How to treat Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is where we watch for useless gold?

Golden staph (or Staphylococcus aureus) is one of 30 species of bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus.

These "Golden" organisms are a common cause of various diseases – despite the fact that they naturally colonize our skin or mucous membranes.

The article offers to consider the following questions:

• How to treat staph infection (in particular, how to treat Staphylococcus aureus)?
• Is it possible to cure staph with antibiotics?
• What medicine can cure the infection and which drug is most effective in the ability to kill unwanted gold?

So what is it? They pose a problem or not?

What is Staphylococcus aureus and whether to take any action against Staphylococcus?

Bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus is composed of spherical cells. Staphylococci are predominantly organized in the colony, similar to bunches of grapes – hence the Greek word "staphyle" meaning "bunch of grapes".

Often formed colonies of 6-8 mm in height, with a creamy color, sometimes yellowish. In particular, S. aureus bacteria, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, characterized by yellow, Golden color.

This bacterium is a major human pathogen (this means that it causes various infections), but can also occur in animals. Staph can be found (in humans) in the following areas:

• Armpits.
• Intimate zone.
• Nose.
• The mucous membrane of the rectum.
• Oral cavity.
• Pharynx, and larynx.
• Gastrointestinal tract.

  

This is a natural contamination of the environment. If Staphylococcus aureus is in the nose of a person, it is likely that it has spread through respiration. Or by direct contact with contaminated objects bacteria gets on the skin.

As the person comes in contact with Staphylococcus aureus?

The ubiquitous Staphylococcus bacteria easier to enter the body through the hands. After the staph infection settles in the human body, he becomes a carrier.

Carriage increases the risk of infection! The carriers are mainly children. According to the statistics, the bacteria is waiting for "better times", mainly in the nasal cavity. Staphylococcus aureus is not harmful to the body if the person is not immunocompromised.

According to some scientists, a person can be a carrier of only one type of Staphylococcus aureus, several species, or it may not be a carrier. Interesting information that women using hormonal contraceptives with a higher probability of being a carrier of staph in the nose (statistics).

Infection can then occur in cases where:

• There is a weakening of the immune system – for example, when cold or the flu.
• The disturbed skin barrier without subsequent disinfection – a small (sometimes large) cuts, wounds, burns, animal bites.
• Enter a subject in the body (e.g., implants and the like).
• Different medical intervention, when the bacterium is not found in the "natural enemy", but can invade healthy tissue or induce the formation of toxins in the blood – in such cases, the infection can flare up in a completely different place.

Staph lives and in hospitals

Possible, though unexpected, place of infection are hospital. In this case we are talking about hospital-acquired infections.

The appearance of Staphylococcus aureus in the hospital is easily explained – there is a large number of people with different diseases, which have (in addition) different hygiene habits. People, thus, the exchange of bacteria through everyday actions such as coughing, contact with each other, failure to observe cleanliness in the toilets or next to the sink.

In addition, bacteria in medical institutions may be more resistant to antibiotics because they are regularly subjected to themimpact!

Staphylococcus aureus and food

Another way in which man can meet with Staphylococcus aureus, is the food. Contaminated or improperly processed foods have a bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Although these bacteria are destroyed above 50°C, their toxins are destroyed after 20 minutes heat treatment.

However, poisoning occurs only when eating, which is rich in toxins.

Dangerous foods include:

• Meat, poultry, fish and their products – meat, sausage, salty ham.
• Milk and milk products – butter sauce, whipped cream, ice cream, evaporated and powdered milk puddings.
• Eggs and mayonnaise dishes – potato salad, egg salad.
• Pastry filled with cream.
• Prepared meals, re-contaminated with staphylococci.

Take care of the food storage, respectively, to prepare food in accordance with its nature. In those places where you store food must be clean!

Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is the most important initiator of a wide range of diseases of the skin, soft connective tissue and bone. It can infect:

• Wounds on the skin.
• Bone, i.e. bone marrow.
• Muscle, soft tissue and organs (kidneys, liver, spleen, thyroid, eyes, nerves).
• Heart muscle or heart valves – this infection can lead to reduced efficiency of the heart.
• The respiratory system (e.g. pneumonia).
• Sepsis (blood poisoning).

How does a staph infection?

The most common is infection of the skin. It is manifested by sores and blisters which around turn red, itchy and sore, sometimes clogged with pus (due to inflammation). The rash can turn into a long-healed wounds. The skin can harden.

When infected the deeper layers of the skin, can be observed on the inflamed areas, with a hole in the center, from which flows pus. For more serious diseases, infections are accompanied by high temperature.Infection of the bone marrow, which can occur, for example, in children, is characterized by a rapid rise in temperature, pains in the bones until limp. Pain can be acute, last for continuously or intermittently.

Pneumonia is the most common disease among young children, long-term bedridden people, chronic or dependent patients. A typical chest pain which is worse when coughing. The mucus is yellowish or green. Frequent symptoms are represented by fever, fever, headache and muscle weakness.

Food poisoning toxins containing Staphylococcus aureus, can easily be confused with other "simple" abdominal pain. It is manifested by vomiting and watery diarrhoea, occurring within 2-6 hours after a meal. It is therefore important to control what you eat yourself, or especially your child.

How to treat MRSA and staph infection?

In the treatment of infections caused by S. aureus, doctors use effective and proven methods. Diseases affecting the surface of the skin, first use of surface preparations (creams or ointments) containing antibiotics, the most common Mupirocin, Retapamulin.

If the surface treatment for staph has not shown results, there is a need to continue therapy by oral administration of an antibiotic, which is able to get rid of bacteria. In this case, a dermatologist may prescribe an antibiotic that kills staph, a wide range of actions (such as Metronidazole, Ciprofloxacin, and Clindamycin). Treatment of infections of the skin can last for 7-14 days.

When you define methods, than to treat staph, the doctor decides on the basis of the patient's condition. In case of complications of treatment, for example, if the human condition is not improving after the first application of antibiotics, the doctor injects other – stronger – antibiotics for staph.

When the infection is treated slower?

Slow rate treatment of the infection may occur in case:

• Present cardiovascular disease, respectively, there is caused by them disorders, for example, "purchased" the wounds on his legs, insufficient blood flow to the extremities, the wound will heal more long and, therefore, the bacteria have more time to infect her.
• There is a diabetes.
• People get cancer.
• The post-operative period (e.g., surgery, implants).
• Is cystic fibrosis, AIDS.
• Alcoholism and/or nicotine dependence.
• Lack of kidney function.
• Cirrhosis.
• There are problems with the nervous system.
• Elderly age.
• Insufficient or excessive weight.

In such cases, the question of how to treat staph infection, is the most critical, because there is a need for therapeutic interventions taking into account already existing disease.

Preventing infection

In order not to wonder, how to get rid of Staphylococcus aureus, pay attentionprevention – wash your hands often and, in the case of the presence of a wound, keep it clean! Of course, within reasonable limits, as excessive commitment to purity can not fully limit the spread of infection – bacteria can become resistant to disinfectants. Stick to the principle of "Golden mean".

Infection a person can get after being bitten by animal (dogs, rodents, reptiles). Therefore, disinfect the wound after injury. In case of deterioration, immediately contact a doctor!

Of course, if you know that you are a carrier of Staphylococcus aureus, protect the people around you, for example, using a gauze bandage or, when you sneeze, be sure to cover your mouth.

In statistics, a solution to the question how to kill the bacteria, offers a drink of hot tea or coffee. This effect can be explained by the fact that warm drinks activate the secretory function of the mucous membrane, thus, seated the slime is more easily removed from the body and respiratory system.

Don't underestimate Staphylococcus aureus!

Bacteria are capable of crossing with each other, thus enhancing its stability to external influences (e.g., antibiotics). Thus, it is dangerous to underestimate the infection and do not cure it completely, for example, do not take the full course of antibiotic treatment.