Final answer:
The type of staph infection that is highly resistant to antibiotics is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is known for causing serious bacterial infections and its resistance to many antibiotics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of staph infection that is highly resistant to antibiotics is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This strain of Staphylococcus aureus can cause a variety of serious bacterial infections and is notorious for its resistance to many commonly used antibiotics, including methicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin, and oxacillin. Since its first case was detected in 1961, MRSA has emerged as a serious infectious disease concern because it has the potential to transfer methicillin-resistance to other bacteria, patients might not be treated with the correct antibiotics rapidly enough to prevent serious illness, and MRSA could acquire additional antibiotic resistance genes from other bacteria to become a so-called "super bug" (all of the above).
Over the years, the imprudent use of antibiotics has allowed the expansion of resistant bacterial populations. MRSA infections have been common in healthcare facilities but are also found among healthy individuals in densely populated settings like military bases and prisons. It can cause infections of the skin, bloodstream, lungs, urinary tract, or at injury sites. Therefore, antibiotic sensitivity is measured to identify the most suitable treatment, with initial treatments often being antibiotics known to be effective against MRSA, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ), clindamycin, tetracycline, or linezolid. Identifying and treating MRSA promptly is crucial, making awareness and understanding of this infection important for both healthcare providers and the public.