What is Staph Infection?

      

Staph infection is the broad description of several skin disorders caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Diagnosis of staph infection can be determined by visual examination or by extracting a fluid sample from the infected skin or swabbing the sight and using the sample to grow a culture.

There are five main skin disorders related to staph infection; descriptions of these are on the proceeding table.

     Impetigo
Name of Condition Target Description of Infection
Abscesses Skin and any other organ Pus-filled and swelled skin or organ
Boils Skin around hair follicles on head Large red inflammations starting deep within the follicle
Folliculitis Face, chin, legs, and any area that is shaved Itchy white pus-filled bumps
Impetigo Area around nose and mouth (Primarily seen in children) Blisters and red scabby skin
Sty Eyelid Sore red bumps
 
                 

Staphylococcus aureus is also responsible for food poisoning, Toxic Shock Syndrome, pneumonia, osteomyelitis (infection of the skeletal muscles), mastitis (infection of the breast), endocarditis (infection of the heart), and bacteremia (bacterial infection of the blood).

More Pictures:

Abscess

Abscesses

 

Boil

Boils

   

Folliculitis

Folliculituis

     
                   
 
What is it? Causes Treatment Prevention Sources Home