Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a common yet highly resistant bacterium that is responsible for a broad range of infections including toxic shock syndrome, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, food poisoning, urinary tract infections, and many more.  Commonly referred to as “staph,” the bacteria can essentially infect any part of the human body with the severity of cases varying from mild to life threatening.  There are over 30 different types of Staphylococcus that can infect humans, but Staphylococcus aureus is the most common.  Anyone can develop a staph infection, though infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems due to pre-existing conditions are at a higher risk.

Skin infections are usually diagnosed by their appearance, but more serious infections are diagnosed using cultures.  The laboratory will also test to see which antibiotics will successfully treat the strain that is causing the infection.  There are no vaccines to prevent infections from Staphylococcus aureus, and some strains such as MRSA have become resistant to many common antibiotics.  Staphylococcus aureus bacteria may cause infection, as well as the toxins secreted by the bacteria, as in toxic shock syndrome.  Staphylococcus aureus infections can be treated by ointments, and oral or intravenous antibiotics, depending on the type of infection and its severity.

Staph infections may not be taken as seriously, unless you have dealt with them personally.  I came across many testimonials as I was reading up on Staphylococcus aureus.  Most of us hear about hospital patients getting them, but that’s not always the case.  Staphylococcus aureus is every where.  I had a nephew that got sick in early 2003.  He had never been in a hospital, besides when he was born.  Our family and friends all thought he “just” had the flu.  He passed away three days after his flu-like symptoms appeared.  His autopsy revealed an obviously serious staph infection in his intestines.  My father is a diabetic, and he has been suffering from osteomyelitis for three years.  He’s seen many different doctors and been on many different antibiotics but between the resistance of the staph, and his diabetic complications he can not get rid of the infection.  Amputation has been recommended, but because of the likelihood that the infection would return, my dad would rather keep his nasty foot.  Maybe one day they’ll start having walks to raise money to fight staph.

For more information, you can check out the following links.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/228816-overview

http://www.medicinenet.com/staph_infection/article.htm

Termites

Winged Termites

I remember seeing swarms of termites flying around at different times when I was growing up in Ohio.  I had always been told that they were termites, but all I knew for sure was that they looked like long ants with wings.  On a particularly day, I approached a swarm of termites as I was walking down the sidewalk near my grandma’s house.  Before I knew it, one had flew up my nose!  I had a burning sensation in my nose, and I knew it was in there.  I ran into my grandma’s house to grab tissue and try to blow it out.  I tried to blow it out to no avail.  Out of desperation, I tried to feel for it with my finger but I couldn’t find anything.  I started thinking that I was crazy and went back outside.  I rejoined my friend, and immediately started feeling the burning sensation again…and I’m pretty sure it was moving around in there.  So I held the opposite nostril shut and blew as hard as I could, and to my relief, it finally came out on the palm of my hand.  It was cover in mucus and took off flying again!!

After I did a little research, I found some photographs that confirmed in was in fact a winged termite.  I also learned that the winged termites are referred to as “Swarmers” or “Reproductives.”  The termites swarm out of the colony in search of a place to start a new colony of their own.  Once a male and a female mate, they will shed their wings.  While termites can be a nightmare for property owners, they are a benefit to nature by aerating soil and breaking down organic matter, like fallen trees.  Ants are a termite’s number one enemy, because ants often forage termite colonies for food and compete with them for resources.  Termites react to pheromones emitted by fellow termites as well as predators.  In some species, soldier ants accompany foragers so that they may venture further away from the colony, and forage for longer periods of time.  The soldier ants in some species use their heads to plug holes in the colony, to prevent predators from entering, while solder ants in other species can spray a sticky liquid that incapacitates the predator.