Research on Staph Infections - Essay Example

Running Head: STAPH INFECTIONS Staph Infections of the of the Staph Infections Staph is the short for Staphylococcus, which is a type of bacteria. Staphs can be present harmlessly on skin surfaces, especially found in mouth, around the nose, genitals, and anus. However, when skin is broken or punctured for any reason, these bacteria have ability of entering the wound and eventually cause an infection. Some people carry these bacteria and will never be infected by them. More than 30 species of staph bacteria have been discovered and they can so many types of illnesses such one kind of staph cause urinary tract infections. The two major species of Staphylococcus are Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis, the difference is distinguished between the fermentation of mannitol salt agar. Staphylococcus aureus will ferment mannitol and produces acid and Staphylococcus epidermidis does not. Sometimes, Staphylococcus may cause infection the most common being skin infections. Mostly these infections are not major and can be treated easily without using antibiotics. Such minor infections of Staphylococcus are skin infections, bone infections, and pneumonia. Occasionally, Staphylococcus bacteria can also cause serious infections such as severe life-threatening bloodstream infections. These diseases are spread by having direct contact with the infected individual. Although some skin infections may be infected by indirect contact by touching inanimate objects. It is important on how Staphylococcus is spread because a person is liable to pick the infection up from almost anywhere. According to the Center of Disease Control, most serious staphylococcus infections were treated with a certain type of antibiotic related to penicillin. Although, over the years, the treatment methods for these infections have become difficult because of antibiotic resistance. As reported, by the Center of Disease Control, "antibiotic resistance can cause significant danger and suffering for children and adults who have common infections, that may have once been able to be treated easily with antibiotics. The use of antibiotics encourages the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Bacteria that become resistant to antibiotics occurs when bacteria mutate causing a reduced or even maybe eliminating the effectiveness of drugs, or any other chemical designed to prevent disease. These bacteria learn to survive and therefore, continue to multiply causing more harm to their host body. The CDC reported that people should only use antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, not such things as the flu or cold viruses. (Jackson, 2008) How Do People Get Staph Infections? Most staph infections in teens include minor skin infections. People having skin problems such as eczema or burns are more likely to catch staph skin infections. Staph infections can spread from contaminated objects, however, they often spread through skin-to-skin contact, the bacteria can get access from one area of the human body to another area if the infected part is being touched. Staph infections can be spread from individual to individual in those who live close together in groups (like in college dorms). Usually the infection spreads when one with skin infection shares their bed linens, towels, or clothing. Warm, humid environment contributes to these infections, like excessive sweating increases individuals chances of developing staph infection. (Kolbe, 2008) Signs and Symptoms Staph diseases of skin are characterized with localized formation of pus, also known as abscess, furuncle or boil. The affected area of the skin will be swollen, red and painful. Pus or drainage is common signs. Diseases caused by staph Staph infection in the skin can lead to impetigo. It is a skin infection and can affect body skin anywhere but commonly occurs around the nose and mouth. It usually affects children from 3 to 14 years, especially during summer. Impetigo which is caused by staph is characterized by large size blisters contain fluid that is firstly clear, and then cloudy. These blisters sometimes burst; they ooze fluid, and develop a honey colored crust on the skin. Impetigo can itch, and it may spread by scratching the effected part. Typical impetigo is usually treated with a topical ointment and, depending on the severity of infection oral antibiotics may be added. Staphs can cause cellulitis which is characterized by inflammation of connective tissues underneath the skin. Cellulitis begins with a small area of redness in the skin, swelling, pain and warmth on skin. When cellulites start to spread, person feels feverish and sick. Cellulitis may affect any area of the body, however it is most common on the legs. A furuncle is commonly known as a boil, it is a red, swollen and painful lump in the skin, caused by an infected hair follicle. The lump is usually filled with pus, grows larger and becomes more painful until ruptures and starts draining. Furuncles usually begin as folliculitis and then becomes worse. Most commonly they are found on the face, neck, buttocks, armpits, and inner areas of thighs, where small hair can be irritated. A cluster of several furuncles is known as carbuncle. A person with carbuncle usually feels sick and feverish. Scalded Skin Syndrome is a rare but serious complicated disorder caused by staph bacteria; Scalded skin