The Cause, Symptoms and Treatment of Staph Infection
Staph infection scientifically accepted as Staphylococcus is a group of bacteria which results in numerous diseases, like causing infection in tissues. About 25–30 per cent people face this infection while 25 per centof people working in hospitals are prone to this infection. It is found that in those 25 per cent of healthy people, new born and feeding women are likely to catch this infection.
People having chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer or any other vascular one are more likely to suffer from staph infections. Weak immune system points to staphylococcus, so eat healthy. Communicating directly through wound, bandage or razor will have an increased risk of developing the same with another person. Casual contact is said to be safe with the infected person such as hugging or kissing.
Symptoms of staph infection:
When a pus is collected in a certain area, it becomes red or swollen, this is the very first sign of staph infection. The main symptoms are as follows:
- Cellulitis:
when an infection is caused deeper inside a skin, redness is caused on the epidermis of the skin. The intense red skin without any reason is a symptom of cellulitis.
2. Impetigo :
staph bacteria usually causes painful and rash skin. Large blisters with fluid stored in it can be noticed during staph infections. Honey coloured crust on the skin is also very common.
3. Boils :
pocket of pus with a hair follicle present in it is known as boils and it is mostly noticed when it is a start of staph infection. Redness and swollen area is common around it.
Diseases caused by staph infection:
- Food poisoning :
Food poisoning is mostly caused because of staph bacteria. You can catch a staph bacteria instantly by eating contaminated food or drinking impure water. Symptoms may not last more than 30 minutes. The symptoms may include — dehydration, nausea, vomit, low blood pressure etc.
2. Toxic shock syndrome :
It is considered as life threatening syndrome. When bacteria of staphproduces some toxins, it leads to such threatening syndrome. It is caused by using low quality tampons and while treating any wound. The symptoms are — high fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, muscle ache etc.
3. Septic arthritis:
The staph bacteria often targets the section of knees and joints resulting in septic arthritis. Fever, swelling and pain in joints are the symptoms of this disease.
How staph infection is detected by a health professional:
Minor infection can be analysed by viewing the affected are while major infection needs a laboratory test. Blood samples are diagnosed under the supervision of doctor to calculate the amount of bacteria present in a body.
Treatment of staph infections:
- Antibiotic:
doctor first of all conducts a test to determine the amount of bacteria present in one’s body. After that, he’ll prescribe you antibiotic with the amount of dosage. Take care, if you have been prescribed with an oral antibiotic then complete the dosage and consume it as directed by the doctor. Vancomycin is one of the popular antibiotics for serious infections. Apart from it, nafcillin, cephalosporins are also recommended by the doctors.
2. Drainage:
your doctor may help you drain the pus collected in the internal layers of your skin. This will help you to get a relief from pain and swelling.
3. Surgical cleaning :
if the pus is detected deep in the layers of your skin, it will get surgically cleaned with the help of devices.
Prevention of staphylococcus:
- Wash hands :
your hands contain more bacteria. Try washing your hands frequently for about 30–40 seconds. If your hands do not consist of visible dirt, then try using a good sanitiser. You should select a sanitizer which consists more than 60 per cent of alcohol in its mixture.
2. Change your tampons regularly :
wearing a tampon for more than 4 hours, will aid a platform for staph bacteria. Try to change your tampons in every 4 hours. By opting for this habit, you can reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome. If possible, try using cotton sanitary napkins and that too needs to be changed once in every 6 hours.
3. Stay clean :
keep your personal belongings neat and clean. Wash your clothes and undergarments regularly. Wash your clothes and bed sheets with hot water. Hot water helps in removing the bacteria instantly.
So as you all have acknowledged the symptoms, treatment and prevention about staph infections. Try to prevent it. It’s not that hard. Simply eat healthy and keep yourself clean. You will always have lower chances of gaining the infections.
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This post was originally published in CareGuru.
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