health

Some species of staph bacteria are present on people’s skin all the time.
The more dangerous Staphylococcus aureus may come and go regularly
from people’s noses and skin. Skin infections caused by staph, such as
boils, are quite common. Many staph infections are minor and do not
require treatment; serious staph infections are less common. Overall, studies
have shown that staph bacteria exist on the skin or inside the nose of
about 20 to 30 percent of all healthy people in the United States. They can
remain there indefinitely without any medical problems. They exist less frequently
in the mouth; mammary glands; and intestinal, upper respiratory,
and urinary tracts. However, if a break in the skin occurs or the bacteria is
able to invade the body by other means, then serious health problems can
result when the body’s immune system cannot effectively counter them.
The immune system is especially vulnerable to such outbreaks in newborn
infants, breastfeeding women, and people with compromised immune
systems, surgical incisions, and serious diseases or illnesses.
Overall, the incidence of staph infections steadily increased during
the late 1990s and early 2000s in the United States and other developed
countries. Globally, if left untreated such infections, as a group, potentially
kill the majority of people afflicted. People more prone to staph infections
and serious symptoms are more apt to die from such infections.