Staphylococcus. See other Staphylococci/Staphylococcus programs. Other uses: Streptococcus, chemical sensitivity.Encyclopedia Entry for Staph Infections :Staph infections - hospital. Staph germs are mostly spread by skin-to-skin contact (touching). A doctor, nurse, other health care provider, or even visitors may have staph germs on their body and then spread them to a patient. This can happen when: A provider carries staph on the skin as normal bacteria. A doctor, nurse, other provider, or visitor touches a person who has a staph infection. A person develops a staph infection at home and brings this germ to the hospital. If the person then touches another person without washing their hands first, the staph germs may spread. Also, a patient may have a staph infection before coming to the hospital. This can occur without the person even being aware of it. In a few cases, people can get staph infections by touching clothing, sinks, or other objects that have staph germs on them. One type of staph germ, called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is harder to treat. This is because MRSA is not killed by certain antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph germs.Many healthy people normally have staph on their skin. Most of the time, it does not cause an infection or symptoms. This is called being colonized with staph. These people are known as carriers. They can spread staph to others. Some people colonized with staph develop an actual staph infection that makes them sick. Common risk factors for developing a serious staph infection are: Being in a hospital or other type of care facility for a long time Having a weakened immune system or ongoing (chronic) illness Having an open cut or sore Having a medical device inside your body such as an artificial joint Injecting illegal drugs Living with or having close contact with a person who has staph Being on kidney dialysis.Any time an area of your skin appears red, swollen, or crusty, a staph infection may be the cause. The only way to know for sure is to have a test called a skin culture. To do the culture, your provider may use a cotton swab to collect a sample from an open wound, skin rash, or skin sore. A sample may also be taken from a wound, blood , or sputum (phlegm). The sample is sent to the lab for testing.The best way to prevent the spread of staph for everyone is to keep their hands clean. It is important to wash your hands thoroughly. To do this: Wet your hands and wrists, then apply soap. Rub your palms, backs of your hands, fingers, and in between your fingers until the soap is bubbly. Rinse clean with running water. Dry with a clean paper towel. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet. Alcohol-based gels may also be used if your hands are not visibly dirty. These gels should be at least 60% alcohol. Use enough gel to wet your hands completely. Rub your hands until they are dry. Ask visitors to wash their hands before they come into your hospital room. They should also wash their hands when they leave your room. Health care workers and other hospital staff can prevent staph infection by: Washing their hands before and after they touch every patient Wearing gloves and other protective clothing when they treat wounds, touch IVs and catheters, and when they handle bodily fluids Using the proper sterile techniques Promptly cleaning up after dressing (bandage) changes, procedures, surgeries, and spills Always using sterile equipment and sterile techniques when taking care of patients and equipment Checking for and promptly reporting any sign of wound infections Many hospitals encourage patients to ask their providers if they have washed their hands. As a patient, you have the right to ask.Proper hand washing Proper hand washing.Calfee DP. Prevention and control of health care-associated infections.Encyclopedia Entry for Staph Infections :Staph infections - self-care at home. Many healthy people normally have staph on their skin, in their noses, or other body areas. Most of the time, the germ does not cause an infection or symptoms. This is called being colonized with staph. These persons are known as carriers. They can spread staph to others. Some people colonized by staph develop an actual staph infection that makes them sick. Most staph germs are spread by skin-to-skin contact. They can also be spread when you touch something that has the staph germ on it, such as clothing or a towel. Staph germs can then enter a break in the skin, such as cuts, scratches, or pimples. Usually the infection is minor and stays in the skin. But the infection can spread deeper and affect the blood, bones, or joints. Organs such as the lungs, heart, or brain can also be affected. Serious cases can be life-threatening.You are more likely to get a staph infection if you: Have an open cut or sore Inject illegal drugs Have a medical tube such as urinary catheter or feeding tube Have a medical device inside your body such as an artificial joint Have a weakened immune system or ongoing (chronic) illness Live with or have close contact with a person who has staph Play contact sports or share athletic equipment Share items such as towels, razors, or cosmetics with others Recently stayed in a hospital or long-term care facility.Symptoms depend on where the infection is located. For example, with a skin infection you may have a boil or a painful rash called impetigo. With a serious infection, such as toxic shock syndrome , you may have a high fever, nausea and vomiting, and a sunburn-like rash. The only way to know for sure if you have a staph infection is by seeing a health care provider. A cotton swab is used to collect a sample from an open skin rash or skin sore. A blood , urine , or sputum sample may also be collected. The sample is sent to a lab to test for staph. If staph is found, it will be tested to see which antibiotic should be used to treat your infection.If test results show you have a staph infection, treatment may include: Taking antibiotics Cleaning and draining the wound Surgery to remove an infected device.Follow these steps to avoid a staph infection and prevent it from spreading. Keep your hands clean by washing them thoroughly with soap and water. Or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with bandages until they heal. Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages. Do not share personal items such as towels, clothing, or cosmetics. Simple steps for athletes include: Cover wounds with a clean bandage. Do not touch other people's bandages. Wash your hands well before and after playing sports. Shower right after exercising. Do not share soap, razors, or towels. If you share sports equipment, clean it first with antiseptic solution or wipes. Use clothing or a towel between your skin and the equipment. Do not use a common whirlpool or sauna if another person with an open sore used it. Always use clothing or a towel as a barrier. Do not share splints, bandages, or braces. Check that shared shower facilities are clean. If they are not clean, shower at home.Staphylococcus infections - self care at home; Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infections - self care at home; MRSA infections - self care at home.Chambers HF. Staphylococcal infections.