Angela Onwuzoo
The National Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme, Dr Chukwuma Anyaike says it is untrue that staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that can cause infection in humans is only associated with private parts.
He said staphylococcus could also be found on normal human skin and could be acquired in hospitals through contaminated objects.
The public health physician disclosed that there is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding the transmission of Staphylococcus.
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology says
staphylococcus is a type of bacteria found on human skin, in the nose, armpit, groin, and other areas.
The body noted that staphylococcus is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections, such as abscesses, boils, furuncles, and cellulitis (red, swollen, painful, warm skin).
“Staphylococcus aureus germs can also cause more serious infections, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers and heart valves), and bone and joint infections.
“It is spread by touching infected blood or body fluids, most often by contaminated hands”, the association said.
Speaking in an interview with PUNCH Healthwise, Anyaike said everybody is at risk of Staphylococcus.
He said “Some people believe it is an infection that is only associated with the private parts. But it is not. People can get staphylococcus in the hospital through contaminated objects. Sometimes, staphylococcus comes as a contaminant in laboratory procedures.
“Staphylococcus can be found on normal skin, sometimes, that is why it comes as a contaminant.”
The public health physician said although staphylococcus is sometimes misdiagnosed, it can cause infection when it gets to the wrong place including the private parts.
According to him, staphylococcus is not supposed to be found in the vagina or urethra, warning that staphylococcus is a stubborn organism and has become resistant to common antibiotics.
The NTBLCP boss urged people to improve their hygiene and avoid multiple sex partners, warning that sometimes, people get infected with staphylococcus without knowing the source.
On why staphylococcus is also a sexually transmitted infection, the public health expert explained, “Staphylococcus is not supposed to be in the vagina or urinary tract. So, once it enters there, it is in the wrong place and can be sexually transmitted just like other organisms like ecoli.
“Ecoli is not supposed to be in the vagina or the male private part. If staphylococcus is in the wrong place, it will start growing and give symptoms that will make you very uncomfortable.
“So, what do we mean by sexually transmitted? Because it has entered the wrong place and if you have sex with a man because it is during the sexual act that the man will collect it from you, the man picks it and he has sex with another woman and introduces it to her. So, that is why it is sexually transmitted.
“A lot of things can be sexually transmitted. When an organism is in the wrong place (private part), it becomes sexually transmitted.
Anyaike noted that when an infection is sexually transmitted, it means that the channel of transmission is through sexual acts.
“When you carry an organism into another place that is not supposed to be through sexual acts, it becomes sexually transmitted.
“So, staphylococcus can be sexually transmitted. It is not a normal organism in the vagina. You can see it on the skin. It is also a normal contaminant in the laboratory. Even during foreplay, staphylococcus can be introduced into the vagina. So, your hygiene must be high and you must be decent.
“Ordinarily, staphylococcus is not supposed to be found in the vagina of a woman and the urethra of a man because it is in the wrong place and if it is in the wrong place it can come up with itching, and a burning sensation”, he said.
Anyaike counselled people diagnosed with the infection to adhere to their medications as recommended by their physicians to avoid the organism becoming resistant to drugs.
The United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says staphylococcus aureus is a germ found on people’s skin.
CDC states that staphylococcus can cause serious infections if it gets into the blood and can lead to sepsis or death.
“People are at higher risk for staph infection when they have surgery or stay in healthcare facilities, have medical devices in their body, inject drugs, or when they come in close contact with someone who has staph”, the CDC added.
Researchers in an article published by the American Society for Microbiology say staphylococcus is a major human pathogen that causes a wide range of clinical infections.
They said the HIV-infected population has a significantly increased incidence of Staphylococcus.
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