What are staph infections and how do they spread. How can staph infections be treated at home. What are the best ways to prevent staph infections. How are staph infections diagnosed and what are the treatment options. Who is at higher risk for staph infections. What are the symptoms of different types of staph infections. How can athletes protect themselves from staph infections.

Understanding Staph Infections: Causes and Transmission

Staphylococcus, commonly known as staph, is a type of bacteria that can cause infections in various parts of the body. One particularly concerning strain is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is resistant to certain antibiotics, making it more challenging to treat.

Staph bacteria are often found on the skin or in the noses of healthy individuals without causing any harm. These people, known as carriers, can spread the bacteria to others. Staph infections typically occur when the bacteria enter the body through breaks in the skin, such as cuts, scratches, or pimples.

The primary mode of transmission for staph bacteria is through skin-to-skin contact. However, it can also spread by touching contaminated objects or surfaces. While most staph infections remain localized to the skin, in some cases, they can penetrate deeper into the body, affecting the blood, bones, joints, or vital organs like the lungs, heart, or brain.

Risk Factors for Staph Infections

Certain factors can increase an individual’s susceptibility to staph infections:

• Open wounds or skin lesions
• Intravenous drug use
• Presence of medical devices like catheters or feeding tubes
• Implanted medical devices such as artificial joints
• Weakened immune system or chronic illnesses
• Close contact with staph carriers
• Participation in contact sports or sharing athletic equipment
• Sharing personal items like towels, razors, or cosmetics
• Recent hospitalization or stay in a long-term care facility

Recognizing Staph Infection Symptoms

The symptoms of a staph infection can vary greatly depending on the location and severity of the infection. Common manifestations include:

• Skin infections: Boils, impetigo (a painful rash), or cellulitis
• Systemic infections: High fever, nausea, vomiting, and a sunburn-like rash (in severe cases like toxic shock syndrome)
• Food poisoning: Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Septic arthritis: Joint pain and swelling
• Endocarditis: Fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath

It’s important to note that the only definitive way to diagnose a staph infection is through professional medical evaluation and laboratory testing.

Diagnosing Staph Infections: Medical Procedures and Tests

When a staph infection is suspected, healthcare providers employ various diagnostic methods to confirm the presence of the bacteria and determine the most effective treatment approach.

Sample Collection

The diagnostic process typically begins with sample collection. This may involve:

• Swabbing an open skin rash or sore
• Collecting blood, urine, or sputum samples

Laboratory Testing

Once collected, the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. The tests performed may include:

• Bacterial culture to identify the presence of staph bacteria
• Antibiotic susceptibility testing to determine which antibiotics will be most effective against the specific strain

These tests not only confirm the diagnosis but also guide the treatment strategy, ensuring that the most appropriate antibiotics are used if necessary.

Treatment Options for Staph Infections

The treatment of staph infections varies depending on the severity and location of the infection. Common approaches include:

Topical Treatments

• Cleaning and draining of infected wounds
• Application of topical antibiotics

Systemic Treatments

• Oral antibiotics for more widespread or severe infections
• Intravenous antibiotics for serious infections

Surgical Interventions

• Removal of infected medical devices
• Drainage of deep abscesses

For MRSA infections, healthcare providers may need to use specialized antibiotics that are effective against antibiotic-resistant strains.

Home Care and Prevention Strategies for Staph Infections

Preventing staph infections and stopping their spread is crucial. Here are some effective strategies:

Hand Hygiene

Proper hand hygiene is the cornerstone of staph infection prevention. This includes:

• Thorough handwashing with soap and water
• Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available

Wound Care

Proper care of cuts, scrapes, and other skin injuries is essential:

• Clean wounds thoroughly
• Keep wounds covered with clean, dry bandages until they heal

Personal Hygiene and Item Sharing

To minimize the risk of staph transmission:

• Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages
• Do not share personal items such as towels, razors, or cosmetics

Special Considerations for Athletes and Sports Participants

Athletes and those participating in contact sports are at higher risk for staph infections due to increased skin-to-skin contact and potential exposure to contaminated equipment. Here are some specific preventive measures for this group:

Personal Hygiene

• Shower immediately after sports activities or workouts
• Use your own personal hygiene items (soap, towels, razors)

Wound Management

• Cover any open wounds with clean, dry bandages before participating in sports
• Avoid touching other people’s bandages or wounds

Equipment Hygiene

• Clean shared sports equipment with antiseptic solution or wipes before use
• Use a barrier (clothing or towel) between your skin and shared equipment

Facility Hygiene

• Avoid using communal whirlpools or saunas if someone with an open sore has used them
• Ensure that shared shower facilities are clean, or opt to shower at home

Recognizing and Responding to Serious Staph Infections

While many staph infections are minor and can be treated at home, some can become severe and even life-threatening. It’s crucial to recognize the signs of a serious infection and seek immediate medical attention when necessary.

