These are some of the other germs to be aware of, per Medline Plus: Some of the same preventive steps that can lower your risk of a staph infection, including keeping your hands and body clean and not sharing personal items such as towels and razors, can also help to reduce your risk of skin infections from other causes as well.

Mayo Clinic. Trusted resource Mayo Clinic breaks down what you need to know about Staphylococcus aureus , or staph, in simple terms without dumbing it down. Yep, covered here. Different types of infections, from skin to food poisoning to blood infections? When you want to dig deep into the topic of staph infections, MedlinePlus is the place to start, with links to articles on the kinds of infections staph can cause, research articles, Spanish-language resources, and ongoing clinical trials related to staph infections.

Consumer Reports. The gym can be a breeding ground for skin infections, including staph, which is why you hope the person who used the exercise machine before you wiped it off. But germs can lurk in other parts of the gym, such as the showers or the sauna. Consumer Reports tells you what to do to avoid bringing a skin infection home from the gym. NYU Langone Health. A staph infection can lead to more serious infections, such as cellulitis. So how do you prevent a staph infection in the first place?

This site tells you how. KidsHealth From Nemours. Kids and teens get staph infections, too, but frequent hand-washing and daily showering or bathing can help to prevent them. Learn how to protect your home and family as well as how to recognize a staph infection should one occur.

World Health Organization. Bacterial infections occur worldwide, and effective antibiotics are needed to treat them. But when bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics — which tends to occur when antibiotics are given at low doses for short periods for viral infections — common bacterial infections, including some staph infections, become harder to treat.

Learn what you can do as an individual to help control the spread of antibiotic resistance. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: September 1, Medically Reviewed. Types of Staph Infections There are two types of staph infections, broadly speaking: skin infections and invasive infections. Anyone can get a staph infection, but certain factors increase your odds. One study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that staph is more likely spread from person to person in a residence that: 5 Has a lower cleanliness score based on observations of odor, clutter, and grime Is rented and crowded Houses people who share bedrooms, towels, or hygiene items Contains MRSA contamination on surfaces Hygiene habits that reduced the risk of staph spread among household members include showering instead of taking baths, brushing teeth twice daily, and practicing frequent hand-washing.

In addition to antibiotics, sometimes surgery is also needed to drain a wound, abscess, or boil. Prevention of Staph Infection Staph bacteria are everywhere. Some simple measures that can help prevent the spread of staph include: Stay clean. Cover wounds. Put a bandage on any skin wounds until they heal completely. Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. Staph Infection in Kids Staph infections, including MRSA, can affect children and may be more common in those who spend time at daycare facilities, and in kids who play team sports, notes the University of Rochester.

Staph Infection in Pets Pets can develop a staph infection as a result of scratching, licking, or chewing their skin. Favorite Sites for Basic Staph Information Mayo Clinic Trusted resource Mayo Clinic breaks down what you need to know about Staphylococcus aureus , or staph, in simple terms without dumbing it down.

MedlinePlus When you want to dig deep into the topic of staph infections, MedlinePlus is the place to start, with links to articles on the kinds of infections staph can cause, research articles, Spanish-language resources, and ongoing clinical trials related to staph infections.

Favorite Resources on Lowering Your Risk and Preventing a Recurrence Consumer Reports The gym can be a breeding ground for skin infections, including staph, which is why you hope the person who used the exercise machine before you wiped it off. KidsHealth From Nemours Kids and teens get staph infections, too, but frequent hand-washing and daily showering or bathing can help to prevent them.

Favorite Explainer on Antibiotic Resistance World Health Organization Bacterial infections occur worldwide, and effective antibiotics are needed to treat them. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Staphylococcal Infections.

August 17, Bush LM. Staphylococcus Aureus Infections. Merck Manual: Consumer Version. June Staph infections.

May 6, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus. American Academy of Family Physicians. May 20, The Lancet Infectious Diseases. November 26, The American Journal of Medicine. Staph Infections. Kids Health from Nemours. July Letters in Applied Microbiology. Frequently Asked Questions About Sepsis. Sepsis Alliance. The Lancet. January 18, It also causes symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and fluid buildup in your arms or legs.

Food poisoning typically causes nausea and vomiting , diarrhea , and a fever. If you lose too many fluids, you may also become dehydrated. Pneumonia symptoms include a high fever, chills, and cough that doesn't get better. You may also have chest pain and shortness of breath.

Toxic shock syndrome TSS causes high fever, sudden low blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhea, and confusion. You may have a sunburn-like rash somewhere on your body. TSS can lead to organ failure. How are staph infections diagnosed? What are the treatments for staph infections? Can staph infections be prevented? Certain steps can help to prevent staph infections: Use good hygiene , including washing your hands often Don't share towels, sheets, or clothing with someone who has a staph infection It's best not to share athletic equipment.

If you do need to share, make sure that it properly cleaned and dried before you use it. Practice food safety , including not preparing food for others when you have a staph infection If you have a cut or wound, keep it covered.

Start Here. Related Issues. Boils Furunculosis VisualDX. Clinical Trials. Article: Association of vancomycin trough concentration on the treatment outcome of patients Article: Autophagy in Staphylococcus aureus Infection. Staphylococcal Infections -- see more articles.

Because staph bacteria are so hardy, they can live on objects such as pillowcases or towels long enough to transfer to the next person who touches them.

A variety of factors — including the status of your immune system to the types of sports you play — can increase your risk of developing staph infections. Certain disorders or the medications used to treat them can make you more susceptible to staph infections.

People who may be more likely to get a staph infection include those with:. Despite vigorous attempts to eradicate them, staph bacteria remain present in hospitals, where they attack the most vulnerable, including people with:. Staph bacteria can travel along the medical tubing that connects the outside world with your internal organs.

Examples include:. Staph bacteria can spread easily through cuts, abrasions and skin-to-skin contact. Staph infections may also spread in the locker room through shared razors, towels, uniforms or equipment. Food handlers who don't properly wash their hands can transfer staph from their skin to the food they're preparing.

Foods that are contaminated with staph look and taste normal. If staph bacteria invade your bloodstream, you may develop a type of infection that affects your entire body. Called sepsis, this infection can lead to septic shock — a life-threatening episode with extremely low blood pressure. Wash your hands. Careful hand-washing is your best defense against germs. Wash your hands with soap and water briskly for at least 20 seconds. Then dry them with a disposable towel and use another towel to turn off the faucet.

If your hands aren't visibly dirty, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Wash your hands with soap and water regularly, such as before, during and after making food; after handling raw meat or poultry; before eating; after using the bathroom; and after touching an animal or animal waste. Wash clothing and bedding in hot water.

Staph bacteria can survive on clothing and bedding that isn't properly washed. To get bacteria off clothing and sheets, wash them in hot water whenever possible. Also, use bleach on any bleach-safe materials. Drying in the dryer is better than air-drying, but staph bacteria may survive the clothes dryer.

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