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How Long Does Staph Live on Surfaces?
What is a Staph Infection?
A staph infection is an accumulation of the staphylococcus bacteria. The staph bacteria can be found in the nose and on the skin of healthy individuals, but when staph enters your bloodstream through open sores or cuts in the skin, or through the urinary tract, staph infections can be dangerous. Staph infects can usually be treated with antibiotics, but in some cases, individuals with weakened immune systems may be hospitalized and could die.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
How Long Does Staph Live on Surfaces?
Should You Bandage Ringworm?
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Staphylococcus bacteria can be transferred to almost any surface that is touched. For example, if a person uses a towel on his face and there is staph bacteria in his nose, there will likely be staph bacteria on the towel. Staph bacteria will live for as little as a few hours, and as long as months on a surface that has been contaminated. Porous surfaces, like sponges or towels, harbor more staph bacteria for a longer amount of time than a flat, hard surface like a countertop 1. Surfaces that aren't cleaned regularly are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria like staph 1.
- Staphylococcus bacteria can be transferred to almost any surface that is touched.
- Staph bacteria will live for as little as a few hours, and as long as months on a surface that has been contaminated.
Ways to Prevent Staph Infections
Staph infections can be prevented by not touching surfaces that could be infected with staph 1. Avoid using public showers without flip-flops if you have a cut or open sore on your feet. Avoid using hand towels or sharing towels with someone if you have any cuts on your body. Keep any sores, cuts or wounds clean by keeping them covered. Not only will this help your cut heal faster and keep out bacteria, but it will keep a staph infection from spreading from your wound to someone else. Disinfect all surfaces in your home with antibacterial spray or wipes, and throw out cleaning and kitchen sponges after one month.
- Staph infections can be prevented by not touching surfaces that could be infected with staph 1 or sharing towels with someone if you have any cuts on your body.
Related Articles
References
- CDC.gov: Staph on Surfaces
- Health Tips: How Long Does Staph Stay on Surfaces?
- King JM, Kulhankova K, Stach CS, Vu BG, Salgado-pabón W. Phenotypes and Virulence among Staphylococcus aureus. USA100, USA200, USA300, USA400, and USA600 Clonal Lineages. mSphere. 2016;1(3). doi:10.1128/CMR.00134-14
- Cleveland Clinic. (September 2019). Staph Infection (Staphylococcus Infection)
- Tong SY, Davis JS, Eichenberger E, Holland TL, Fowler VG Jr. Staphylococcus aureus infections: epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2015 Jul;28(3):603-61. doi:10.1128/CMR.00134-14
- Sukumaran V, Senanayake S. Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections. Aust Prescr. 2016;39(5):159-163. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2016.058
- Bush L. (Modified June 2019). Merck Manual Consumer Version. Staphylococcus aureus Infections. (Staph Infections)
- De oliveira TH, Amorin AT, Rezende IS, et al. Sepsis induced by Staphylococcus aureus: participation of biomarkers in a murine model. Med Sci Monit. 2015;21:345-55. doi:10.12659/MSM.892528
- Harris A (Updated January 2019). Patient education: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (Beyond the Basics). Lowy FD, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Invasive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections Among Persons Who Inject Drugs. Six Sites, 2005–2016.
- Hassanzadeh P, Hassanzadeh Y, Mardaneh J, Rezai E, Motamedifar M. Isolation of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from HIV Patients Referring to HIV Referral Center, Shiraz, Iran, 2011-2012. Iran J Med Sci. 2015;40(6):526-30.
- Chu C, Wong MY, Tseng YH, et al. Vascular access infection by Staphylococcus aureus from removed dialysis accesses. Microbiologyopen. 2019;8(8):e00800. doi:10.1002/mbo3.800
- Tong SY, Davis JS, Eichenberger E, Holland TL, Fowler VG Jr. Staphylococcus aureus infections: epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2015 Jul;28(3):603-61. doi:10.1128/CMR.00134-14
- Romero-gómez MP, Cendejas-bueno E, García rodriguez J, Mingorance J. Impact of rapid diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia from positive blood cultures on patient management. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2017;36(12):2469-2473. doi:10.1007/s10096-017-3086-5
- Missiakas DM, Schneewind O. Growth and laboratory maintenance of Staphylococcus aureus. Curr Protoc Microbiol. 2013;Chapter 9:Unit 9C.1. doi: 10.1002/9780471729259.mc09c01s28
- Kobayashi SD, Malachowa N, Deleo FR. Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus abscesses. Am J Pathol. 2015;185(6):1518-27. doi:10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.11.030
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Deadly Staph Infections Still Threaten the U.S.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Staphylococcus aureus in Healthcare Settings.
Writer Bio
Megan Smith has been a freelance writer and editor since 2006. She writes about health, fitness, travel, beauty and grooming topics for various print and Internet publications. Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in writing from New York University.