Information on MRSA

The term MRSA is short for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Basically, it is a type of staph infection that cannot be killed by many common antibiotics. Staph bacteria usually live on your skin and don't cause any type of problem. Every once in a while they will cause an infection that needs to be treated by an effective antibiotic. Because MRSA is resistant to common antibiotics, it is extremely hard to treat and can become deadly.

Development

• The development of MRSA is likely due to the overuse of antibiotics to treat infections. Though antibiotics can be very effective at healing conditions like respiratory infections, sinus infections and urinary tract infections, too much use might be detrimental. This is because the bacteria can adapt and become resistant to the medication. When a bacteria becomes immune to certain antibiotics it is referred to as a "superbug."

Causes

• MRSA is contracted in the same way that most staph infections are spread. It can be easily transferred between people through physical contact with the infected person or by touching objects that they have used, like drinking out of the same cup or using the same telephone. It can't be spread through the air, unless the affected person sneezes or coughs, causing droplets of saliva to land on people and objects. MRSA can sometimes be spread throughout hospitals and can be dangerously transferred between patients through the use of tubes and other instruments. People with open wounds like cuts and burns are more likely to contract the contagious bacteria.

Symptoms

• The symptoms of MRSA can differ depending on what parts of the body are affected. A respiratory infection caused by MRSA can result in pneumonia and coughing. Wounds that are infected can become red and painful. MRSA bacteria that attack the skin can cause boils, rashes and wounds that are often confused for bug bites.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• MRSA is diagnosed by testing samples in a lab. Different antibiotics are tested on the bacteria until an effective one is found. Depending on the severity and infection site, different treatments are used. Some minor skin infections are just drained and cleaned, without the need for antibiotics. Oral antibiotics are also often prescribed. More serious MRSA infections might require hospitalization and an IV of antibiotics. Anyone who is hospitalized with MRSA will likely be isolated and special precautions are taken to avoid spreading the bacteria to other patients.

Prevention

• The best advice to prevent the spread of MRSA is to practice good hygiene. Washing hands frequently and cleaning and covering wounds can keep bacteria at bay. Be careful about your use of antibiotics. Ask your doctor if an antibiotic regimen is the best treatment for your ailment. If you do take an antibiotic, make sure you take the entire dosage. Not finishing the prescription could allow resistant bacteria to grow.