Staph infection is caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It causes only minor infection in throats or irritates skin surface and this is not harmful. But once it penetrates into bloodstream, respiratory tract, or nervous system the damages caused by this is very severe and becomes very dangerous. Like all the other bacterial infection this staph infection also has varying symptoms depending on the location where it affects and the severity level. It may result in food poisoning, endocarditis which is nothing but an inflamed heart lining, and also pneumonia. The severity of these problems is mainly dependant on the way the bacteria has affected the person.

This staph infection mainly causes skin infection at the initial stage and this bacteria is responsible for most of the skin problems like boils, kind of rash called impetigo seen mostly in infants, scalded skin syndrome that affects newborns and it is one of the dangerous problem causes threat to life, and cellulitis which makes the skin inflamed and tender. All these symptoms have unique nature while developing but the initial stage of all these symptoms are redness in skin and swelling.

This infection could be easily identified through the symptoms of food poisoning and those symptoms include frequent diarrhea, vomiting, cramps in abdomen, and nausea. All these symptoms are evident to the person who consumed contaminated food within two hours and this is not a serious issue as it is recoverable in less time. But in the case of children or old age people it takes time to recover completely.

The only problem in this infection is that they develop more resistant to antibiotics and makes it very difficult to recover once it penetrates deep into the body. Also it affects mostly the people who are in bed because of some problem as their immune system may be weak. So it is easier for these bacteria’s to penetrate further and to cause serious effects. But nowadays this Staphylococcus bacterium is resistant to high level of antibiotics and hence affects people who are with good healthier immune system.

As already mentioned this staph infections effects are ranging from minor problems such as boils, rashes to life threatening diseases like pneumonia, meningitis, septicemia, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis. There are various types of infections caused by this Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and that includes:

Furuncles:
Furuncles, small sized skin boils, occurs as the hair follicles get bruised. These Staphylococcus aureus bacteria enter into the body’s tissue using the bruised skin boil as the medium. After entering into the body and settles in the boils it causes pus, dead cells and tissues to store in the same. This causes more pain and looks very pathetic if not taken care properly at the initial stage.

Carbuncles:
This is nothing but huge boils caused as the accumulation of small boils in one single place and looks very rigorous with full of pus. The treatment methods are same for this kind of carbuncles and furuncles but it is avoidable if furuncles are treated properly. Also while treating this carbuncle the pain is huge as that of its boils.

Impetigo:
This is another kind of staph infection which is seen mostly among the small children. The symptoms of this infection are red patches on the arms and face and as the days move on it will form a crusty layer in the color of honey, if not treated properly at the initial stage. But the worst part of this infection is that it affects children of ages below 6 and as they can’t show the symptoms at the time of occurrence it becomes severe. So many children are affected by this infection at their young ages.

Cellulitis:
In this infection also the skin around legs, arms and feet becomes swollen and reddish. At the initial stage is this infection is not serious but if not treated properly and if it penetrates into bloodstream then the resulting causes are very severe. In some cases it may become life threatening.

Meningitis:
This type of infection is very dangerous as the bacteria affect the meninges, a fluid membrane which is seen surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Hence if not treated properly at the initial stage it will lead to very serious problem and even risks the person’s life.

Osteomyelitis:
This is also due to the same bacteria which infects the bones by penetrating deep into the body through the tissues and bloodstream by any external wounds. This results in weakening of bone and causes severe damage to the bones.

Endocarditis:
This is the very serious kind of infection caused due to staph bacteria as it affects the endocardium membrane in the heart valves. This infection is not seen among people who are healthier but it is seen only among those people who already have undergone treatment for disease near heart valves.

As the effects caused by this bacteria infection is very severe it is advised to treat at its initial stage and not to face serious problem after making it out of control.