What Is a Staph Infection?
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Bacteria are all around us. They are on the surfaces we touch, on our skin, and even in the food that we eat. Despite this, we are usually kept safe by our immune system, and with help from modern medicine and hygiene standards. Still, we are not completely safe, and we can sometimes pick up infections.
There are countless different types of bacteria, and they can affect us in different ways. Some are quite harmless, and some have the potential to take our lives. Among the most common types we are likely to encounter is known as staph. Although common, staph infections are usually not serious, although we should not treat them with complacency.
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1. Causes
A staph infection is caused by bacteria in the group known as Staphylococcus. In most cases, it is Staphylococcus aureus specifically that is responsible. The bacterium is very common but it will not usually cause problems for us. When we do get an infection, it will likely be from bacteria that have been in or on your body for some time.
Staphylococcus is a tough type of bacterium that can survive for a relatively long time on various objects. This makes transmission more likely as the bacteria are more likely to still be alive when we come into contact with them. The bacteria will also sometimes be transmitted from person to person.
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