17/01/2023
Invasive and implanted devices
Staph bacteria can get into the body by traveling along medical tubing. These devices make a connection between the outside and the inside of your body. Examples are:
Urinary catheters
Tubing placed in a vein (intravenous catheters)
Also, staph bacteria are attracted to implanted devices, where they grow on the surface and cause infection. These include surgically implanted devices such as:
Artificial joints
Cardiac pacemakers
Contact sports
Staph bacteria can spread easily through cuts, scrapes and skin-to-skin contact. Staph infections may also spread in the locker room through shared razors, towels, uniforms or equipment.
Unsanitary food preparation
Food handlers who don't properly wash their hands can transfer staph bacteria from their skin to the food they're preparing. The bacteria multiply in the food and produce toxins that make you sick. Cooking can kill the bacteria. But the toxins are still in the food. Foods that are contaminated with staph bacteria do not look or taste differently.
Complications
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. This is a life-threatening episode when your blood pressure drops to an extremely low level.
Staph infections can also turn deadly if the bacteria invade deep into your body, entering your bloodstream, joints, bones, lungs or heart.
Prevention
These commonsense precautions can help lower your risk of getting staph infections:
Wash your hands. Thorough 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 the towel to turn off the faucet. If your hands aren't visibly dirty or you aren't able to wash your hands, 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.
Keep wounds covered. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal. The pus from infected sores often contains staph bacteria. Keeping wounds covered will help keep the bacteria from spreading.
Reduce tampon risks. Toxic shock syndrome is caused by staph bacteria. Tampons left in for long periods can grow staph bacteria. You can reduce your chances of getting toxic shock syndrome by changing your tampon frequently — at least every 4 to 8 hours. Use the lowest absorbency tampon you can. Try to alternate tampons with sanitary napkins whenever possible.
Keep personal items personal. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, razors, clothing and athletic equipment. Staph infections can spread on objects, as well as from person to person.
Wash clothing and bedding. Staph bacteria can spread on clothing, towels and bedding. To remove bacteria, wash and dry items at the warmest temperature recommended by the items' labels. It's OK if you can't use hot water, as using detergent in your wash is enough to make items clean and safe for use. You can use bleach on any bleach-safe materials.
Take food safety precautions. Wash your hands before handling food. If food will be out for a while, make sure that hot foods stay hot — above 140 F (60 C). Make sure that cold foods stay at 40 F (4.4 C) or below. Refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible. Wash cutting boards and counters with soap and water.