Warning Signs of Severe Staph Infections

• High fever (over 101°F or 38.3°C)
• Rapid heart rate
• Difficulty breathing
• Confusion or disorientation
• Severe pain or swelling
• Redness or warmth spreading rapidly from the site of infection

If you experience any of these symptoms, especially in conjunction with a known or suspected staph infection, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Complications of Untreated Staph Infections

Untreated or improperly treated staph infections can lead to serious complications, including:

• Sepsis: A life-threatening systemic infection
• Endocarditis: Infection of the heart valves
• Osteomyelitis: Bone infection
• Pneumonia: Lung infection
• Toxic shock syndrome: A severe, potentially fatal condition

Prompt recognition and treatment of staph infections can prevent these serious complications and improve outcomes.

The Role of Antibiotic Resistance in Staph Infections

Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in the treatment of staph infections, particularly with the emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for effective management and prevention of staph infections.

What is Antibiotic Resistance?

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them or stop their growth. This can happen through various mechanisms, including:

• Genetic mutations
• Acquisition of resistance genes from other bacteria
• Development of protective mechanisms against antibiotics

The Rise of MRSA

MRSA is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that has developed resistance to many common antibiotics, including methicillin and other similar drugs. This resistance makes MRSA infections more difficult to treat and potentially more dangerous.

Implications for Treatment

The rise of antibiotic-resistant staph strains has several implications for treatment:

• Need for more potent, specialized antibiotics
• Longer treatment durations
• Increased risk of treatment failure
• Higher healthcare costs

Preventing Antibiotic Resistance

To combat the spread of antibiotic-resistant staph, it’s important to:

• Use antibiotics only when necessary and as prescribed
• Complete the full course of antibiotics when they are prescribed
• Practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of infections
• Avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics in agriculture and animal husbandry

By understanding and addressing the issue of antibiotic resistance, we can better manage staph infections and preserve the effectiveness of our current antibiotic treatments.

Staph infections – self-care at home: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Staph (pronounced staff) is short for Staphylococcus. Staph is a type of germ (bacteria) that can cause infections almost anywhere in the body.

One type of staph germ, called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is harder to treat. This is because MRSA is not killed by certain medicines (antibiotics) used to treat other staph germs.

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.

You are more likely to get a staph infection if you:

• Have an open cut or sore
• Inject medicines or illegal drugs
• Have a medical tube such as urinary catheter or feeding tube
• Have a medical device inside your body such as an artificial joint
• Have a weakened immune system or ongoing (chronic) illness
• Live with or have close contact with a person who has staph
• Play contact sports or share athletic equipment
• Share items such as towels, razors, or cosmetics with others
• Recently stayed in a hospital or long-term care facility

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.

The only way to know for sure if you have a staph infection is by seeing a health care provider.

• A cotton swab is used to collect a sample from an open skin rash or skin sore.
• A blood, urine, or sputum sample may also be collected.
• The sample is sent to a lab to test for staph. If staph is found, it will be tested to see which antibiotic should be used to treat your infection, if treatment is necessary.

If test results show you have a staph infection, treatment may include:

• Cleaning and draining the wound
• Using antibiotics on your skin or taking them by mouth or injection
• Surgery to remove an infected device

Follow these steps to avoid a staph infection and prevent it from spreading.

• Keep your hands clean by washing them thoroughly with soap and water. Or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with bandages until they heal.
• Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
• Do not share personal items such as towels, clothing, or cosmetics.

Simple steps for athletes include:

• Cover wounds with a clean bandage. Do not touch other people’s bandages.
• Wash your hands well before and after playing sports.
• Shower right after exercising. Do not share soap, razors, or towels.
• If you share sports equipment, clean it first with antiseptic solution or wipes. Use clothing or a towel between your skin and the equipment.
• Do not use a common whirlpool or sauna if another person with an open sore used it. Always use clothing or a towel as a barrier.
• Do not share splints, bandages, or braces.
• Check that shared shower facilities are clean. If they are not clean, shower at home.

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. www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/staph/index.html. Updated March 22, 2019. Accessed June 18, 2021.

Chambers HF, Sakoulas G. Staphylococcal infections. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 272.

Rupp ME, Fey PD. Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative staphylococci. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 195.

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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Staph Infection Symptoms, Causes, Natural Treatments

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By Jillian Levy, CHHC

December 5, 2022

Staph infections account for a large percentage of all hospital visits related to infections each year. The name of the bacteria responsible for causing many a staph infection is staphylococcus, which is actually very common and lives on the skin of approximately 30 percent of even the healthy human population. That means there’s a good chance that staph bacteria is living on your skin from virtually your head to toes, possibly even residing within your mouth and nostrils.

Staph bacteria don’t normally have the chance to proliferate, however, or cause negative reactions, thanks to protection from the immune system.

