Staph infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria. These types of germs are commonly found on the skin or in the nose of many healthy people. Most of the time, these bacteria cause no problems or cause relatively minor skin infections.
But staph infections can turn deadly if the bacteria invade deeper into your body, entering your bloodstream, joints, bones, lungs or heart. A growing number of otherwise healthy people are developing life-threatening staph infections.
According to Mayoclinic, treatment usually involves antibiotics and cleaning of the infected area. However, some staph infections no longer respond, or become resistant, to common antibiotics. To treat antibiotic-resistant staph infections, health care providers may need to use antibiotics that can cause more side effects.
Symptoms
Staph infections can range from minor skin problems to life-threatening illness. For example, endocarditis, a serious infection of the inner lining of your heart (endocardium) can be caused by staph bacteria. Signs and symptoms of staph infections vary widely, depending on the location and severity of the infection.
1. Skin infections
Skin infections caused by staph bacteria include:
1. Boils.
2. Impetigo.
3. Cellulitis.
4. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.
2. Food poisoning
Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of food poisoning. The bacteria multiply in food and produce toxins that make you sick. Symptoms come on quickly, usually within hours of eating a contaminated food. Symptoms usually disappear quickly, too, often lasting just half a day.
A staph infection in food usually doesn't cause a fever. Signs and symptoms you can expect with this type of staph infection include:
1. Nausea and vomiting
2. Diarrhea
3. Dehydration
4. Low blood pressure.
3. Bacteremia
Also known as a bloodstream infection, bacteremia occurs when staph bacteria enter the bloodstream. A fever and low blood pressure are signs of bacteremia. The bacteria can travel to locations deep within your body to cause infections that affect:
1. Internal organs, such as your brain (meningitis), heart (endocarditis) or lungs (pneumonia)
2. Bones and muscles
3. Surgically implanted devices, such as artificial joints or cardiac pacemakers.
4 Toxic shock syndrome
This life-threatening condition results from toxins produced by some strains of staph bacteria. The condition has been linked to certain types of tampons, skin wounds and surgery. It usually develops suddenly with:
1. A high fever
2. Nausea and vomiting
3. A rash on your palms and soles that looks like a sunburn
4. Confusion
5. Muscle aches
6. Diarrhea
7. Stomach pain.
5 Septic arthritis
Septic arthritis is often caused by a staph infection. The bacteria often target the knees, shoulders, hips, and fingers or toes. Artificial joints may also be at risk of infection. Signs and symptoms may include:
1. Joint swelling
2. Severe pain in the affected joint
3. Fever.
Content created and supplied by: Jidderhluv (via Opera News )
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