Is Staphylococcus aureus an STD? Absolutely no! In this article you are going to uncover the true why Staphylococcus is not a sexually transmitted infection.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are diseases that are transmitable from persons to persons through sexual intercourse. The means of transmission is usually by vaginal, oral, or anal sex, sometimes they can be transmitted through other intimate physical contact. This is because some STDs, like herpes and HPV are spread by skin-to-skin or physical contact.

STDs are also infections transmitted through sexual contact or physical contact caused by a bacteria, viruses or parasites. Example of STD include: chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, HPV, pubic lice, syphilis, Trichomoniasis, etc     

STDs affect both men and women but in many cases women are more susceptible and thus, it can be more severe for women and even worst in a pregnant woman which can cause serious health problems for the baby.

SOME SYMPTOMS OF STDs INCLUDE

1. Discharge from the penis or vagina

2. Sores or warts on the genital area

3. Painful or frequent urination

4. Itching and redness in the genital area

5. Blisters or sores in or around the mouth

6. Abnormal vaginal odor

7. Anal itching, soreness, or bleeding

8. Abdominal pain

9. Fever

RECOMMENDED TREATMENT FOR INFECTIONS IN MEN AND WOMEN

• FOHOW PRODUCTS FOR WOMEN INFECTION
• FOHOW PRODUCTS FOR MEN INFECTION
• NORLAND PRODUCTS FOR FIBROID AND OVARIAN CYST

WHAT IS STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS?   

Staphylococcus aureus commonly abbreviated as S. aureus is one of the most important bacteria that causes disease in humans. It causes skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses (boils), furuncles, and cellulitis. Most times, staph infections are not very serious but can cause serious infections like bloodstream infections, pneumonia, or bone and joint infections.     

Staphylococcus aureus is seen as the most dangerous of all of the common staphylococcal bacteria. Staph is a gram-positive, sphere-shaped (coccal) bacteria that often cause skin infections but can cause also pneumonia, heart valve infections, and bone infections. Possession of a myraid of virulence factors is what makes S. aureus such a successful pathogen

Staphylococcus aureus can be seen in the nose of about 30% of healthy adults and on the skin of about 20%, the percentage is higher for adults patients in a hospital or who work there. The bacterium spreads from person to person by direct contact, through contaminated objects such as gym equipment, telephones, door knobs, television remote controls, or elevator buttons, or, less often, by inhalation of infected droplets dispersed by sneezing or coughing and not via sexual contact.

TYPES OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS INFECTIONS

Most infections caused by S. aureus are skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses or cellulitis.

a. Abscess: These are infections that are formed at the site of an injury that is usually filled with pus,the area around the abscess is usually red, painful,swollen and the skin surrounding the abscess is always warm to touch.     

b. Cellulitis: this is an  infection of the underlying layers of the skin resulting from a skin scrape or cut in the skin which allows bacteria to enter usually resulting from an injury.Cellulitis can occur anywhere in the body but it is more prominent on the legs or arms. It’s symptoms include: redness, swelling, and pain at the site of infection.   

c. S. aureus can also cause serious infections such as pnepneumonia l.e infection of the lungs,or bacteremia i.e bloodstream infection. However, the bacteria can travel through the bloodstream (called bacteremia) and infect almost any site in the body, particularly heart valves (endocarditis) and bones (osteomyelitis).

i. Bloodstream infections: When a catheter that is inserted in a vein has remained in place for a long time.

ii. Endocarditis: When people inject illegal drugs or have an artificial heart valve or when a catheter inserted in a vein is infected.

iii. Osteomyelitis: When Staphylococcus aureus spreads to the bone from an infection in the bloodstream or from an infection in nearby soft tissue, as may occur in people with deep pressure sores or foot sores due to diabetes.

iv. Lung infection (pneumonia): When people have had influenza (particularly) or a bloodstream infection, when people are taking corticosteroids or drugs that suppress the immune system immunosuppressants), or when they are hospitalized because they need tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation (called hospital-acquired pneumonia)            

SYMPTOMS OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS INFECTIONS    

1. Impetigo: It is a shallow fluid-filled blisters that ruptures, leaving honey-colored crusts which causes itching and usually painful.     

