adache, muscle aches, fever, nausea and fatigue. In rare cases the infection may spread and cause post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (kidney failure). A diagnosis will primarily be based on the appearance of the lesions on the skin but a culture can be taken from active lesions to test for the presence of streptococcus or staphylococcus (6,7). The occurrence of impetigo is worldwide. Children are most at risk for developing impetigo, particularly if they are exposed to poor hygienic conditions. Most outbreaks occur in areas like schools and day care centers. They may acquire impetigo through direct contact with an infected person or the bacteria will enter through a break in the skin caused by insect bites, animal bites or other trauma to the skin. Children who often have cuts and scrapes on their body are more vulnerable to impetigo. Household items like toys or cups probably do not play a major role in the transmission of the disease. Sometimes it develops out of the blue with no apparent source of infection. The incubation period from date of exposure to the first signs is commonly around four to ten days (8).If a person is though to have impetigo they should be taken to a doctor to confirm a diagnosis. In mild cases it can be treated by applying topical antibiotics like Polysporin to the lesion (3). This should be done by first by soaking a washcloth in a mixture of vinegar and water, then pressing the cloth for several minutes against the lesion to remove the crust. This should be done several times a day until a crust no longer is forming. Now the antibiotic ointment can be applied.For more severe cases the doctor can prescribe an oral antibiotic. Depending on the type of bacteria that caused the infection will determine the antibiotic used. Most S. aureus are penicillin resistant, but vancomycin and nafcillin are known to be affective against most strains (2). In the cases of staphylococcal impetigo flucloxacillin...
