Overview
Staphylococcal infections, commonly called staph infections, are caused by a genus of bacteria called Staphylococcus. There are more than 30 strains (types) of Staphylococcus bacteria. The most common human pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus. A pathogen is an organism that causes disease.
Healthcare providers prescribe antibiotics to treat staphylococcal infections. In severe cases, a staph infection can cause serious health complications and death.
What parts of your body are affected by staph infection?
Different types of staph bacteria cause problems in various parts of your body. Staphylococcal infection can affect the:
- Skin: Most commonly, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria cause skin infection. This can produce boils, blisters, and redness on your skin. These infections can be anywhere on your body, including your face, often around your mouth and nose.
- Breasts/chest: Breastfeeding (chestfeeding) people can develop mastitis, which causes inflammation (swelling) and abscesses (collections of pus) in their breasts.
- Digestive system: If you eat something containing bacteria, you can get food poisoning, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.
- Bones: The bacteria can infect your bones, causing inflammation and pain. This infection is called osteomyelitis.
- Lungs and heart: If the bacteria get into your lungs, you can develop pneumonia and other breathing problems from the abscesses that can form. Staph bacteria can also damage the heart valves and lead to heart failure.
- Bloodstream: When bacteria release toxins into your body, a serious infection called septicemia (blood poisoning) can occur.
How common is staph infection?
There are millions of skin staph infections in the U.S. every year. Most of them are mild and can be treated with antibiotics. Even if you are healthy, Staphylococcus bacteria commonly live in your nose or on the skin. If the bacteria get inside your body, they can cause problems. When they do, they create many thousands of serious cases of S. aureus infections in the U.S. every year.
Who does staph infection affect?
While anyone can get a staph infection, certain people are at higher risk than others. People who work in hospitals are more likely to have the bacteria on their skin. Staph infections occur most often in people who:
- Inject drugs.
- Are hospitalized, have recently had surgery, or have catheters or medical devices in their body.
- Manage a chronic condition like diabetes, vascular disease or eczema.
- Have a weakened immune system.
- Are breastfeeding.
- Have worn a tampon for an extended time.
- Have congenital heart defects.
- Have had other surgeries on heart valves.
What kinds of staph infections do children get?
Children often get staph infections that we know by other names, like impetigo and styes. These infections, along with wounds that may get infected, are often seen in infants and children. In addition to causing blisters and pimple-like lumps, staph infections in kids can cause chills, fevers and general feelings of being unwell. It’s important to check in with your healthcare provider about any of these types of conditions.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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