2. Abscesses:  These are boils or furuncles which are usually warm and painful resulting from the collection of pus  below the skin.

3. Cellulitis: It is an infection of skin and the tissue which spreads, causing pain and redness. 

4. Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: It causes scaleded skin syndrome in newborns which leads to large scale peeling of their skin.

5. Toxic Shock Syndrome: This condition is a life-threatening condition caused by some stains of staph bacteria, it is associated with tampons, surgery and skin wounds.Symptomps include: diarrhea, vomiting, muscles aches e.t.c

6. Septic Arthritis: This is a staph bacteria that oftens affect the knees,hips, shoulders and fingers.

PREVENTION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Below are the preventive measures is S. aurues that causes maximal elimination of the bacteria and they include:

1. Regular thorough washing of the hands with soap under running water and the use of alcohol based hand sanitizer

2. Application of mupirocin on people going for operations or on households in which skin infection is spreading

3. Keeping wounds covered by using a clean sterile bandages until wounds are properly healed.

4. Avoid the sharing of personal items like towels, razor, cloths, sports equipment

5. Washing of personal items with soap,hot water and sometimes bleach to completely eliminate staph bacteria completely.     

DIAGNOSIS OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

1. Perform a physical exam: Doctor will closely examine any skin lesions you may have during examinations.

2. A sample will be collected from the legion area or taking a tissue sample or nasal secretions for signs of the bacteria.     

TREATMENT OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

1. Use of Antibiotics:after a tests has been conducted to identify the staph bacteria behind ones infection, an antibiotic that will work best for that stain will be made available to the patient. Antibiotics commonly prescribed to eliminate staph infections include certain cephalosporins such as cefazolin; nafcillin or oxacillin; vancomycin; daptomycin (Cubicin); telavancin (Vibativ); or linezolid (Zyvox).     

Vancomycin  is required to treat serious staph infections because many strains of staph has become resistant to most  traditional medicines. But vancomycin and some other antibiotics have to be given intravenously.   

NOTE: If  an oral antibiotic is prescribed, it is wise the doses are taken accordingly as prescribed by the doctor.

2. Wound drainage would be carried out if  a skin infection is involved, the fluid will be drained by making an incision into the sore to drain out fluid.

3. Device removal:f your infection involves a device or prosthetic, prompt removal of the device is needed. For some devices, removal might require surgery.       

IS STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AN STD?

Conclusively, Staphylococcus aureus is not an STD but a bacterial found on the skin that causes skin infection, soft tissue infections like abscess and sometimes it can cause pneumonia. As mentioned earlier, STD is restricted to sexually transmitted infections and because Staphylococcus aureus is not transmitted sexually, it cannot be an STD.      

HOW IS STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS TRANSMITTED 

S. aureus can be transmitted in the following ways listed below;

1. S.  aureus is usually transmitted by direct or indirect contact with a person who has an infected discharging wound or infection of the respiratory tract  or urinary tract.

2. Staphylococcus aureus can be carried on the hands of healthcare personnel which can cause a major transmission between patients and staff of the health facility.

3. Through Contaminated surfaces and medical equipment are major sources of methycilin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA.)

4. Staph is spread by touching infected blood or body fluids by  contaminated hands.

5. Through contaminated hands is the most common way in which Staphylococcus aureus is transmitted.  NOTE: The skin and mucous membranes are  effective barrier against infection. But  if the barrier is breached (e.g., skin damage due to trauma or mucosal damage due to viral infection)

S. aureus may gain access to underlying tissues or the bloodstream and cause infection. Persons who are immunocompromised or who have invasive medical devices are particularly vulnerable to the infection