Information & Symptoms of Mrsa

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain of Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria that does not respond to traditionally used broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as methicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin and oxacillin. The number of MRSA infections has increased sharply over the years. According to the Mayo Clinic, in 1974, 2% of all reported staph infections were MRSA infections; in 2004, 63% were MRSA infections.

Types of MRSA

• Hospitals and healthcare facilities are often the sources of staph infections such as MRSA.

  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) classifies MRSA in two categories: healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) and community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA).
  MRSA, and staph infections in general, most often occur in hospital and healthcare settings, infecting people with weak or compromised immune systems. These are classified as HA-MRSA infections.
  Infections occurring in otherwise healthy people (those who have not been hospitalized or have not had an invasive medical procedure in the past year) are classified as CA-MRSA infections. Typically, these manifest as skin infections, though they may lead to more serious illnesses like pneumonia.

Causes

• Antibiotics can kill bacteria, but they can also make it stronger if the dose isn't enough to kill it.

  Staph bacteria becomes resistant to traditional treatment because of natural germ mutation. When an antibiotic is used to treat a staph infection, some bacteria are killed, but the surviving bacteria adapt and mutate to resist the antibiotic. Because of the germ's ability to mutate, human practices largely contribute to the problem. Antibiotics exist in our food and water supply because of improper disposal and antibiotics given to animals. When antibiotics are introduced to staph bacteria in low doses, the bacteria can mutate more easily. Antibiotics not taken as prescribed, such as taking less than the prescribed dose or not finishing the full course, also eases bacterial mutation.

Symptoms

• Surgery may be needed to relieve abscesses caused by MRSA.

  MRSA infections usually start out as small, painful red bumps that resemble a cluster of pimples or spider bites. Sometimes the infection may remain on the skin surface, but can quickly cause abscesses that require surgical intervention. Bacteria may then enter the body through a cut or abscess, causing potentially life-threatening infections throughout the body. A skin infection accompanied by foul-smelling pus and a fever warrants a visit to a doctor.

Tests and Diagnosis

• MRSA is diagnosed by a lab test of nasal secretions or a tissue sample. The traditional test places the sample into a petri dish with other ingredients that encourage bacterial growth over a 48 hour period. However, newer DNA tests may provide results within a few hours.

Treatment

• Certain antibiotics are still useful in the treatment of both HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA. The antibiotic vancomycin is often used to treat both forms, though some hospitals report a loss of effectiveness in certain MRSA strains.

Risk Factors for CA-MRSA

• Risk factors for contracting CA-MRSA include: being young, because immune systems aren't fully developed and antibodies to common germs are not yet present; having a weakened immune system; living in unsanitary or crowded environments; being in close contact with healthcare workers; participating in contact sports, because bacteria spread readily via skin-to-skin contact, cuts and scrapes; and sharing athletic equipment. According to the Mayo Clinic, a new strain of MRSA has also been seen spreading rapidly through certain groups of homosexual men in Boston and San Francisco.

Risk Factors for HA-MRSA

• Risk factors for HA-MRSA include: a hospitalization within the past year; living in a long-term care facility; recent use of cephalosporin or fluoroquinolone (ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, or levofloxacin) antibiotics; and the use of invasive medical devices such as catheters or dialysis machines.

Prevention

• Basic sanitation, such as proper hand-washing, helps stop MRSA from spreading.

  The most effective forms of prevention are frequent hand-washing; thorough disinfection of areas and objects in hospital settings, sports and healthcare facilities; covering wounds with bandages; showering after sporting activities; sanitizing linens; and proper use of antibiotics. If you suspect you have a staph or MRSA infection, see your doctor right away.