash. Staphylococcus infections - self-care at home; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections - self-care at home; MRSA infections - self-care at home. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Vital signs: Staph infections can kill. Updated March 22, Accessed June 18, Athletes should shower right after a game, competition, or practice. Also, wash your workout clothes and uniforms regularly, and keep your equipment clean.

One of the most serious complications of a staph infection happens when the bacteria invade the bloodstream and cause an inflammatory response known as sepsis.

Sepsis can turn into septic shock , a life-threatening condition that causes your blood pressure to drop dramatically and additionally causes organ damage. More than 1. In the United States, sepsis is the leading cause of death in hospitals.

Sepsis is more common in very young children, older adults, and those with chronic diseases or weakened immune systems. Still, a CDC report released in March found that more than , people had a bloodstream staph infection in the United States in , and nearly 20, died.

The report also stated that while rates of MRSA bloodstream infections acquired in hospital settings declined by about 17 percent annually from to , the rate of decline slowed from to Meanwhile, the rate of community-onset MRSA declined by an average of 6. The rate of hospital-onset methicillin-susceptible S.

Staph infections, including MRSA, can affect children and may be more common in those who spend time at daycare facilities, and in kids who play team sports, notes the University of Rochester. Sometimes staph bacteria can transfer from one animal to another, from a human to an animal, and in some cases, from an animal to a human. Talk to your veterinarian if you think your pet might have an infection, notes PetMD. Anyone can develop a staph infection, but some research suggests that Black Americans in particular may be more susceptible to staph infections than people of other backgrounds.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that Black Americans and people age 65 and older were among the most likely to contract a serious MRSA infection. The researchers theorized that Black people may be more susceptible to the infection than white people because they have higher rates of underlying medical conditions. Other research, published in September in Clinical Infectious Diseases, found that racial disparities in healthcare-associated MRSA infections persisted from to , even while the overall incidence of such infections decreased, with Black Americans having a 2 to 3 times higher incidence than white Americans.

More studies need to be conducted to determine why MRSA affects difference races at different rates. These are some of the other germs to be aware of, per Medline Plus: Some of the same preventive steps that can lower your risk of a staph infection, including keeping your hands and body clean and not sharing personal items such as towels and razors, can also help to reduce your risk of skin infections from other causes as well.

Mayo Clinic. Trusted resource Mayo Clinic breaks down what you need to know about Staphylococcus aureus , or staph, in simple terms without dumbing it down.

Yep, covered here. Different types of infections, from skin to food poisoning to blood infections? When you want to dig deep into the topic of staph infections, MedlinePlus is the place to start, with links to articles on the kinds of infections staph can cause, research articles, Spanish-language resources, and ongoing clinical trials related to staph infections.

Consumer Reports. The gym can be a breeding ground for skin infections, including staph, which is why you hope the person who used the exercise machine before you wiped it off. But germs can lurk in other parts of the gym, such as the showers or the sauna. Consumer Reports tells you what to do to avoid bringing a skin infection home from the gym. NYU Langone Health.

A staph infection can lead to more serious infections, such as cellulitis. So how do you prevent a staph infection in the first place? This site tells you how. KidsHealth From Nemours. Kids and teens get staph infections, too, but frequent hand-washing and daily showering or bathing can help to prevent them.

Learn how to protect your home and family as well as how to recognize a staph infection should one occur. World Health Organization.

Bacterial infections occur worldwide, and effective antibiotics are needed to treat them. But when bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics — which tends to occur when antibiotics are given at low doses for short periods for viral infections — common bacterial infections, including some staph infections, become harder to treat. Learn what you can do as an individual to help control the spread of antibiotic resistance. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: September 1, Medically Reviewed. Types of Staph Infections There are two types of staph infections, broadly speaking: skin infections and invasive infections. Anyone can get a staph infection, but certain factors increase your odds. One study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that staph is more likely spread from person to person in a residence that: 5 Has a lower cleanliness score based on observations of odor, clutter, and grime Is rented and crowded Houses people who share bedrooms, towels, or hygiene items Contains MRSA contamination on surfaces Hygiene habits that reduced the risk of staph spread among household members include showering instead of taking baths, brushing teeth twice daily, and practicing frequent hand-washing.

In addition to antibiotics, sometimes surgery is also needed to drain a wound, abscess, or boil. Prevention of Staph Infection Staph bacteria are everywhere. Some simple measures that can help prevent the spread of staph include: Stay clean. Cover wounds. Put a bandage on any skin wounds until they heal completely. Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States.

Staph Infection in Kids Staph infections, including MRSA, can affect children and may be more common in those who spend time at daycare facilities, and in kids who play team sports, notes the University of Rochester. Staph Infection in Pets Pets can develop a staph infection as a result of scratching, licking, or chewing their skin. Favorite Sites for Basic Staph Information Mayo Clinic Trusted resource Mayo Clinic breaks down what you need to know about Staphylococcus aureus , or staph, in simple terms without dumbing it down.

MedlinePlus When you want to dig deep into the topic of staph infections, MedlinePlus is the place to start, with links to articles on the kinds of infections staph can cause, research articles, Spanish-language resources, and ongoing clinical trials related to staph infections. Favorite Resources on Lowering Your Risk and Preventing a Recurrence Consumer Reports The gym can be a breeding ground for skin infections, including staph, which is why you hope the person who used the exercise machine before you wiped it off.

KidsHealth From Nemours Kids and teens get staph infections, too, but frequent hand-washing and daily showering or bathing can help to prevent them. Favorite Explainer on Antibiotic Resistance World Health Organization Bacterial infections occur worldwide, and effective antibiotics are needed to treat them.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Staphylococcal Infections. August 17, Bush LM. However, a person could still acquire this infection from someone at a pool through direct contact or by touching a contaminated object such as a seat or towel.

To avoid this:. Minor staph infections may clear up on their own, but they may require medical intervention and treatment with antibiotics. This can help stop them from worsening, spreading, or coming back. If a person has a skin staph infection, they may receive antibiotics in pill, liquid, cream, gel, or ointment form.

Other types of staph infections could require intravenous antibiotics. Additionally, a doctor may choose to drain the sore if required. If the infection is in a bone, surgery could be necessary to clean out the infection. When antibiotics are involved, finishing the entire course is vital, even if a person begins to feel better before they complete the final dose.

Once a person finishes their course of antibiotics, they need to discard any remaining medication properly and avoid using leftover medication to treat future infections. They should also seek medical care to see if additional antibiotics are required if the condition recurs in the future. Staph infections are contagious through direct contact with the affected site or contact with an object where staph bacterium is still present.

Staph enters the body through cuts, scrapes, and wounds, so covering these with clean bandages can help provide protection. If a person has symptoms of a staph infection, they should contact a doctor at their earliest opportunity for treatment. Early treatment with antibiotics can prevent a more serious infection.

If a person notices signs of an infection on an ingrown hair, they should contact a doctor to rule out staph infection. This infection can lead to…. Staphylococcus bacteria cause staph infections. This article discusses the causes, types, symptoms, and treatment of staph infections, as well as the…. Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria that can infect the nose.

Discover the symptoms of staph infection and the treatment options available…. MRSA is a type of staph infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics. Staph infections may appear similar to a spider bite. They are contagious…. MRSA is an infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics, including penicillin, which makes it challenging to treat.