How to Treat Upper Respiratory MRSA

MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a serious bacterial infection. There are few antibiotics that treat MRSA. MRSA normally causes infections of the skin. Invasive MRSA is more difficult to treat because it attacks internal organs and structures of the body such as the lungs or blood. Invasive MRSA in the respiratory tract can lead to pneumonia. Recovery rates for patients with MRSA depend largely on the patient's age, underlying health issues, and strength of the immune system.

Instructions

• 1

  See your doctor. The symptoms of a MRSA respiratory infection are similar to other respiratory infections. You may experience chills, fever, shortness of breath, and/or general malaise. You won't be able to tell whether MRSA is the cause unless it is diagnosed by a physician.

• 2

  Give a sputum or blood sample. A sputum or blood culture must be run to determine whether the infection is caused by MRSA or another bacteria.

• 3

  Go to the hospital. An MRSA respiratory infection is serious enough that you will most likely be hospitalized. MRSA cannot be treated with any over-the-counter medication or natural supplement. Even very few antibiotics can work against MRSA.The treatments you will receive as an inpatient may include oxygen, IV antibiotics, and fluids. If kidney failure occurs, your treatment may also include dialysis.

• 4

  Take all your antibiotics. Some antibiotics that may still work against MRSA are: Vancomysin, Bactrim, Zyvox and tetracycline. Even these may have little effect. When you are given antibiotics, you must take all of them even if you feel better. Not finishing a course of antibiotics gives bacteria a chance to build resistance against the medication, which puts you at risk for more serious infections.