Regardless of what some people might like to believe, there really is bacteria everywhere. Even the cleanest, most spotless, most sterilized location in the planet has at least one bacterial agent. The same is true for the human body, which plays host to an impressive range of bacteria. For the most part, these agents are either harmless or actually beneficial to the functions of the body. The beneficial ones shouldn't give anyone any real reason to worry, but the harmless ones can occasionally make the shift to being harmful. Among these harmless agents is Staphylococcus aureus, the bacteria that causes staph infections. For most people, the worst thing that staph can do to the body would be to cause some minor skin irritations. However, there will be problems if the bacteria make their way into the body, getting into the bloodstream and internal organs.

Staph infections can cause a number of signs and symptoms, depending on where the bacteria has become most prominent in the body. If the infection is most prominent on the skin, then the symptoms can manifest as any number of skin problems. Boils are common, as well as impetigo and cellulitis. The former is a painful rash that commonly appears among infected children and infants. Cellulities, on the other hand, is a condition that leaves the skin tender and inflamed. Regardless of the end result of the infection, there are a few common symptoms that indicate that the problem is caused by staph infections. Warmth, excessive tenderness, swelling, and redness are among the more common signs of staph bacteria being present and prevalent on the skin.

Toxic shock syndrome is also a possible sign of staph infections, though the two are not always linked together. Toxic shock syndrome is a potentially fatal condition that is known to manifest more readily if staph bacteria are prevalent. There are other factors which can increase the risk of someone developing TSS. The syndrome has been linked to some types of tampons, wounds caused by surgical incisions, and any open wound on the skin. The syndrome develops rapidly, usually causing nausea, vomiting, high fever, and the formation of rashes on the palms and soles. These rashes tend to resemble sunburns to the naked eye. Confusion, headaches, muscle spasms, and nausea are also common signs of someone having toxic shock syndrome.

The key to preventing staph infections is to cover any open wounds and sterilize the area around them. This is a preventive measure designed to limit or eliminate the bacteria that is coming into the body. It can also help reduce the number of bacteria that is moved towards the infected wound, especially if it is washed out properly with soap and warm water. The wound must be covered until it is completely healed to block bacterial infection. Note that pus fluid from infected sores also contains the bacteria, so contact between the fluid and any open wounds should be prevented to avoid staph infections. In regards to surgical wounds, modern hospitals adhere to a standard of cleanliness that ensures that all operating facilities are sterilized, as well as all surgical equipment. Frequently changing tampons can help reduce the risk of getting toxic shock syndrome.