Although staph infections are not viral in nature (they are caused by bacteria), they are still contagious and can cause a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from mild to life-threatening. In most cases, staph bacteria will affect the skin and produce a red bump (or cluster of red bumps) that is similar in appearance to a spider bite. More serious cases can lead to complications such as pneumonia or bloodstream infections.

There are only a few different types of Staphylococcus bacteria known to cause infections in humans. Four of them include:

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), the most common type of staph infection
Staphylococcus saprophyticus, a common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in young adult women
Staphylococcus epidermidis, an important cause of infections in the hospital
Staphylococcus lugdunensis, infections that can range from minor to life-threatening.

Some Staphylococcus bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA for short, is a type of Staphylococcus that is resistant to antibiotics called beta-lactams.

(Click Staph Infection to learn more about this topic, including additional signs and symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, and more.)

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

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