Staphylococcus, or more kindly known as staph infection is a group of different bacteria, of a similar type which is able to cause a whole lot of different illnesses. It affects different parts of the body in different ways, and these illnesses can range from mild: with no or very little treatment required, to very serious illnesses which require intensive treatment and can be potentially life threatening.

The word “Staphylococcus” is derived from the Greek language and a “staphyle’ means bunch of grapes, while “kokkos” means berry. Basically this described how this bacteria looks when you examine it under a microscope. Much like a bunch of grapes or small round berries appear.

For those of you with a more scientific bent, it is gram-positive, facultative anaerobic unencapsulated cocci. Don’t try to say that when you have had a few drinks. To understand these a little better we don’t need to know the scientific stuff.

What we do need to know however is that there are over 30 varieties of this bacteria, and 20% – 30% of healthy people walk around with this naturally occurring on their skin and inside their noses.

It also occurs on other parts of the body, but is more rare. Generally speaking they do not cause illness unless the skin is broken by an injury and they invade the site of the injury, multiplying and causing infection.

There are some of us who are more liable to get Staph infections, and this can be dangerous. Particularly for breastfeeding mothers, newborn babies, people with chronic illnesses, intravenous drug abusers, people who have undergone invasive surgery, and people with HIV or other illnesses which compromise the immune system. You do not have to fit into these categories however and anyone can get a Staph infection.

People with compromised immune systems, who have undergone surgery, are intravenous drug users are all at risk. But anyone is able to develop a staph infection.

Skin infections are the most common, the area affected is generally painful, red, swollen and pus is usually present. In breastfeeding women it can cause mastitis, which releases bacteria into the mothers’ milk. And when this bacteria gets into the bloodstream more serious illnesses can occur.

We’ve all wondered at one time, about How Do You Get Staph? If you think you might have it, get professional medical help right away.