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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffA variety of factors — ranging from the status of your immune system to the types of sports you play — can increase your risk of developing staph infections.
Current or recent hospitalization
Despite vigorous attempts to eradicate them, staph bacteria remain widespread in hospitals, where they attack the most vulnerable, including people with:
- Weakened immune systems
- Burns
- Surgical wounds
- Serious underlying health problems, such as diabetes
Invasive devices
Staph bacteria can travel along the medical tubing that connects the outside world with your internal organs. Examples include:
- Dialysis
- Urinary catheters
- Feeding tubes
- Breathing intubation
- Intravascular catheters
Contact sports
Staph bacteria can spread easily through cuts, abrasions and skin-to-skin contact. Amateur and professional athletes have spread staph infections by sharing razors, towels, uniforms or equipment.
- Moreillon P, et al. Staphylococcus aureus (including staphylococcal toxic shock). In. Mandell GL, et al. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/130084916-6/826085114/1259/1580.html#4-u1.0-B0-443-06643-4..50195-1_6326. Accessed April 2, 2009.
- Endocarditis. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/endo/endo_all.html. Accessed April 6, 2009.
- Staphylococcus aureus: Pathogenicity. In: Cohen J, et al. Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/130084916-6/826085114/1209/650.html. Accessed April 6, 2009.
- Archer GL. Staphylococcal infections. In: Goldman L. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/130655031-2/826443940/1492/1112.html#4-u1. Accessed April 8, 2009.
- Baddour LM. Cellulitis and erysipelas. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 8, 2009.
- Staphylococcal food poisoning. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/staphylococcus_food_g.htm. Accessed April 8, 2009.
- Fowler VC, et al. Complications of staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 8, 2009.
- Kirkland EB, et al. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and athletes. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2008;59:494.
- Young LS. Sepsis and septic shock. Merck Manual Home Edition. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec17/ch191/ch191c.html. Accessed April 8, 2009.
- Staphylococcus aureus (SA): Antibiotic resistance (general). National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih1/diseases/activities/activity5_vrsa-database.htm. Accessed April 9, 2009.
- Community-associated MRSA information for the public. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nciod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_public.html. Accessed April 9, 2009.
