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StaphAseptic™ News
Take steps to prevent two types of infection
July 9, 2009
By Staff , Memphis Commercial Appeal
What you should know
Two types of common bacteria can make you very ill: staphylococcus and streptococcus (staph and strep).
Staph and strep live on the skin, especially in warm moist areas like your nose, mouth and genitals. Generally they do not cause problems. But when the skin is chafed or broken, staph and strep bacteria can enter the wound and cause a skin infection. Shaving and sweating can increase the chances of an infection. Many skin infections are caused by strep bacteria but skin infections with boils or pimples are often caused by staph.
Staph bacteria often spread through skin-to-skin contact. A person can also spread a staph infection from one place on the body to another by scratching.
Physicians may prescribe antibiotics to treat staph infections. These can be ointments, oral medicine, or shots.
Most staph infections are minor and can be treated at home. However, staph can become very dangerous if it moves from the skin into the bloodstream. Other parts of the body -- organs, blood, bones, and the nervous system -- can become infected. Staph can cause surgical wound infections, sepsis (bloodstream infections), urinary tract infections, pneumonia and food poisoning. The spread of staph in the bloodstream is more likely in people with weakened immune systems.
Some staph has become hard to kill with antibiotics. This staph is called methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. MRSA is most often found in hospitals and on the skin of people who have taken lots of antibiotics.
Streptococcus (strep for short) is a bacterium that also comes in different forms. Most sore throats are caused by viruses. But sore throats with fever, tender glands or white spots (pus) on the tonsils, especially in children, are more likely to be strep.
Physicians may swab an inflamed throat to get a sample to test for strep.
Strep throat can cause serious complications, including kidney, heart and joint problems. Fever and painful joints after several weeks may be a sign of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can permanently damage the heart valves.
Both staph and strep infections can spread easily in college dorms, schools and day care centers.
Infections can be avoided. Hand washing is one of the best and most inexpensive ways to avoid infections.
Taking the wrong antibiotic may delay correct treatment and allow bacteria to multiply.
Overuse of antibiotics is leading to dangerous resistant bacteria.
What you should do
Wash your hands frequently, especially when you are in public places. Hand washing with regular soap is an effective way to avoid spreading staph or strep bacteria.
Avoid staph infections with personal hygiene. Take a bath or shower daily. Bathe after using a gym or playing sports.
Clean wounds with soap and water, then protect wounds with petroleum jelly or ointment and a bandage. Avoid sharing the towels, razors, bed linens or clothing of a person with a staph infection.
Watch for rashes, pimples, hair follicles, a stye, or boil that is red, warm and pus filled. Cover staph wounds.
Young women should change tampons frequently to avoid toxic shock syndrome from the strep bacteria. Alternate using sanitary napkins and tampons when possible.
If you have a fever with a skin infection or throat infection, see a doctor.
Watch out for signs and symptoms of strep throat. Go see a doctor for any severe sore throat with fever, difficulty swallowing, tender glands, or white spots (pus) on swollen tonsils.
Avoid sharing cups, drinking glasses, or other personal things if a person has any type of strep infection.
If you have a staph or strep infection, don't infect others. Wash your hands often and don't share personal items.
Take prescribed medicine for your strep or staph infection exactly as the doctor tells you. Complete the prescription even after you seem better. Do not skip doses. Do not save antibiotics for the next time you get sick. Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else.
Don't take antibiotics for viral illnesses like colds, or most cases of sore throat, bronchitis, or sinusitis. For viral illness, antibiotics won't help and they may hurt you.
For more information
Go to Healthymemphis.org/links for Web links to find out about staph and strep bacteria.
Better Health: Take Charge is provided by the Healthy Memphis Common Table: healthymemphis.org.
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