Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is a bacteria that normally resides on people’s skin without causing problems. However, it can cause an infection when it gets under the skin or into the bloodstream. It is highly contagious and can easily spread through certain types of contact.
This article discusses the symptoms of a staph infection, how it spreads, treatment, and prevention.
What Is Staph?
There are many different types of the bacteria Staphylococcus. The strain that most commonly causes infection in humans is Staphylococcus aureus.
The skin is the most common disease site, but the bacteria can also cause problems in the digestive tract, bones, lungs, and heart.
A severe infection occurs when the bacteria enter the bloodstream and release toxins that cause a condition called sepsis, a powerful response by the body in fighting bacterial blood poisoning.