How is staph infection contracted

Staph infections travel easily from one person to another on objects or through skin-to-skin contact. However, there are some ways to help minimize the chances of spreading a staph infection, including the below. If someone in the household has a staph infection, everyone in the home needs to practice good hygiene.

This may include taking the below steps. Dogs can pass a staph infection to humans through contact with a wound or dog bite. Dogs are very similar to humans in relation to staph — the bacterium lives on their skin and in their nose and can cause skin and systemic infections.

Wearing gloves and practicing proper handwashing are also important while changing bandages, grooming, petting, or playing with the dog. A person should also properly dispose of soiled bandages and any toys that may have come in contact with the affected area of the dog. Alternatively, a person could sanitize any toys the animal has used. Staph bacterium cannot survive in water that is properly chemically treated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC state that there have been no reports of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus MRSA — a serious form of staph resistant to antibiotics — that has spread through the water at recreational pools.

However, a person could still acquire this infection from someone at a pool through direct contact or by touching a contaminated object such as a seat or towel. To avoid this:. Minor staph infections may clear up on their own, but they may require medical intervention and treatment with antibiotics. This can help stop them from worsening, spreading, or coming back. If a person has a skin staph infection, they may receive antibiotics in pill, liquid, cream, gel, or ointment form.

Other types of staph infections could require intravenous antibiotics. Additionally, a doctor may choose to drain the sore if required. If the infection is in a bone, surgery could be necessary to clean out the infection.

When antibiotics are involved, finishing the entire course is vital, even if a person begins to feel better before they complete the final dose. Once a person finishes their course of antibiotics, they need to discard any remaining medication properly and avoid using leftover medication to treat future infections.

They should also seek medical care to see if additional antibiotics are required if the condition recurs in the future. Staph infections are contagious through direct contact with the affected site or contact with an object where staph bacterium is still present. Staph enters the body through cuts, scrapes, and wounds, so covering these with clean bandages can help provide protection. If a person has symptoms of a staph infection, they should contact a doctor at their earliest opportunity for treatment.

Early treatment with antibiotics can prevent a more serious infection. If a person notices signs of an infection on an ingrown hair, they should contact a doctor to rule out staph infection. This infection can lead to….

Staphylococcus bacteria cause staph infections. This article discusses the causes, types, symptoms, and treatment of staph infections, as well as the…. Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria that can infect the nose. Discover the symptoms of staph infection and the treatment options available…. MRSA is a type of staph infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics. Staph infections may appear similar to a spider bite.

They are contagious…. MRSA is an infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics, including penicillin, which makes it challenging to treat. Find out what it is and why…. Is staph infection contagious? However, if you develop a staph infection, there's a good chance that it's from bacteria you've been carrying around for some time.

These bacteria can also be transmitted from person to person. 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. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Staph infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria, types of germs commonly found on the skin or in the nose of even healthy individuals. Staph infection Open pop-up dialog box Close. Staph infection MRSA infections start out as small red bumps that can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Jameson JL, et al. Staphylococcal infections. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine.