Mercy's Dr. Jonathan Rich, D.O., Discusses Staph Infections and Their Treatment

Every year, more than 3 million people in the United States get a staph infection.

It's caused by a bacteria people are exposed to all the time, and while usually minor, the infection can become life-threatening if it ends up in the blood stream, bones or other organs.

According to Dr. Jonathan Rich, D.O., of Downtown Personal Physicians at Mercy, the staph bacteria can enter the body through a nick or cut in the skin. Under a microscope, it looks like a cluster of grapes, but on a patient, it can present itself in different ways, often resembling a rash, boil or blisters.

Anyone can get a staph infection, and there is one simple way to prevent it.

"Like with anything, good hygiene is going to get you very far. So, if you do get a cut, make sure you wash it with soap and water and keep it clean and covered until it heals, and oftentimes, you won't end up with this," Dr. Rich said.

Dr. Rich suggests seeing a primary care physician if someone thinks they may have a staph infection or notices anything unusual on their skin. The infection is usually treated with antibiotics.

To view Mercy’s Dr. Jonathan Rich’s interview regarding staph infections, click here.