When they do occur, staph infections can take many forms, ranging in symptoms and severity depending on what part of the body they affect and the strength of someone’s overall immune system. The National Institute of Health has found that most staph germs are spread through skin-to-skin contact, and yes, they’re usually contagious in nature.

One finding that scares many experts who study bacterial infections is that more and more antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria are now being discovered. This means that certain blood-borne infections caused by resistant staph can’t be treated with a normal course of antibiotics or other medications and therefore pose serious risks due to this antibiotic resistance.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common form of resistant staph bacteria that’s immune to many antibiotics. As you can see, because antibiotics are not always a reliable treatment option for infections, preventing infections from developing in the first place by increasing immunity, avoiding contaminated products and practicing good hygiene is your best form of protection against staph infection.

What Is a Staph Infection?

Staph infections are bacterial infections that can result in problems ranging from minor skin reactions all the way to serious, life-threatening heart complications. Experiencing skin rashes or symptoms of food poisoning — such as blistering, vomiting and dizziness — are two of the most common ways that a staph infection presents itself.

These staph infections result from staph bacteria making their way into the pores through punctured skin or to the gastrointestinal tract from contaminated food.

Staph infections caused by Staphylococcus bacteria only become a problem when they spread to deeper parts of the body where they normally aren’t found and then proliferate to high levels. Sometimes bacteria can reach the bloodstream, where they travel to connective tissue, joints, bones and vital organs, like the lungs or heart.

Because there are various body parts they can affect and conditions that can be caused by staph infections, symptoms and signs are different from person to person. While people staying in the hospital or recovering from surgery are usually the most susceptible to developing staph infections, those who seem otherwise healthy are still at risk.

The skin is one of the most frequent body parts to show signs staph of infection in patients who are overall healthy.

Wondering if staph infections are contagious? It’s been found that some staph bacteria can be spread from person to person or carried on contaminated foods, linens and surfaces. This includes the resistant bacteria called MRSA.

MRSA has been shown to be transmitted through bed linens, bed rails, bathroom fixtures, hospital and kitchen equipment, and surgical/medical tools — plus found on sick patients’ and doctors’ hands, in their homes and on their clothing.

Here are more facts and figures on this condition:

• Staph bacteria is the most significant cause of serious infectious diseases in the United States every year. Every year about 1.2 million people visit a hospital due to various staph infections.
• Around one in three American adults carries staph bacteria on the skin or inside the airways, although most suffer no symptoms as a result.
• The type of staph infection called staphylococcal infective endocarditis, which affects the heart valves and is the most serious complication of staph bloodstream infection, kills approximately 20,000 Americans each year.
• About 2 percent of all staph infections are caused by MRSA bacteria.
• On average, it costs about $6,400 to treat every MRSA infection in the U.S.

Staph Infection Symptoms

Some of the most common staph infection symptoms that affect the skin can include:

• Developing an abscess that causes redness, swelling and pain. This can be in the form of a visible boil, infected hair follicle (which looks like an ingrown hair) or a bump that look like a cystic acne pimple. Many who develop a staph infection of the skin form of a visible swollen pocket that contains pus and feels tender when touched.
• Forming a painful rash. Several types of rashes can be caused by staph infections. One is called impetigo, which is a skin rash that’s contagious and causes large blisters to form. Blisters can sometimes form crust coatings or open up and release fluid. Another is called cellulitis, which is caused from an infection deeper beneath the skin’s surface. Cellulitis occurs most often on the legs or feet and can cause patches of visible ulcers that eventually ooze open.
• In infants or babies, a type of staph infection called staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome can cause a rash or blisters that open up and expose raw skin. Some also develop symptoms of a fever at the same time.

Bacteremia develops when staph bacteria reach the bloodstream. This can cause staph infection symptoms that affect digestion and the vital organs, including:

• Symptoms of food poisoning, such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and dizziness
• Low blood pressure and feeling shaky
• Symptoms of a fever, such as having the chills, loss of appetite, shakiness, upset stomach or weakness
• High fevers can result from staph infections called toxic shock syndrome, which can cause toxicity, rashes, confusion, muscle pains and digestive upset
• Septic arthritis symptoms can also form, and this type of infection causes swelling and pain in the joints, especially the knees. Septic arthritis can also cause pain and inflammation in the spine, feet, ankles, hips, wrists, hands, elbows and shoulders.
• One of the most serious conditions caused by a staph infection is endocarditis, which affects the endocardium (the inner lining of the heart). It’s been found that between 10 percent to 20 percent of people who undergo surgery to implant an artificial heart valve develop endocarditis within 60 days. This can affect blood flow and sometimes cause symptoms like damage to the lungs, congestive heart failure or kidney problems.

