Staph
(Staphylococcus) Infection
What is staph? I hear about it, but should I be concern?
Staph (short for staphylococcus) is a type of bacteria. It’s very
common to find staph on areas of the skin where cuts, abrasions, bug
bites, or other breaks in the skin occur. Staph bacteria cause the skin
infections that may resemble a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen,
painful, and/or have pus in and around the affected area. Scratching
will also cause inflammation that will lead to a staph infection.
A staph infection may lead to such illnesses as pneumonia,
bloodstream infections, and surgical wound infections and in some
cases even turn into flesh eating bacteria.
Who can contact Staph infections? People who work in schools, or
hospitals, and people who already have a weak immune system are at
a higher risk of contracting a staph infection. Of course any one with
an open wound can get a staph infection.
Practice Good Hygiene:
1. Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and
water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage
until healed.
3. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
4. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, clothing,
uniforms, linens, or razors. Wash in hot water and dry
clothes in a hot dryer than air-drying. This will help kill
bacteria in clothes.
Some infections usually are easy to treat with inexpensive, well-
tolerated antibiotics. However, some staph bacteria have developed
resistance; that is; the antibiotics can no longer kill the bacteria.
Contact your doctor should you be concerned on a skin infection that
won’t heal or is inflamed.
Mrs. Buchta
First Aid