Last Updated on August 23, 2021
What is Staphylococcus Aureus?
Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacterium that about 30% of people carry in their noses 
. Most of the time, staph does not cause any harm; however, sometimes staph causes infections. MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a certain strand of this bacteria that is resistant to several antibiotics.
In everyday life, S. aureus most often causes skin infections. In some cases, it causes pneumonia (lung infection) or endocarditis (infection of the heart valves). If left untreated, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and cause the severe condition known as sepsis.
Preventing the Spread of Staphylococcus Aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is usually spread by contact with infected people or things that are carrying the bacteria. This includes through contact with a contaminated wound or by sharing personal items, such as towels or razors, that have touched infected skin. Due to the fact that those who inject drugs are 16 times more likely to develop a serious staph infection, the opioid epidemic may also be connected to the rise of these infections.
According to the CDC , you can take these steps to reduce your risk of a staph infection:
- Maintain good hand and body hygiene. Clean hands often, and clean your body regularly, especially after exercise.
- Keep cuts, scrapes, and wounds clean and covered until healed.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as towels and razors.
- Get care early if you think you might have an infection.
Our products use STER-L-RAY® Germicidal UV-C Lamps producing ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of germicidal effectiveness most destructive to harmful microorganisms including S. aureus. Germicidal Ultraviolet (UV-C) surface disinfection will inactivate S. Aureus and MRSA bacteria at the dosages listed below.
Staphylococcus Aureus & MRSA: Classification & Germicidal UV Dose for Inactivation
| Organism: | Alternate Name: | Type: | Disease: | UV Dose*: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staphylococcus aureus | S. aureus | Bacteria | — | 6.60 mJ/cm2 |
| Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus | MRSA | Bacteria | — | 6.50 mJ/cm2 |
Who can it affect?
People
While anyone can develop a staph infection, the groups listed below are at higher risk.
Where is it found?
Contaminated
Personal Items
Infected Wounds
What can it infect?
Skin
Bloodstream
Lungs
How does it spread?
Contact with
Infected Skin
Sharing Contaminated Personal Items
People at High Risk for Contracting a Staph Infection
Anyone can develop a staph infection. Non-intact skin, such as when there are abrasions or incisions, is often the site of an infection. In healthcare facilities, the risk of more serious staph infection is higher because many patients have weakened immune systems or have undergone procedures. The following groups of people are at a higher risk due to either their physical condition, or their exposure to crowding, skin-to-skin contact, and shared equipment or supplies:
- People with chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, vascular disease, eczema, and lung disease
- Individuals receiving inpatient medical care / having surgery or medical devices inserted in their body
- People who inject drugs
- Athletes participating in high-contact sports
- Daycare and school students
- Military personnel in barracks
Symptoms of a Staphylococcus Aureus Infection
According to the CDC , the symptoms of a Staphylococcus aureus infection depend on the part of the body that is infected. In most cases, laboratory tests will be needed in order to determine if an infection is due to S. aureus or another type of bacteria.
Most Staphylococcus aureus skin infections, including MRSA, appear as a bump or infected area on the skin that might be:
- red
- swollen
- painful
- warm to the touch
- full of pus or other drainage
- accompanied by a fever
Sources on Staphylococcus Aureus & MRSA:
The above information can be found on the following pages. Please read complete articles to learn more.
* Nominal germicidal UV dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganism. See sources below.
- James E. Cruver, Ph.D., “Spotlight on Ultraviolet Disinfection”, Water Technology, June 1984.
- Dr. Robert W. Legan, “Alternative Disinfection Methods-A Comparison of UV and Ozone”, Industrial Water Engineering, Mar/Apr 1982.
- Rudolph Nagy, Research Report BL-R-6-1059-3023-1, Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
- Bak Srikanth, “The Basic Benefits of Ultraviolet Technology”, Water Conditioning & Purification, December 1995.
Learn More & Shop Our Products to Inactivate Staphylococcus Aureus
Made in the USA from U.S. and imported parts, the Air & Surface Disinfection product lines from Atlantic Ultraviolet Corporation® are constructed of the highest quality materials and use germicidal UV-C lamps to disinfect air, inactivating microorganisms like Staphylococcus aureus.
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- Download Ultraviolet Air & Surface Documents from our PDF Library
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View our Infographic on Staphylococcus Aureus / MRSA
