MRSA Guidelines

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is a strain of bacteria resistant to most antibiotics. Also called Staph, MRSA infections normally occur in health-related environments such as hospitals and nursing homes. A community associated MRSA has shown up recently in people that have not been in a hospital, but come in contact with others such as in gyms or children in daycare.

Identification

• When MRSA does infect the body, certain symptoms will appear. You will notice small red bumps on your skin that may resemble a pimple or boil. These bumps enlarge quickly with pus and become swollen and painful. The boils may appear anywhere on your body and can become life-threatening if infection penetrates deep into the body where it can affect vital organs.

Treatment

• Get to a doctor or emergency room quickly if you notice a pimple or boil that grows quickly and becomes red and painful. The boil may also feel warm to the touch. Other symptoms of a serious staph infection include chest pain, fatigue, muscle aches, shortness of breath, headache and fever. Tests will be performed to confirm what bacteria is causing the infection. Tissue from the infected area is taken and tested along with blood and urine cultures. Pus is drained from the infected boil and antibiotics prescribed. Intravenous antibiotics are given if a serious MRSA infection is diagnosed. Finish all antibiotics even if you feel better as stopping treatment may not kill all infection in the body, and may make bacteria more resistant to antibiotic medications. Antibiotics that may be used to fight a MRSA infection include Septra, Bactrim, Zyvox and Vancocin.

Prevention

• Doing simple prevention strategies goes a long way in protecting yourself and your family from harmful infections. Keep open wounds or sores covered. Bacteria enters the body through open cuts or sores and by keeping them covered you reduce the risk of infection. Wash hands frequently, especially when visiting a health-related facility. Do not share personal items such as razors, towels, makeup or clothing. Wipe down athletic equipment with a sanitized wipe before using. Do not sit in a whirlpool with a person who has an open wound. Carry small containers of hand sanitizer with you so you may use it after pushing a grocery cart, after pumping gas or handling restaurant menus.