These bacteria commonly inhabit the skin and nose where they are innocuous, but may enter the body through cuts or abrasions which may be nearly invisible.

However, many strains of this bacterium have become antibiotic resistant; for those with these kinds of infection, the body's own immune system is the only defense against the disease.

Any S. aureus infection can cause the staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, a cutaneous reaction to exotoxin absorbed into the bloodstream.

A few common skin infections caused by staph bacteria are: In the microbiology lab, Staphylococcus is mainly suspected when seeing Gram-positive cocci in clusters.

According to the CDC,[10] after a push from hospitals to better prevent staph infections, the percentage of people affected has dropped dramatically.