Causes

Although many of us carry staph bacteria on our bodies, the skin and immune system usually protect us from infection by acting like natural barriers and regulators of bacterium. However, when you consume contaminated food, undergo surgery or get cut, for example, it’s possible for staph bacteria to enter into the body, make their way through the bloodstream and reproduce to high levels.

Staph bacteria can proliferate inside closed-off parts of the body, forming abscesses, allowing pus to accumulate, along with redness, heat, swelling and usually some pain. Staph bacteria are especially harmful when they enter parts of the body that are normally blocked from their presence, cut off from air flow and have poor circulation.

As staph bacteria continue to reproduce inside the affected area, the immune system responds by raising inflammation in order to attack the infection. Inflammation caused from a patient’s own immune system is part of what leads to destructive staph infection symptoms.

Toxins released from staph bacteria can cause an excessive immune response that attacks the body’s own healthy tissue. For example, with endocarditis infections, inflammation causes capillary leakage, low blood pressure, shock, fever, destruction of the heart valves and sometimes strokes.

Risk factors for developing a staph infection include:

• Staying in a hospital or nursing home where bacteria can spread from patient to patient. People in the hospital are mostly likely to get an MRSA infection, especially if they already have a run-down immune system due to having another health problem or taking antibiotics.
• Being sick with another infection, autoimmune disorder or condition that causes low immunity.
• Spending lots of time in public settings where you might be around other sick children or adults, including daycare centers, schools or universities.
• Undergoing surgery, especially to implant an artificial device, joint, stent or pacemaker. Bacteria can sometimes accumulate around these foreign objects in the body or enter the bloodstream through surgical incisions.
• Having wounds, stitches, incisions or cuts that are left uncleaned and untreated.
• Using expired or contaminated tampons and feminine products or not changing them often enough.
• Consuming foods that are more likely to be contaminated with bacteria that cause food poisoning. These foods include pork products, old vegetables or fruits that have been left out, and unrefrigerated meat or dairy products.
• Not washing your hands regularly after using public bathrooms, going to a health facility/gym, or sharing equipment that can carry sweat, blood or other fluids along with bacteria.
• Having low immune function due to a poor diet, nutrient deficiencies, allergies and an unhealthy lifestyle.

Treatment and Prevention

Diagnosis of staph infection or poisoning in an individual is usually based on observing signs and symptoms. Sometimes blood, stool or urine tests are also used to confirm diagnoses.

The conventional way of treating staph infections is usually:

1. Opening up the affected area up in order to reduce inflammation and drain out excess blood or dead cells (which form pus)
2. Prescribing antibiotics

In many cases, abscesses caused from staph infections can be closed off from drainage and therefore cause pain and swelling. This can happen when cellular debris and pus are left behind by the immune system but have nowhere to go (much like an infected pimple that’s beneath the surface of the skin and doesn’t form a noticeable white head). In this case, doctors might open up the abscess, blister, ulcer, etc. , in order to relieve fluid from the infection.

Antibiotics, such as cephalosporins, nafcillin, sulfa drugs or vancomycin, are commonly used to fight staph bacteria, however some strains of bacteria have now become resistant to these medications. MRSA is the most widespread type of staph that is antibiotic-resistant and causes serious infections in thousands of patients each year.

Although researchers continue to explore ways to treat MRSA infections with new types of antibiotics, some patients don’t respond and wind up needing surgery to remove MRSA abscesses.

There are natural treatment options as well to help with symptoms and prevention, including:

1. Strengthen Your Immune System

Avoid inflammatory and allergenic foods that disturb gut health and lower immune function, including packaged, processed foods; potential food allergens like conventional dairy, gluten, shrimp and peanuts; refined fats or fried foods; and added sugar.

Consider taking herbs and supplements to boost immune function, such as zinc; antioxidants like vitamin C, echinacea and vitamin D; and antiviral herbs for immunity like calendula, elderberry and astragalus. In addition, fill up on healing foods like fresh fruits and veggies, probiotic foods, bone broth, and healthy fats like coconut, nuts and seeds.

2. Practice Good Hygiene and Hand-Washing

Regularly wash all fabrics and linens (especially when they’re shared) using a natural antibacterial detergent. Ideally look for detergents containing essential oils that have antibacterial/antimicrobial properties, or make a homemade laundry soap yourself.

Be sure to wash all dirty clothes containing bodily fluids, towels and bedding, particularly after they come into contact with someone who has an infection.

Clean and disinfect all working surfaces thoroughly and regularly, including those in bathrooms and kitchens. Public surfaces that are used or touched daily carry the biggest risk for spreading staph bacteria, including doorknobs, phones, or surfaces in public restrooms and locker rooms.

Frequently disinfect shared items in your home or workplace using natural cleaning products, especially those regularly used with someone’s hands, such as phones, doorknobs, keys, cabinet handles and keyboards. Run any shared utensils and kitchen or cooking equipment through a dishwasher after use.

