Staphylococcus aureus, or staph for short, is a common bacteria that is abundant in the environment and lives on the skin. When the immune system is weak, staph can cause serious infections that can have potentially life-threatening consequences. One strain of staph has mutated and become resistant to many antibiotics. Known as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), it is one of the most serious forms of staph infection. Learning prevent staph infections is the best way to protect yourself.
Instructions
1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. When choosing soap, look for ones that state they are antibacterial and kill both staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. However, any soap is better than none. When out in public, wash your hands with soap and water and use a paper towel to turn on water faucets. This will prevent you coming in contact with bacteria after washing your hands.
2. Wash all cuts, scrapes and wounds with antibacterial soap and water. Staph enters the body through openings in the skin, and something as small as a bug bite or scrape can provide easy entrance for staph. By frequently washing wounds with an antibacterial soap, you can prevent infection and reduce the likelihood of developing a staph or MRSA infection.
3. Cover all wounds with a bandage. This applies even to small or minuscule cuts and scrapes. Keeping your wounds covered protects bacteria from entering through them. Also, do not handle other people's bandages with your bare hands.
4. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizers fit easily into a pocket or purse and can be used when you are in places where it is inconvenient to wash your hands with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers kill staph and MRSA germs on contact, helping prevent infection.
5. Clean your home with a bleach and water solution. Bleach kills staph and MRSA on contact. Use bleach carefully and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Use bleach regularly in kitchens and bathrooms to disinfect and kill germs.
6. Spray your home with a disinfectant spray that specifically states that it kills both staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus. Spray your home regularly, as well as closets, children's toys and playthings and surface areas. Follow the instructions and use disinfectant spray accordingly.
Tags: soap water, staphylococcus aureus, your hands, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus, staph MRSA