Are we closer to death than we’d like to think? Life seems to be a matter of the statistical roll of the dice. But did you know that there are seemingly innocuous conditions and situations that can get you into deadly trouble?

Can a pus-filled boil be a sign of something toxic circulating through your body? What about a simple infection as a urinary tract infection or Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)? Can they take you to the grave? What about a lonely drive in the country? In some cases, yes, indeed.

1. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). This bacteria causes various illnesses such as boils, cellulitis, pneumonia, blood poisoning and Toxic Shock Syndrome. Cellulitis, in this case, isn’t unsightly fat deposits on thighs; it is a non-contagious spreading bacterial infection of the skin and the tissues below it.

Groups vulnerable to a staph infection are newborns, people with chronic conditions such as cancer, vascular disease, lung disease, dialysis and surgical patients, and breastfeeding women.

Symptoms of a staph infection typically start as a localized skin infection. It usually is a pustule with tenderness and redness around the swollen area. Staph-related illnesses range from mild, requiring no treatment, to death.

We now introduce MRSA, methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Methicillin and any other antibiotics in that class, including penicillin, are not effective against this particular staph strain. This, in medical parlance, is a “superbug.” MRSA is also known as a health care-associated infection (HAI) because so many cases have been associated with hospitals, nursing homes and other health-care facilities. In 2012, the number of MRSA cases topped 75,000.  


MRSA is also found in the community. Two in 100 carry the MRSA bacteria, and staph is found in the noses of 33 percent of the general population. Most don’t experience any symptoms. But get a MRSA infection, which is very difficult to treat, and you better start praying that the antibiotic they use works. Untreated MRSA infections could lead to pneumonia, blood poisoning and death.

2. Thinking about taking a nice, relaxing drive in the country? Well, you stand a greater chance of getting into a fatal accident on rural roads than in the city. Nineteen percent of Americans live in rural areas, but rural road fatalities account for 54 percent of all road fatalities. According to 2012 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, there were almost 31,000 fatal crashes with 33,500 fatalities.

Speeding-related crashes in rural areas accounted for 31 percent of fatalities but that number jumps to 54 percent when night driving is considered.

Alcohol also comes into play. In rural areas, 56 percent of all drivers involved in fatal accidents were found to be impaired as compared to 50 percent of city dwellers.

Nearly two-thirds of pick-up truck occupants were not wearing their seat belts – the highest percentage of any passenger death rates among both rural and urban roads.

3. Urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI is an infection of the bladder, kidneys, ureters and urethra. About 50 percent of women will have one UTI in their lives. UTIs are the fourth most common HAIs in the U.S., often because of catheter use. In 2012, there were 54,500 catheter infections in hospitals, critical care units and inpatient wards. This is the leading cause of secondary bloodstream infection, a possibly fatal condition. If the infection reaches the kidneys, serious illness or death can occur.
   

4. Are you lonely tonight? There is a growing body of research that demonstrates how loneliness may affect your health. And a 2013 study demonstrates that our friendships and social networks have been in decline lately. The result could be more loneliness in our lives.

One study found that people with strong social relationships survived longer than those without. The risk factor was comparable to twice that of being obese or smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness was linked to depression and high blood pressure.

One theory on loneliness and its ill effects on the body is that it could make one feel chronically threatened. It is similar to being stuck in “fight or flight” mode, which releases chemicals in the body that can damage it over time. Basically, an always “on” immune system wears itself out. It has been noted by researchers that the physiological response of the brain to social isolation is to find the situation threatening to survival. Since humans are social animals, this makes sense.

5. Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). This condition is commonly associated with tampon use, but also may be caused when the S. aureus, staph, bacteria enters a wound. It can also be found among menstruating women who use birth control sponges, diaphragms or cervical caps. TSS can occur after childbirth, a bout of the flu, chickenpox, surgery, or any break of the skin like cuts or wounds.

Because TSS causes a sudden release of poison into the bloodstream from an overgrowth of staph, symptoms include a sudden fever over 102 degrees F, low blood pressure and a rash that looks like sunburn. Other signs include severe flu-like symptoms such as a headache or sore throat, muscle aches.

People who die from TSS suffer hypotensive shock, followed by the cessation of heart and lung functioning.

So now you know about five diverse conditions that could be deadly without a little knowledge. Though all may seem innocuous, they may cause permanent, life-threatening damage.