Food workers should always wash their hands thoroughly to prevent foodborne illnesses from spreading.

Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels or razors, that can carry bodily fluids.

If you go to a gym or exercise facility, make sure to clean equipment after use, and shower once you leave. Try using a towel when putting your bare skin on any surface, such as a protective layer between you and mats or the gym floor. Wash your hands after lifting weights, touching machines or using the bathroom.

Employees who are sick or suffering from infections should avoid going to work, and children who are sick should stay home from school. In public settings where shared equipment is used, such as tools, computers, phones, uniforms, helmets and protective gear, all equipment should be regularly disinfected.

3. Clean and Protect All Open Cuts

Be sure to keep any cuts, incisions or wounds clean and covered using band-aids, bandages or another dressings. Use a natural antibacterial wash over skin when showering, and make sure to protect openings in the skin when in high-risk settings like hospitals or nursing homes.

Be sure to let your doctor know right away if a cut shows signs of infection, including redness, swelling and oozing, since this can help prevent the infection from worsening.

4. Properly Store and Handle Food

Staphylococcal food poisoning is caused from staph bacteria entering the gastrointestinal tract after eating foods that are contaminated with toxins left behind from staph microbes. Staphylococcus aureus is most likely to affect food workers who can come into contact with staph bacteria when touching contaminated products or who pick up bacteria from employees or when working on dirty surfaces.

In most patients, symptoms like severe nausea and vomiting begin quickly after staph enters the digestive system, usually within two to eight hours. To prevent staph food poisoning from spreading, employees in restaurants, grocery stores, butchers, etc. , should always thoroughly wash their hands after touching food or after going to the bathroom, stay home when they’re sick, and refrigerate food properly.

Foods that have a higher risk for spreading staph bacteria include raw foods prepared with someone’s bare hands, unpasteurized milk and cheese products (especially when they sit out for long periods), salty pork products, processed meats, puddings or custards, and any food that’s prepared using contaminated equipment.

Will cooking food remove staph bacteria? Unfortunately, the CDC reports that toxins created in food by staph bacteria cannot usually be killed from cooking or heating food. This is why it’s still possible to get food poisoning from any type of prepared meal.

Fortunately, food poisoning symptoms should go away within one to two days in most cases.

Food poisoning staph symptoms don’t respond to taking antibiotics, so unless you’re becoming very weak or dizzy, you don’t usually need to visit a doctor office.

In the case of food poisoning symptoms, to prevent symptoms of dehydration due to vomiting or diarrhea, try to consume fluids (such as coconut water or freshly made fruit/veggie juice for electrolytes), stay in a cool environment and get plenty of rest. If staph food poisoning affects infants, children or the elderly, it’s recommended you head to the doctor right away.

5. Treat Skin Rashes and Blisters

To help reduce pain from blisters or lower skin swelling due to a staph rash:

• Press a warm compress against the rash once or twice daily using a fresh, clean washcloth or towel. You can also take warm showers (but not too hot) or baths to reduce swelling and tenderness.
• Elevate painful or swollen areas to prevent too much fluid accumulation.
• Very gently stretch stiff areas to keep them from getting even more stiff.
• Wear loose, breathable clothing.
• Avoid other skin irritants as much as possible while you heal, including scented body soaps, detergents, shampoos, perfumes and lotions.
• Speak to your doctor about applying a soothing essential oil, such as lavender, to the skin, combined with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, several times daily.

Precautions

Because these infections can be serious and contagious, always consult with your doctor if you suspect you might have signs of have a staph infection. This is especially important in infants or children, the elderly, following surgery, or if you have another health condition that affects your immune system.

Seek professional help if symptoms worsen and don’t go away within one week, or if they appear suddenly and cause very high fevers or swelling.

Conclusion

• Staph infections are caused by a common bacteria called Staphylococcus. Some staph bacteria, including MRSA, are resistant to antibiotic treatments and therefore the biggest risk to public health.
• Symptoms of a staph infection can affect the skin, GI tract, heart, blood vessels, joints, lungs and bones. Some of the most common staph infection signs are food poisoning, skin rashes, forming blisters that ooze open, joint pain and fevers.
• Prevention and natural treatments for staph infections include boosting immunity with a healthy diet, washing your hands, cleaning and disinfecting your home/work environment regularly, reducing fevers naturally, and treating skin pain with heat and essential oils.

Staphylococcal infection

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Staphylococcal infection. Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcal infection is the general name for diseases caused by staphylococcus aureus. Due to the high resistance to antibiotics, staphylococcal infections occupy the first place among purulent-inflammatory infectious diseases. Staphylococcus is able to cause an inflammatory process in almost any organ. Staphylococcus can be the cause of purulent diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue: boils, felons, abscesses, hidradenitis, pyoderma. Affecting internal organs, staphylococcus can cause pneumonia, tonsillitis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, abscesses of internal organs. Enterotoxin secreted by staphylococcus can cause severe food intoxication with the development of enterocolitis (inflammation of the small and large intestine).

