Prevention of infections caused by staphylococcus aureus

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Dong Xuan Ha - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the staph bacteria that cause many infections in the community as well as in hospitals, some of which are very serious and can lead to death if not detected early and treated. timely. This bacterium is resistant to many commonly used antibiotics, especially methicillin, so it is very important to prevent infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

1. What is Staphylococci?

Staphylococcus aureus, scientifically known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is caused by a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to many of the antibiotics used to treat common staph infections.
Most of the infections caused by staphylococcus aureus usually happen to people who stay in the hospital for a long time or in other health care facilities such as nursing homes, dialysis centers,... In addition, bacterial infections Staphylococcus aureus also occurs in association with invasive procedures or devices such as surgery, intravenous tubing, or artificial joints.
In addition to nosocomial infections, Staphylococcus aureus causes infections in the community, often starting as a painful skin boil that is then spread by skin-to-skin contact. Subjects susceptible to staphylococcal infection in the community include people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, and people living in cramped, crowded and unsanitary environments.
Among the infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, bacteremia and endocarditis are very serious diseases. These two diseases are often related to each other, have very severe and complicated clinical course, accounting for about 30-40% of cases. These are acute, severe illnesses that can be fatal; The most serious is sepsis, which causes high mortality due to multi-organ failure, if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Staphylococcus aureus is known as the reigning champion of antibiotic resistance, so they are difficult to treat and can sometimes be life-threatening.

2. Causes of Staphylococcus aureus infection

Staphylococcal bacteria are commonly found on the skin or in the nose of about a third of the population. The bacteria are generally harmless unless they enter the body through a cut or other wound, and even then they usually cause only minor skin problems in healthy people. On some special subjects such as immunocompromised, long-term hospital stay, staphylococcus aureus penetrates from the skin and inside the body, leading to infection in some organs, causing many consequences. and difficult to treat because Staphylococcus aureus is resistant to many antibiotics.
Many people carry staph bacteria and never get a staph infection. However, if you have a staph infection, there is a very high chance that the bacteria have been living in your body for a long time.
These bacteria can be passed from person to person. Because staph bacteria are so hardy, they can live on items like pillows or towels long enough to be passed on to the next person who touches them, and can survive in high-temperature environments, unharmed by salt. .

3. Prevention of infections caused by staphylococcus aureus

Prevention of Nosocomial Staphylococcal Infections In hospitals, people with staph infections are often given contact precautions to prevent the spread of staph. Family members and healthcare workers caring for patients in isolation may be required to wear protective clothing and must follow strict hand hygiene protocols. Absolute sterilization of medical instruments to destroy pathogenic microorganisms Clean hospital environment thoroughly. Prevention of community-acquired staphylococcus aureus Hand washing: Proper hand washing is one of the commonly used preventive measures against germs. Scrub hands quickly for at least 15 seconds, then dry with a disposable towel and use another towel to turn off the faucet. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer that contains at least 62 percent alcohol for times when you don't have access to soap and water. Cuts and abrasions should always be kept clean and covered with a dry, bandaged bandage until healed. Pus from an infected sore can contain Staphylococcus aureus, and covering the wound will help prevent the bacteria from spreading. After playing sports or doing physical exercises, it is necessary to take a clean bath, remember to use soap in the shower. Do not share towels. Wash clothes and bedding in hot water: Staph bacteria can live on clothes and bedding that are not washed properly. To get rid of the bacteria, you should wash with hot water whenever possible. In addition, you should use bleach that contains safe ingredients. Drying in a dryer is better than drying in the air, but this type of staph can survive in a clothes dryer. Avoid injecting drugs indiscriminately, not prescribed by a doctor: People who use intravenous drugs are at very high risk of many dangerous infections including staphylococcus aureus infections Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, bed linen, razors, clothing and sports equipment. Staph infections can be spread through objects, as well as from person to person; .To limit antibiotic resistance of bacteria in general and staphylococcus aureus in particular, do not buy antibiotics yourself for treatment without a doctor's prescription. For the team of medical examination and treatment doctors, it is necessary to strictly comply with the regulations on the rational use of antibiotics set out by the Ministry of Health. Good personal hygiene by bathing daily with clean water, especially chubby children with many interstitial folds and folds containing a lot of sweat and sebum. It is necessary to clean the throat and mouth daily by brushing teeth and gargling with salt water before going to bed and after waking up.

Every time you go out on the street, you should wear a mask to avoid breathing in dust. If you have respiratory infections, especially upper respiratory diseases (inflammation of the nose, throat, tonsillitis, sinuses), they should be treated definitively, they should not become chronic diseases. It is necessary to improve the body's resistance, especially for children because there is currently no specific vaccine to prevent diseases caused by staphylococcus bacteria. Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consulting services. and comprehensive, professional medical treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space. Medical instruments are disinfected, equipment of the clinic system and international standard inpatient room system are arranged at the hospital according to each specialized area.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.