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US doctors removed a part of a man’s skull three times to save him from staph infection. 22-year-old Brandon Alexander of New York had developed staph infection which had gotten into his blood and heart causing blood poisoning and pneumonia. Brandon says he cheated death three times.
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The staph infection was caused in Brandon’s skull by fluid that was building up after a drain was fitted in an earlier and created a blockage. But doctors successfully saved him after removing part of his skull three times.
Now what is this staph infection and why is it so serious that a part of the skull had to be removed? To understand about staph infection, OnlyMyHealth team got in touch with Dr Kirti Sabnis, Infectious Disease Specialist, Fortis Hospital, Mumbai.
What Is Staph Infection?
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Staph infection is a type of skin infection caused by a bacteria called Staphylococcal. Dr Sabnis said, “This bacteria is very commonly found on human skin and is usually harmless. Its most common pathogen found on human skin is Staphylococcus aureus.”
Now this harmless bacteria that can be present on your skin and my skin too, does not cause any serious harm as per Dr Sabnis, until it colonises and becomes recurrent causing skin infections again and again. If it enters a wound or cut, it can cause an infection.
Explaining further, Dr Sabnis said, “Generally the harmless Staphylococcus aureus is removed from your skin through soap or scrub but when the bacteria becomes resistant to many antibiotics, it causes Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection.”
The resistant bacteria is very difficult to remove. It can spread into your blood, bones, tissues and can also affect your heart and brain.
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Who is at the risk of this infection?
Now being a common skin bacteria, it is already there on your skin, but when does it become harmful? To this Dr Sabnis said, “Generally, our immunity keeps this bateria under check. If immunity is compromised, this bacteria makes its way to create an infection and can cause complications.”
People at risk:
1. People with weak immune system
2. Diabetes patients
3. People under drugs like steroids, chemotherapy
4. Intravenous drug users
5. People who are in hospital for a long time
According to Dr Sabnis, this infection is not very prevalent in India. It is common in Canada, Europe and the United States.
Also read: Clear To Cloudy Urine: Know What The Colour Of Your Urine Means
How dangerous can it get?
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This tiny bacteria, which resides on your skin does absolutely no harm to you if you are a healthy person. But once infected, it gets difficult to remove it.
“Staph infection has a tendency to spread faster. It is common in nursing homes and old aged people are more likely to get infected. The antibiotic resistant bacteria usually starts on your skin but if not treated well, it can cause infection to other parts of the body like bones, heart and even brain. It can make people stay in hospital for long. If it spreads to blood, it can also be life threatening,” said Dr Sabnis while explaining the consequences of the infection.
Prevention
Dr Sabnis emphasised on controlling underlying conditions, majorly diabetes as diabetic are more prone to such infections. Keeping a check on your immunity can highly benefit you and keep staph infection away. Even if the infection gets hold of you, go see your doctor and follow the instructions, it is curable.