Staphylococcus aureus 2.JPG

The genus of staphylococci includes three species: Staphylococcus aureus (the most harmful), Staphylococcus epidermidis (also pathogenic, but much less dangerous than aureus) and Staphylococcus saprophyta – practically harmless, however, also capable of causing disease . In addition, each of the types of staphylococcus has several subspecies (strains) that differ from each other in various properties (for example, the set of toxins produced) and, accordingly, cause the same diseases that differ in clinic (manifestations). Under a microscope, staphylococci look like clusters of something similar to a bunch of grapes.

Staphylococci have a rather high viability: up to 6 months they can be stored in a dried state, do not die when frozen and thawed, and are resistant to direct sunlight.

Pathogenic effect of staphylococci is associated with their ability to produce toxins: exfoliatin that damages skin cells, leukocidin that destroys leukocytes, enterotoxin that causes a food poisoning clinic. In addition, staphylococcus produces enzymes that protect it from the effects of immune mechanisms and contribute to its preservation and distribution in body tissues.

The source of infection can be a sick person or an asymptomatic carrier, according to some reports, up to 40% of healthy people are carriers of various strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Entrance gates of infection can be microdamages of the skin, mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. A significant factor in the development of staphylococcal infections is the weakening of the immune system against the background of the use of medications (for example, immunosuppressants, antibiotics), chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease), and exposure to adverse environmental factors. Due to the characteristics of the immune system, staphylococcal infections are most severe in young children and old people. Immunity after an infection is unstable and, in general, insignificant, since when meeting with a new subspecies of staphylococcus that produces other toxins, all previous immune “acquisitions” do not carry a significant protective role.

Symptoms of a staph infection

Specific manifestations of a staphylococcal infection are determined by the site of introduction, the degree of aggressiveness of the staphylococcus species and the degree of reduced immunity.

Pyoderma is one of the most common purulent skin diseases. Staphylococcal pyoderma is characterized by a skin lesion in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe mouth of the hair. With superficial lesions, the so-called folliculitis develops – a small abscess, penetrated by hair in the center. With deeper lesions, a furuncle develops – a purulent-necrotic inflammation of the hair follicle and surrounding tissues, or a carbuncle – inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue around a group of hair follicles. Most often, boils and carbuncles appear on the back of the neck, thighs, buttocks. The appearance of boils and carbuncles on the face is especially dangerous – due to the peculiarities of blood circulation, staphylococcus aureus can be brought into the brain, with the development of purulent meningitis or brain abscess.

occurring mainly in newborns and young children. In its manifestations, the disease can resemble scarlet fever (a similar rash) or erysipelas (a focus of red, inflamed skin with even borders) that occurs with streptococcal infections. One of the forms of the disease – epidemic pemphigus, is a clear example of the action of staphylococcal toxin – exfoliatin. The superficial layers of the skin with pemphigus exfoliate in large layers, large blisters appear under them.

Abscesses and phlegmons are a form of deep lesions of subcutaneous tissues with their purulent fusion. The difference between an abscess and phlegmon is that in the first case, inflammation is limited by a capsule that blocks the path for the further spread of the process, and with phlegmon, purulent inflammation spreads through the tissues (that is, it is a more dangerous form).

Staphylococcal pneumonia is a rare occurrence, but due to the peculiarities of the course and resistance of staphylococci to a number of antibiotics, it is of great importance among bacterial pneumonias.
Pneumonia caused by staphylococcus is characterized by a severe course, with severe intoxication, chest pain (pleural damage), shortness of breath. Multiple foci appear in the tissues of the lungs, followed by purulent fusion, the formation of abscesses. Such abscesses can break into the pleural cavity: a so-called empyema is formed.

Getting from the focus of infection on the face, in the sinuses or other places with blood flow to the brain, staphylococcus aureus causes the appearance of brain abscesses and purulent meningitis. Brain abscesses are usually small, scattered throughout the tissue. Meningitis is often secondary to a brain abscess, or may occur on its own when a large number of staphylococci appear in the blood (bacteremia). Damage to the brain and its membranes is manifested by headache, impaired consciousness, neurological disorders, epileptic seizures.

Staphylococcal infection can also cause thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins of the brain, accompanied by severe neurological disorders.

Staphylococcus is the main cause (up to 95%) of purulent inflammation of the bone marrow – osteomyelitis. In the process of inflammation, all layers of the bone are affected and destroyed, often the purulent focus breaks out. The main symptom of osteomyelitis is pain in the affected area. Later, tissue edema appears over the site of inflammation, and purulent fistulas form. When the joints are affected, purulent arthritis occurs, while the hip and knee joints are most often affected.

