Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium commonly found on the skin and in the nose of about 30% of individuals. Most of the time, staph does not cause any harm. These infections can look like pimples, boils, or other skin conditions and most are able to be treated.
Sometimes staph bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause serious infections which can be fatal, including:
- Bacteremia or sepsis when bacteria spread to the bloodstream usually as a result of using catheters or having surgery.
- Pneumonia which predominantly affects people with underlying lung disease including those on mechanical ventilators.
- Endocarditis (infection of the heart valves) which can lead to heart failure.
- Osteomyelitis (bone infection) which can be caused by staph bacteria traveling in the bloodstream or put there by direct contact such as following trauma (puncture wound of foot or intravenous (IV) drug abuse).