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Signs & Symptoms of a MRSA Staph Infection

MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is an infection caused by staph bacteria. There are two strains. HA-MRSA occurs in hospital or health-care facilities. CA-MRSA is community-based and causes serious skin infection and pneumonia. MRSA resists some antibiotics and can be fatal.

  1. Typical Symptoms

    • Symptoms of MRSA include small red bumps that look like pimples or spider bites. These bumps can become abscesses that need to be drained.

    Other Symptoms

    • When the staph bacteria penetrates the skin and enters the body it can cause chest pain, cough, muscle aches and infections in the bloodstream, lungs, bones, joints and other areas. These infections can be life-threatening.

    Risks

    • Risk of developing MRSA is different for each strain. CA-MRSA risk factors include being a child or young adult, having a weak immune system and sharing towels or razors. HA-MRSA risk factors include a recent hospital stay, recently using antibiotics and using catheters or other invasive tubes.

    Complications

    • Serious cases of MRSA can lead to pneumonia, toxic shock syndrome, organ failure and death.

    Treatment

    • MRSA is usually treated with antibiotics like vancomycin, which fights resistant germs. Doctors may choose to treat the condition by draining the abscesses MRSA causes.

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