Staph MRSA Symptoms

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a painful and potentially life-threatening form of staph infection that must be identified and treated quickly. Patients with weakened immune systems in hospitals or other healthcare locations are susceptible to healthcare-associated MRSA, known as HA-MRSA. Community-associated MRSA, or CA-MRSA , is spread outside of the health care setting as severe skin infections in healthy people.

Features

• MRSA is a drug-resistant strain of staph bacteria that leads to painful skin conditions and internal infections. MRSA is increasingly common in the general population and is transferred by skin-to-skin contact or shared personal care items such as towels or razors.

Identification

• MRSA skin infections present as infected pimples, boils or abscesses that are painful, swollen and leak pus or fluid. The area surrounding the infection is red and warm to the touch.

Treatment

• Most MRSA infections are treated by draining the pus from under the skin. More serious infections are treated with a course of antibiotics, and some might require hospitalization.

Warning

• MRSA typically involves uncomfortable skin conditions, but the infection can also result in pneumonia and deadly bloodstream infections, known as sepsis. Immediate treatment is necessary if this infection is present.

Prevention

• MRSA is typically passed through skin-to-skin contact; frequent hand washing with soap and hot water is advised, particularly after spending time in public places. Do not share towels and razors as these carry the bacteria. Keep cuts or infected skin areas bandaged at all times.