Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Staph Skin Infection
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus or staph) bacteria can commonly be found in the nose and on the skin of healthy people. When staph is present on or in the body without causing illness, it is called colonization. Because staph is so often present on skin, it is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections. Over time, 20% of the population will almost always be colonized with S. aureus, 60% of the population will be colonized with S. aureus off and on, and another 20% are almost never colonized.
Cause
Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
Symptoms
Local redness and warmth of the infected area with or without pus. Examples of localized infections are boils, impetigo, wound infections, and infections of hair follicles (folliculitis). Such infections can result in a pustule (bump on the skin filled with pus) that can become reddened, hard, and painful. Most infections are uncomplicated, but the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and other body sites and cause severe illness.
Spread
By contact with hands, skin drainage, or secretions from the nose of a person who is infected or colonized.
Incubation
Variable. A long delay may occur between colonization with staph and when the symptoms of infection begin.
Contagious Period
As long as infection or colonization lasts. Persons who have draining infections are shedding more bacteria and are more infectious than persons who are only colonized.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: If draining sores are present and cannot be completely covered and contained with a clean, dry bandage or if the person cannot maintain good personal hygiene.
Children who are only colonized do not need to be excluded.
Activities: Children with draining sores should not participate in activities where skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur until their sores are healed. This means no contact sports.
Treatment
Children with skin infections need to be referred to a licensed healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. Child care/school personnel should notify parents/guardians when possible skin infections are detected.
Some strains of staph have developed resistance to some antibiotics. Such strains are known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or “MRSA.” (See MRSA fact sheet)
Prevention/Control
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after touching body secretions or skin drainage of an infected or colonized person.
- Wear disposable medical gloves when touching any draining sores or changing bandages.
- Have persons who are prone to staph skin infections do self-care, if age appropriate. They should take care to keep their skin clean and dry and do first aid care when an injury (cut, scrape, etc.) occurs.
- Keep wounds clean and covered with a bandage.
- Dispose of bandages in a plastic bag immediately to prevent contamination of surfaces. Close the plastic bag and dispose in the trash.
- DO NOT allow sharing of personal items such as towels, washcloths, bar soap, combs, razors, or clothing.
- Wash bedding (linens) separately from other laundry in hot water with detergent. Dry bedding in a hot dryer.
- Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces or objects daily or when soiled.
- Food handlers with open sores should wear waterproof disposable gloves and wash their hands routinely.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Staph Infection Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Staph Infection
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus or staph) bacteria are the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections.
If you think your child has a Staph Infection:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
Child Care and School:
Yes, if draining sores cannot be completely covered and contained with a clean, dry bandage.No, if child is only colonized.
Activities:
Avoid activities where skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur until sores are healed. This means no contact sports.
Symptoms
Your child may have infected areas that are red and warm with or without pus. Examples are boils, impetigo, wound infections, and infections of hair follicles. Sometimes the staph bacteria can get into the bloodstream and other body sites and cause severe illness.
Your child may have staph bacteria “colonized” in the nose or on skin. This means that the bacteria may be there but it does not cause infection or harm.
If your child is infected, the time it will take for symptoms to start will vary by type of infection.
Spread
- By touching contaminated hands, skin drainage, pus, or secretions from the nose.
Contagious Period
As long as the infection or colonization is present. A child who has draining infections has more bacteria and is more contagious than a child who is only colonized.
Call your Healthcare Provider
- If anyone in your home has symptoms. Your doctor will decide what treatment is needed.
Prevention
- Wear disposable gloves when changing bandages. Wash hands after you touch any draining sores or change bandages. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Keep wounds clean, dry, and covered with a bandage. Put used bandages in a plastic bag, close the plastic bag, and put it in the trash.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as washcloths, bar soap, combs, razors, or clothing.
- If possible, people with staph infections should do their own first aid on cuts/scrapes. This prevents spread to others.
- Keep contaminated laundry separate from other laundry. Wash clothes, bed sheets, and blankets in hot water with detergent and dry in a hot dryer.
- Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces or objects. Use a disinfectant that kills Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.