Staphylococcal lesions of the valves and the inner lining of the heart (endocardium) endocarditis is a serious disease with a high (40-60%) mortality rate. Entering with the blood stream, staphylococcus destroys heart valves in a short time, causing serious complications in the form of embolism (blockage) of peripheral arteries, myocardial abscess, heart failure.

Diseases caused by exposure to a large amount of staphylococcal toxins are sometimes distinguished into a separate group – intoxication. These include toxic shock and food poisoning. Toxic shock occurs when particularly aggressive types of toxins enter the bloodstream, causing a sharp drop in blood pressure, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, impaired consciousness, and later a characteristic spotted rash appears. Food toxicosis occurs 2-6 hours after ingestion of food contaminated with staphylococcus aureus, and is manifested by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases of food intoxication, the manifestations of enterocolitis may resemble those in a particularly dangerous infection – cholera.

Sepsis is the most severe form of staphylococcal infection, in which a huge amount of bacteria is carried by the blood throughout the body with the formation of multiple secondary foci of infection in the internal organs.

Diagnosis of a staphylococcal infection

Diagnosis of staphylococcal infection is based on clinical signs of the disease. To identify the pathogen, crops are made discharged from wounds, biological fluids. The basis for the diagnosis of food intoxication can be the isolation of staphylococcus from food. When establishing a diagnosis, the doctor has to differentiate staphylococcal diseases from infections caused by streptococcus, allergic skin lesions, cutaneous anthrax (carbuncle), intestinal infections (salmonellosis, dysentery).

Treatment of staph infections

Treatment of staphylococcal infections should be aimed at suppressing the pathogen, restoring immunity components, and treating concomitant diseases that reduce the body’s reactivity.

Surgical treatment of foci of staphylococcal infection with purulent fusion (boils, abscesses) has been considered the main one since ancient times and remains so until now.

The use of antibiotics in staphylococcal infections should be well thought out and justified, since the irrational use of antibiotics, at least, will not bring any benefit and, given the high resistance of staphylococci to some antibiotics, in some cases is harmful, leading to a worsening of the course of infections. For the treatment of staphylococcal processes, semi-synthetic penicillins (ampicillin, oxacillin), penicillins combined with clavulanic acid (amoxiclav) or another group of antibiotics – aminoglycosides (gentamicin) are more often used.

Bacteriophages in staphylococcal infections

Bacteriophages, viruses with a selective ability to defeat staphylococcus, can be used to combat staphylococcus. For external treatment, ointments containing antibacterial components that have an antiseptic and regenerating effect are used. In purulent processes, it is not recommended to use ointments that have a fatty base (for example, the popular Vishnevsky liniment) since fats prevent the outflow of discharge from the wound, thereby worsening the course of the process.

Increased immunity with staphylococcal infection

Methods for increasing immunity can be chosen from a wide variety of herbal preparations – adaptogens (ginseng, eleutherococcus) to complex combinations, including synthetic immunomodulators, the introduction of ready-made immune preparations: antistaphylococcal plasma or immunoglobulin. Often a simple method of immunostimulation is used called autohemotherapy (intramuscular injection of the patient’s own blood).

To improve recovery processes, with a general strengthening purpose, multivitamins are prescribed. In diseases accompanied by high intoxication, fever, it is advisable to drink plenty of water.

The diet, as for any patient, should be easily digestible with a sufficient amount of vitamins. A varied healthy diet plays a significant role in maintaining the body’s defenses and quick recovery after illness.

Folk remedies for the treatment of staphylococcal infections

Folk remedies can be used as the only independent method for non-severe forms of staphylococcal infection. These methods are based on the use of infusions and decoctions of herbs with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties (chamomile, string, St. John’s wort, calendula) both in the form of rinses and lotions, and for oral administration. Infusions of berries rich in vitamins (raspberries, cranberries, currants, rose hips) help to eliminate bacterial toxins and restore the body. Thermal procedures are recommended to be used locally and only during the recovery period. It is not advisable to use heat to accelerate the maturation of abscesses, a bath, a sauna, and even more so hot baths, because of the danger of weighting and further spread of infection.

Prevention of staph infection

Prevention of staph infection includes: maintaining personal hygiene, avoiding bad habits, eating healthy and getting enough sleep. It is necessary to avoid general hypothermia and overheating, to treat microtraumas of the skin with antiseptics (iodine, brilliant green) in a timely manner. It is necessary to identify and treat carriers of Staphylococcus aureus, especially those working in health care and public catering institutions, for the duration of treatment, such persons are not allowed to perform their duties.

Doctor’s consultation on staphylococcal infection

Is there a vaccine against streptococcal infection?

Answer: there is a so-called staphylococcal toxoid, which after administration causes the formation of antitoxic antibodies, there are no vaccines that stimulate the production of antibacterial immunity.

I often get boils (carbuncles, pimples, etc.). What do you need to drink to pass?

