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“We are colonized with strains of bacteria all over our bodies because bacteria inhabit the world in which we live,” says Stephen Zinner, M.D., Chair, Department of Medicine at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. “We touch objects all around us and transfer bacteria to and from ourselves and other people all the time.” Colonization is a state of living with bacteria attached to the skin or mucous membrane in the nose or mouth.

Bacteria are part of a person’s normal flora. “Human beings are not sterile. Our world is loaded with microorganisms. We have them in our mouths, noses and guts and on our skin. When we touch the phone, a pencil, a coin or another person, we transfer those organisms,” says Dr. Zinner.

One of these organisms, known as Staphylococcus aureus, may cause infections and many are resistant to antibiotics. After injury (e.g. a puncture wound) or irritation, the bacteria can enter through the skin and can multiply locally and cause a boil or abscess.

The most common staph infections involve the skin and surrounding tissue. “These can start as pimples or pustules and can spread deeper to become larger soft tissue or subcutaneous abscesses,” says Dr. Zinner. In some cases, the infection can go as deep as the muscle tissues. If left untreated, these boils may leak or rupture inwards, allowing bacteria to enter the blood stream and cause serious illness and in rare cases, death.

According to Dr. Zinner these infections most often present as pimples, pustules (pus-filled pimples), furuncles (infected hair follicles), carbuncles (skin inflammation with a draining yellow discharge) and abscesses. They are usually painful and tender to the touch. They may start as “whiteheads” and can grow to be as large as golf balls or even larger. These infections may or may not cause fever.

Staph infections have been around for centuries. “Historically, these abscesses were very common and of course, occurred before antibiotics were discovered,” says Dr. Zinner. “When penicillin was first developed about 60 years ago, Staphylococcus aureus was susceptible to it but within a few years, the organisms became resistant to penicillin.” A few years later, the bacteria also became resistant to many other antibiotics including methicillin.

Today, most staph infections are caused by MRSA strains – methicillin-resistant Staph aureus. Although MRSA can be transmitted within healthcare facilities, a relatively new, community-associated strain is now frequently causing infections in people in the community who have no contact with hospitals or other healthcare facilities. Those at risk for this kind of staph infection include children, wrestlers, football players and other athletes, as well as men who have sex with men and those who share gym towels. It has also been found in prisons where people share close quarters.

Although it is a common reaction, people should not squeeze or try to pop these pimples or other sores on their own. Instead, staph infections should be treated promptly by physicians. “The good news is that we still have about three or four types of antibiotics that are active against these bacteria,” says Dr. Zinner. Other treatment includes minimally invasive outpatient surgery to incise and drain the infection.

Dr. Zinner is committed to not only treating these infections but stopping their transmission as well. “Prevention includes hygienic measures such as not sharing towels, razors or personal equipment, as well as adequately covering skin infections and receiving prompt wound treatment,” he says.

Mount Auburn Hospital is very active in the treatment of staph infections. “If treated early, almost every patient is curable,” says Dr. Zinner.

For a free Mount Auburn Hospital physician directory, please call us at 617-499-5094.