Staph Infection (cont.)
How are Staph infections diagnosed?
In cases of minor skin infections, Staphylococcal infections are usually diagnosed by their appearance without the need for laboratory testing. More serious staphylococcal infections such as infection of the bloodstream, pneumonia, and endocarditis require culturing of samples of blood or infected fluids. The laboratory establishes the diagnosis and performs special tests to determine which antibiotics are effective against the bacteria.
How are Staph infections treated?
Minor skin infections are usually treated with an antibiotic ointment such as a
nonprescription triple-antibiotic mixture. In some cases, oral antibiotics may
be given for skin infections. Additionally, if abscesses are present, they are
surgically drained. More serious and life-threatening infections are treated
with intravenous antibiotics. The choice of antibiotic depends on the
susceptibility of the particular staphylococcal strain as determined by culture
results in the laboratory. Some Staph strains, such as MRSA (see next section),
are resistant to many antibiotics.
What is antibiotic-resistant Staph aureus?
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA, is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to the antibiotic methicillin and other drugs in the same class, including penicillin, amoxicillin, and oxacillin. MRSA is one example of a so-called "superbug," an informal term used to describe a strain of bacteria that has become resistant to the antibiotics usually used to treat it. MRSA first appeared in patients in hospitals and other health facilities, especially among the elderly, the very sick, and those with an open wound (such as a bedsore) or catheter in the body. MRSA has since been found to cause illness in the community outside of hospitals and other health facilities. MRSA in the community is associated with recent antibiotic use, sharing contaminated items, having active skin diseases or injuries, poor hygiene, and living in crowded settings. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 12% of MRSA infections are now community-associated, but this percentage can vary by community and patient population.
MRSA infections are usually mild superficial infections of the skin that can be treated successfully with proper skin care and antibiotics. MRSA, however, can be difficult to treat and can progress to life-threatening blood or bone infections because there are fewer effective antibiotics available for treatment.
The transmission of MRSA is largely from people with active MRSA skin infections. MRSA is almost always spread by direct physical contact and not through the air. Spread may also occur through indirect contact by touching objects (such as towels, sheets, wound dressings, clothes, workout areas, sports equipment) contaminated by the infected skin of a person with MRSA. Just as
S. aureus can be carried on the skin or in the nose without causing any disease, MRSA can be carried in this way also.
More recently, strains of Staph aureus have been identified that are resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin, which is normally effective in treating Staph infections. These bacteria are referred to as vancomycin-intermediate resistance
S. aureus (VISA) and vancomycin-resistant Staph aureus (VRSA).
What are complications of Staph infections?
Scalded skin syndrome is a potentially serious side effect of infection with Staph bacteria that produce a specific protein which loosens the "cement" holding the various layers of the skin together. This allows blister formation and sloughing of the top layer of skin. If it occurs over large body regions, it can be deadly, similar to a large surface area of the body having been burned. It is necessary to treat scalded skin syndrome with intravenous antibiotics and to protect the skin from allowing dehydration to occur if large areas peel off. The disease occurs predominantly in children but can occur in anyone. It is known formally as Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.
Next: Can Staph infections be prevented? »
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