Answer: in case of manifestations of chronic staphylococcal infection, self-treatment is not allowed. It is necessary to consult a doctor – the treatment of the infection should be prescribed individually after a detailed examination, it is also necessary to undergo treatment under the supervision of a doctor.

I have dysbacteriosis, I was diagnosed with Staphylococcus aureus, and an antibiotic was prescribed. How long should it be taken?

Answer: Treatment of carriage of Staphylococcus aureus with antibiotics is inappropriate. It is desirable to use staphylococcal bacteriophage and immunization with staphylococcal toxoid. Antibiotic treatment of dysbacteriosis with a high content of staphylococcus is completely contraindicated, as this will lead to the opposite result – more intensive reproduction of staphylococcus

Physician Sokov S.V.

Material from the Medicalj website

Folk remedies whose effectiveness has been proven by science

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Folk remedies whose effectiveness has been proven by science medicines that have been scientifically proven to be effective RIA Novosti, 03.03.2020

Folk remedies, the effectiveness of which has been proven by science

MOSCOW, August 13 – RIA Novosti, Alfiya Enikeeva. Usually signs and beliefs are based on delusions and are not confirmed by practice. A black cat that ran across … RIA Novosti, 08/13/2018

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Lomonosov, Russia

Science, Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Russia

MOSCOW, August 13 – RIA Novosti, Alfiya Enikeeva. Usually signs and beliefs are based on delusions and are not confirmed by practice. A black cat running across the road does not bode trouble, and an ax under the pillow will not help the birth of a son. Nevertheless, scientists are in no hurry to write off all folk wisdom. As experiments have shown, something is true.

Frog in milk

“Devil” frog was able to eat dinosaurs

September 21, 2017, 14:05

sour – it works quite well. As an international group of scientists from Russia, Finland and Sweden found out, amphibian skin secretion contains antibacterial peptides that fight dangerous microorganisms. For an animal, they are the first line of defense against infections, bacteria and fungi.

In total, scientists have found 76 such substances on the skin of common frog (Rana temporaria), and some of them have shown high efficacy against Salmonella (Salmonella enterica, Serovar typhimutium) and Staphylococcus aureus (Staphylococcus aureus). The researchers suggest that these peptides will overcome not only common pathogens, but also antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

Soup for colds

Colds on the lips may be associated with memory problems – scientists

March 26, 2013, 09:13

Chicken broth really helps with respiratory problems. The substances contained in it alleviate the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections by suppressing a runny nose, cough and sore throat.

Researchers at the Nebraska State Medical Center found that when a patient drinks chicken broth, their mobility of neutrophils, white blood cells that turn on during the body’s immune response and cause redness and irritation of the mucous membrane, decreases. In addition, the broth contains carnosine, a dipeptide with an immunomodulatory effect, and the amino acid cysteine, which thins sputum and relieves cough.

Plantain promotes wound healing

“Escaped Exhibit”. Foreign plants threaten Moscow and its environs

May 31, 2018, 08:00

The easiest way to disinfect a cut or abrasion and speed up its healing is to apply a clean plantain leaf to the wound. Several scientific studies at once confirm the healing properties of this plant.

Russian scientists in a series of experiments on rabbits have demonstrated that the substances contained in the leaves of plantain (Plantago major) have a powerful healing effect. The combination of polysaccharides with enzymes and vitamins accelerates the regeneration process, while tannins, benzoic and salicylic acids create an anti-inflammatory effect.

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Frank Vincentz

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Frank Vincentz /

Mexican scientists have shown that psyllium leaves also have antimicrobial and antifungal properties. On cultures of microorganisms, extracts of this plant inhibited the growth of Salmonella (Salmonella typhimurium), but had a weak effect against methicillin-resistant staphylococci.

Bird cherry cooling

Doctors told how to escape from the heat

18 June 2018, 15:45

Folk omens regarding the relationship between the life cycle of grasses and trees and weather changes, as a rule, are also confirmed by science, as plants react to changes in temperature and humidity of the environment. There are three hypotheses about the bird cherry cooling (“if the bird cherry blossoms, it will be cold”).

According to the first, bird cherry flowers when the temperature drops, because the plant needs cold days and nights to form ovaries. In addition, insect pests cannot severely damage generative shoots.

The second hypothesis is based on the fact that the cause of the May cold weather is a sharp reduction in the dark earth’s surface, which intensively absorbs the sun’s rays. Most plants have leaves by mid-May, and this slightly lowers the temperature. Bird cherry blossoms simply coincide in time with the May cold snap.

The third hypothesis: blooming in the May cold, bird cherry avoids competition. While other plants hold their flowers, the unpretentious bird cherry blossoms to be pollinated by insects.

As for folk signs associated with specific dates, the situation here, of course, is different. Yandex employees analyzed weather data for 36 years and got the following results.