The following is from The Bug Bible - http://www.safefood.net.au/AudienceHierarchy/TheBugBible/Default.htm

Staphylococcus aureus is important from both a medical and food perspective. S. aureus, also known as Golden staph, is resistant to some antibiotics and is responsible for many diseases in warm blooded animals. Illness is caused by the production of a toxin in the food as a result of bacterial growth. S aureus remains one of the most frequently reported causative agents of foodborne illness.

The most common source of the organism is the human body however, it can also be isolated from animals and poultry and hence can be present on raw meat . The human strains are more likely to be toxin producers. S. aureus can be part of the normal flora in the nose throat and on the skin of humans. They can also be present in skin eruptions such as boils acne and styes. Skin wounds, even minor ones, can harbour large numbers of S. aureus. Therefore the primary transfer of organisms is by the food handler.

Growth and toxin production can occur over a wide range of temperatures however, most cases occur from storage of susceptible foods at ambient temperatures for some period prior to consumption.

The organism is susceptible to heat but the toxin can show significant resistance so reheating foods in which the toxin has been allowed to develop will not necessarily inactivate the toxin.

This organism will be present in foods. Personal hygiene of the food handler is very important in preventing or minimizing transfer of the organism to foods. Handling of food should be kept to a minimum and tongs and implements used instead of hands. Infected wounds and skin eruptions should be covered.

Susceptible foods must not be stored in the temperature danger zone.

Scientists believe that there are at least ten places in the average home that contain bacteria that can cause you harm and are often overlooked in cleaning.

1. TV Remotes - food is often left on these and bacteria will happily grow. An occasional wipe over would be a simple way of reducing this. 

2. Bathtub and Shower - In a recent study the Center for Hygiene and Health in Home and Community in the US found that the bathtubs in the study had up to 100 times the level of bacteria found in a rubbish tin. Therefore,it is recommended that these areas should be washed and disinfected regularly.

3. Pet Food Dish -  even though these favourite animals can eat foods humans won't and can't, they can still get sick from bacterial infections. Their bowls (including the water bowl) need to be cleaned regularly.

 4. Kitchen Sponges and Cloths -  The items used for cleaning must be kept clean or they will contaminate what they are cleaning. use of different cloours for different uses also helps reduce the likelihood of cross contamination. If a cloth is dirty, old or in poor condition, dump it and get a fresh one. In a study by the Center for Hygiene and Health in Home and Community in the US, 70 percent of the cloths tested failed the hygiene test and about 31percent contained E.coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

5.Microwave Touch Screen - this is a patch that is often missed when the microwave is cleaned and just think about it. It is always being touched by everyone n the home.

6. Light Switches - Most people do not even think to wipe these down regularly and just like the microwave controls, everyone touches them. It is particularly important when someone is ill to reduce the likelihood of transfer.

7. Vacuum Cleaner - these are wonderful devices for cleaning but if not used and maintained can be a big source of bacterial infection. Like all cleaning equipment, they must be kept clean and be fit for use. Keep them emptied when not in use and make sure they are in good condition. Always clean the cleanest area first and then move on to the dirtiest, this will reduce cross contamination.

8. Taps in the Bathroom, Laundry and Kitchen - we use these everyday and most don't get a good clean very often. The study by the Hygiene Council showed the tested kitchen taps had 13 000 bacteria cells per square inch and the bathroom taps in the study had 6000. Regular washing down is essential.

9. Shower Curtain - When was the last time you gave this surface a good clean or are you assuming that because it gets wet regularly all is good? Some bacteia types love to grow in this sort of place where it is moist and with plenty of food from the soap and bits of us. A regular clean is a really good idea.

10. Wet Laundry - If you are holding wet laundry in the basket, any bacteria on them can be easily transferred from one item to another and can grow fairly well in the moist environment. Viruses are a particular issue, like Hepatitis A.

There is no need to live ion a sterile environment, in fact that is dangerous for us as we need certain bacteria in order to be healthy. Good cleaning is essential though to remove the bacteria that can cause us harm. Disinfectants have their place but should not be used freely as this will create potential immunity in bacteria.

The Hygiene Council recently undertook a study across eight studies about this and found that 19percent of the people surveyed were cleaning their homes, not to be clean but so it looked clean to visitors. This is a scarey finding.