How to Avoid Getting a Staph Infection

Staphylococcus (staph) is a bacteria that exists everywhere. It usually causes no problems other than boils. But boils can progress into a generalized lethal infection, septicemia. Over time, staph became resistant to penicillin and other antibiotics, so it's best to prevent infection rather than treat it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Use good hand washing technique with soap and water. Any soap will suffice. Hands should be washed after using bathroom facilities or coming in extended contact with any surfaces exposed to heavy public use.
2. Wear some form of foot covering in public showers.
3. Avoid sharing personal hygiene implements such as razors, towels, hair brushes or combs.
4. Keep small cuts, scrapes or wounds covered with a clean band-aid and a thin layer of an antibiotic cream.
5. Keep all athletic clothes and equipment as clean as possible and avoid sharing them with others. Shower and wash with soap and water after each workout or athletic event. Work with your training and coaching staff to keep workout facilities disinfected, particularly those areas, like wrestling mats, that frequently contact the skin.
6. Do not ignore any wound that take long to heal or that fester and exude pus. These wounds may be infected with an antibiotic resistant staph.