What is Staphulococcus aureus?

It is a germ, often called Staph, which is normally found on the body in 20-30% of healthy people. Throughout our lives, all of us have this germ colonizing us at one time or another. It usually causes no illness, but occasionally can cause infections. These range from small sores on the skin, to boils (abscesses), to blood poisoning (infection of the bloodstream). Occasionally (less than 5% of the time), an infection develops after surgery. When infection occurs after surgery, the single biggest cause is S. aureus.

What can be done to prevent infection from S. aureus (Staph) after my surgery?

Medical professionals have known for many years that most Staph infections developing after surgery result from the same S. aureus that you, as a patient, normally carry prior to your operation. During the last year it was shown that getting rid of any Staph someone may be carrying could reduce the likelihood of a S. aureus infection after surgery by 50 to 70%. In order to provide our patients with the best possible surgical outcome, we are now screening all patients for S. aureus before any operation on their bones or when they are having a prosthetic device implanted. Those with a positive test will be treated with a nasal ointment (mupirocin) for 5 days to remove the Staph and lower the chance for infection.

What is used to treat S. aureus (Staph)?

When people carry this germ in their nose there is a treatment that is effective for removing it using a medicine called mupirocin. This medicine is spread inside your nose for five days. We will prescribe it for you, and tell you how to use it if you need this antibiotic.

What is the difference between infection and colonization?

Infection means that the germ is causing a problem or disease in your body with symptoms such as fever, redness/swelling and/or pus at the site of your infection.

Colonization means the germ has taken up residence in or on your body, and is not currently causing infection. If you are colonized with Staph, you have the potential to develop an infection from it after an operation.

How do you catch Staph?

Staph (S. aureus) is passed from person to person by contact with someone who is colonized with it. Anyone colonized with S. aureus typically has it in their nose and may have it on their hands or skin. Between 20% and 30% of healthy adults normally carry Staph in their nose, and because it is so common there is no possibility to avoid having it once and a while. What is important is to remove it just before surgery.