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​According to the CDC, about 30% of people have Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) on their skin or in their nose at any given time​.

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The associated disease with Staphylococcus aureus is simply called a staph infection. ​

Although there are several different strands of the pathogen that can cause more severe infections such as:​

-Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)​

-Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)​

-Vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA)​

-Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA)​

We will focus on a simple staph infection and MRSA throughout this presentation.​

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The most common type of staph infection that is seen is an infection on the skin. ​

The signs and symptoms of these infections include boils (usually filled with pus), impetigo, folliculitis, and cellulitis.​

Another skin issue seen with staph is Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, which is more commonly seen in babies and children. ​

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MRSA is very similar to a regular staph infection with the symptoms, but the treatment and acquisition of the disease are different.​

Those at risk for acquiring a MRSA infection are patients in the hospital setting, anyone with an invasive medical device, or residents of long-term care facility. ​

The treatment of MRSA is more difficult than a normal staph infection, which can lead to more complications throughout the process. ​

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Staph infections can be acquired by anyone at any time because the bacteria naturally lives on our skin, but if that bacteria somehow gets into a cut or into a hair follicle then a staph infection can occur.​

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People who are more prone to staph infections include:​

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People with diabetes​

Those with HIV/AIDS​

Dialysis patients​

Immunosuppressed patients​

Transplant patients​

Those with cancer​

People with skin conditions or damage​

Patients with lung issues or conditions​

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People who are at a higher risk for MRSA infections include:​

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Those in a hospital setting​

Anyone with invasive medical devices​

Long-term care facility residents​

Those participating in contact sports​

Men who have sex with other men​

HIV/AIDS patients​

Illicit injectable drug users​

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Staph infection​

Wash your hands (20 sec. minimum)​

Keep all wounds covered​

Reduce tampon risks​

Avoid sharing personal items (towels, razors, sheets, etc.)​

Wash clothing and bedding​

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In hospital setting, wear proper protective equipment or PPE​

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Wash hands with soap and water​

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Disinfect all surfaces and laundry regularly​

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In community setting, avoid contact sports​

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Keep wounds covered​

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WASH YOUR HANDS​

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Most staph infections are treated with antibiotics as well as drainage of the wound if necessary​

If you have an internal device, this device may be removed if the device is found to be the cause of the infection​

With MRSA, however, the organism may be resistant to certain antibiotics. ​

Penicillin is no longer a viable treatment for most staph infections now. ​

Many MRSA infections now must be treated with IV antibiotics, such as vancomycin and daptomycin.​

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If a staph infection or MRSA infection is not treated the risks increase substantially for patients. ​

If left untreated the staph infection continues to grow and can enter the bloodstream and cause bacteremia, sepsis, or toxic shock syndrome. ​

These evolved issues, if left untreated, can result in death.​

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Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen that can be found on the surface of skin in about 30% of people in the world today. ​

But if this pathogen gets past the barrier that is the skin, the complications that can arise may be very severe if left untreated. ​

Prevention of a serious disease is as simple as basic hygiene.​