Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that is commonly found on a person's skin and inside their sensitive mucous lined areas, such as the inside of the nose. Usually, it is harmless because of the natural protective barriers that the body has. But, if the skin has any damage done to it, such as a scratch or scrape, this bacteria can quickly invade the wound, which in turn causes a staph infection.
Treating Staphylococcus Infections
If the infection is on the surface of the skin, the wound is first cleaned with a disinfectant, then an antibiotic ointment is applied. This treatment is the most effective when a person seeks medical treatment right away. But, if treatment is delayed, the wound can quickly worsen and turn into an …show more content…
If the infection is minor, and only on the surface of the skin, it can generally heal in a matter of a few days to a week. But, if the infection is untreated for a significant amount of time, and it spreads throughout the body, a person can become ill for several months. If their immune system becomes too weak to fight it off, a person can even die from a staph infection or the illnesses that it causes.
The Dangers of Staph
Besides the above mentioned risks involved with this type of infection, there is an even more dangerous aspect to Staph. It is highly contagious, especially to people who have open wounds or cuts on their body. One person can pass it onto another person through physical contact and intimacy, or sharing clothing or bedding with them. For this reason, many patients with serious staph infections are put into isolation wards to protect other patients and the medical staff caring for them at the hospital.
Prevention
To prevent a staph infection, be sure to treat all wounds and scraps right away. See a dermatologist or general physician for any that have significant redness or appear to be worsening. And lastly, keep all wounds covered with a clean bandage, so the likeliness of spreading the infection is