Staphylococcus aureus infections in adolescents.

Staphylococcus aureus infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Over the past decade, community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus has emerged as an adolescent pathogen with disease ranging from mild skin and soft tissue infections to severe sepsis syndrome. Various conditions and behaviors common to adolescents render them more susceptible to staphylococcal infections. This review focuses on the problem of S. aureus in the adolescent population, including an outline on the approach, treatment, and prevention of these infections.