syndrome most often affects newborn babies, infants and children under 5years. The signs start with a localized staph infection in the skin, then these bacteria manufacture a toxin which affects skin all over. The child gets fever, rash, and also sometimes blisters. This rash starts forming around mouth, spreads to trunk, then arms and legs. These blisters burst and the rash passes, eventually the top most layer of the skin is dislodged and surface of skin becomes red and raw, looks like a burn in the skin.Scalded skin syndrome is a serious disease that has to be treated and monitored in hospital. It affects the body like serious burns. After completion of treatment, mostly kids are fully recovered. A stye or hordeolum, is also a staph infection occurs in the eyelid. It occurs when glands which are connected to the base of eyelash become irritated and swellen. A person with stye usually has a reddish, uncomfortable, warm and painful swelling near edge of eyelid. Staph can result in mastitis in breastfeeding women, inflammation of the breast or abscess of the breast. Staphylococcal breast abscesses may release bacteria into mothers milk. When bacteria enter in the bloodstream and spread to other body organs, this can result in a large number of serious infections. Staphylococcal pneumonia usually affects people having underlying lung diseases and leads to the abscess formation in the lungs. Staph infection in the heart valves known as endocarditis can lead to heart failure. Spread of these bacteria to the human bones may cause severe inflammation of bones which is known as osteomyelitis. Staphylococcal sepsis is characterized with widespread infection in the bloodstream and is known as a leading cause of circulatory collapse and shock, leads to death, in individuals with severe burns over large areas in the the body. (Laxminarayan, 2007) Staphylococcal food poisoning is illness of the bowels characterized with vomitting, nausea and dehydration. It occurs by eating food contaminated with toxins which are produced by Staphylococcus aureus. Its symptoms typically develop in one to six hours after having contaminated food. Its illness lasts for about one to three days and resolves on its own. Patients with this infection are not contagious, as these toxins do not transmit from one person to another person. Staph aureus causes Toxic Shock Syndrome which is an illness caused by toxins secreted by these bacteria which grow under conditions where there is little or no oxygen. Toxic shock syndrome starts with the sudden onset of high degree fever, diarrhea, vomiting and muscle aches, which is followed by low blood pressure , and may lead to shock or death. This may be associated with a rash resembles sunburn, with skin peeling. Toxic shock syndrome usually occurs in menstruating women that use tampons. (Haggerty, 2002) Prevention Staph bacteria are present everywhere in our surroundings. Good hygiene and cleanliness are the best way to protect against getting staph infections. One can help prevent staph’s skin infections by washing hands frequently and also by daily bathing and showering. Areas of the skin that have been injured such as scrapes, cuts, eczema, and rashes which are caused by allergic reactions should be kept covered and clean. Any antibiotic, ointment or other treatment should be used only on doctor’s prescription. If someone in family has staph infection, they should not share sheets, towels or clothing until and unless the infection has been fully treated. If someone develops a staph infection, they can prevent spreading it to other parts of body by being careful and not to touch the infected area of the skin, they must keep it covered as much as possible, and use a towel only once when clean the area and the towel should be washed in hot water afterwards or they should use disposable towels. Treatment Superficial staph infections can be cured by keeping the area of infection clean, by using soap that leaves a germ-killing film on skin, and by applying warm and moist compresses to the infected area for about twenty to thirty minutes 3 or 4 times a day. Severe infections can be cured within seven to ten days course of treatment with penicillin or any other oral antibiotics. There effective medications are available which can be prescribed according to the location of infection and type of the bacteria. Antibiotics can be administered intravenously in case of serious infections for usually six weeks. Infections around the eyes or on other parts of face can be treated by using Intravenous antibiotics. In order to drain or to remove abscesses formed on internal organs surgery may be required, or on shunts or may be other devices are implanted in the body. Alternative therapies are used to strengthen immune system and to prevent recurrences. These therapies include yoga which stimulates immune system and relaxation, acupuncture takes away heat from the infection, and other herbal remedies. Herbs may also help the infected body over come or prevent staph infections; these include Garlic, Cleavers, Goldenseal, Echinacea, Thyme and Tea tree oil. References Jackson, Dwayne, Joe Weiders Muscle & Fitness, STIFLE STAPH, 07445105, Mar2008, Vol. 69, Issue 3 Lloyd Kolbe, Ph.D. NEA Today, 07347219, Feb2008, Vol. 26, Issue 5 Laxminarayan, Modern Healthcare, 01607480, 12/3/2007, Vol. 37, Issue 48 Maureen Haggerty., Staphylococcal infections, December, 2002 Read More