Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SaB) causes significant disease in humans, carrying mortality rates of ∼25%.
Mortality due to staphylococcal infections varies widely. Untreated S aureus bacteremia carries a mortality rate that exceeds 80%. The mortality rate of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome is 3-5%.
Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is a germ found on people's skin. Staph can cause serious infections if it gets into the blood and can lead to sepsis or death.
There are many kinds of Staphylococcus (staph) infections, but the most dangerous one of all is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Mortality of staphylococcal pneumonia varies from 23% to 33%.
Over the one-year period after cohort entry, 21.8% of patients diagnosed with MRSA and 5.0% of those without the diagnosis died.
A staph infection in the lungs can cause pneumonia. You may have pneumonia if you have: difficulty breathing. fast breathing.
Even healthy people often carry these bacteria, experiencing no related issues most of the time (or only minor infections). However, if the staphylococcus bacteria manage to enter a person's bloodstream, lungs, heart, joints, or bones, a staph infection can become a serious concern.
Bacteremia. Also known as a bloodstream infection, bacteremia occurs when staph bacteria enter the bloodstream. A fever and low blood pressure are signs of bacteremia.
For patients diagnosed with a Staphylococcus aureus infection, often referred to as a staph or MRSA infection, every minute counts. The bacteria create havoc in the body. The immune system goes into overdrive. The heightened immune response can lead to sepsis, which kills 30 to 50 per cent of the people who develop it.
If the infection is severe, you may be sent to the emergency room. If staph is found in the bloodstream, you will be admitted to the hospital to be treated.
Most people recover from staphylococcal infections. Antibiotics typically kill the bacteria shortly after treatment begins. But reinfection and the need for additional treatment sometimes occur.
However, for most staph infections, the incubation period commonly ranges from about four to 10 days.
Staph bacteria are very adaptable. Many varieties have become resistant to one or more antibiotics. For example, today, most staph infections can't be cured with penicillin. Antibiotic-resistant strains of staph bacteria are often described as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains.
Sepsis, which is an infection of the bloodstream, and one of the most dangerous forms of staph infection. Symptoms include rapid breathing, an elevated heart rate, fever, chills, and disorientation. Staph infections in bones which also cause fever and chills accompanied by pain in the infected area.
It is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses (boils), furuncles, and cellulitis. Although most staph infections are not serious, S. aureus can cause serious infections such as bloodstream infections, pneumonia, or bone and joint infections.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Staph bacteria are usually harmless, but they can cause serious infections that can lead to sepsis or death. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a cause of staph infection that is difficult to treat because of resistance to some antibiotics.
Invasive staph infections, such as sepsis (also called septicemia), endocarditis, and pneumonia, typically cause significant illness that may include fever, fast breathing or shortness of breath, fatigue, and sometimes confusion or disorientation.
Usually, staph bacteria don't cause any harm. However,if they get inside the body they can cause an infection. When common antibiotics don't kill the staph bacteria, it means the bacteria have become resistant to those antibiotics. This type of staph is called MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
If the sore becomes unusually painful or red, get prompt medical attention. If red lines develop, that's a sign the infection is spreading and needs immediate medical attention.
Staphylococcal brain infections may cause mental deterioration and epileptic seizures, suggesting interference with normal neurotransmission in the brain.
Staph aureus that is resistant to the antibiotic methicillin is called methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). People often refer to MRSA as 'golden staph' because the infected pus is yellow/gold in colour.
Remember, if you have MRSA it is possible to spread it to family, friends, other people close to you, and even to pets. Washing your hands and preventing others from coming in contact with your infections are the best ways to avoid spreading MRSA.