Staph aureus - Overview

A most dangerous germ

• Staph, "staphyolcoccus"
  • Coccus, "round, sphere-shape"
• Aureus, "golden yellow color"

Staph aureus

• often cause
  • skin infections
  • abscesses (zits, pustules)
• can cause
  • pneumonia
  • bone infections
  • heart valve infections

Staphylococcus aureus is present

• Nose, sinus
  • 30% of healthy adults
  • usually temporarily
• Skin
  • 20% of healthy adults
• Higher percentages in
  
  • Hospital workers
  • Hospital patients
• Bloodstream
  • Any site in the body, e.g.
    • surgical infections
    • kidneys, nephritits
    • bones, osteomyelitis
    • heart valves, endocarditis
• Implants, devices
  • mesh surgery
    • hernia repair
  • pacemakers
  • catheters
    • bladder infections
    • kidney infections
    • urine infections
    • UTI
  • ventilation
    • general anesthesia
    • secondary infections
      • Covid-19
      • surgery

--- Reference, Further Reading

Merck Manual,
for the Consumer
Staphylococcus aureus