[Margaret Pilkington]

Don't get too scared Entwisi........your chance of getting this is really quite remote.
It is a bacterium known as Staphylococcus Aureus. 30% of people carry this bacteria on the skin, usually under your arms and in your groin areas.......it is also present in the nose too. It is a commensal, that means it doesn't produce any illness UNLESS it gets into your body through a cut or an abrasion......then it can cause problems.
Impetigo,furunculosis(boils) cellulitis and Toxic Shock Syndrome are all caused by Staph Aureus.
There are a number of strains of Staph Aureus......fewer than 5% will have the toxic effects of the Panton Valentine Leukocidin.......which is what is thought to have caused the death of this fit young man. This strain of Staph aureus produces a cellular toxin which overwhelms the body in a very short space of time.