Transcript 1. Keep hands clean by washing with soap and water or using an

Staphylococcus
aureus
Skin Infections
Typical Staph Skin Infections
• Staph aureus are bacteria that commonly cause skin
infections.
• 20 to 30% of healthy people have Staph on their skin.
• Staph are resistant to some antibiotics, but all Staph
infections can be treated with one or more antibiotics.
• Some populations, like athletes, military recruits, children,
and prisoners are at higher risk of Staph infections.
• The risk of infection is increased when there are cuts in
the skin, close skin-to-skin contact, crowded living
conditions, poor hygiene, and contaminated items and
surfaces.
• Staph infection can be prevented through
practicing good hygiene:
1. Keep hands clean by washing with soap and water
or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a
bandage until healed.
3. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds and
bandages
4. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or
razors.
• Employees and students with Staph infections
do not need to be excluded from work or school
if their wounds are clean and covered.
S. aureus Colonization
• About 30% of people are COLONIZED
• Average 2.8 strains /person
• Colonization more frequent in
– Newborns
– Hemodialysis patients
– People with skin diseases like dermatitis,
eczema
– Diabetics
• Colonization may last for months to years
Sites of Colonization
• IN and Around the NOSE
• WOUNDS
• Armpit, groin, genital
and perianal area,
rectum
Mode of Transmission
• From person to person by colonized hands
• Rarely from environment
• General routine cleaning & disinfection of
housekeeping surfaces and patient-care
surfaces adequate for inactivation of MRSA
• MRSA susceptible to many low-level and
intermediate-level disinfectants
• One tablespoon of bleach in a gallon of
water
Community Outbreaks
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Competitive sports
Correctional facilities
School
Day care centers
Families
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Prevention of Staph infection:
• Promote good hygienic standards
– Handwashing, plain soap OK
– Showers
– Do not pick, press, touch wounds, boils
and other skin infections
– Avoid sharing personal items like
towels and razors