Vancomycin non-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus

Infectious agent: :  Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium commonly found on the skin and in the nose of about 30% of individuals.

Description of illness:

Staphylococcal infections of the skin include pimples, boils, or other skin conditions and most are able to be treated by local drainage. When Staphlylococcal bacteria get into the bloodstream they can cause serious infections which can be fatal, including:

• Bacteremia or sepsis when bacteria spread to the bloodstream; this may be a result of using catheters or having surgery.
• Pneumonia (infection of the lung)
• 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).