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Signs & Symptoms of an MSRA Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections are uncomfortable at the very least and most often unbearable. However, a MRSA urinary tract infection is much more severe and dangerous since it is bacteria that proves to be resistant to common antibiotics. Treatments are available, but prompt medical attention is necessary making acknowledging the signs and symptoms of such an infection vital to recovery.

  1. What is MRSA?

    • MRSA is short for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is a type of bacteria that usually causes skin infections but can cause problems in other parts of the body as well. People who live in community-living situations are especially susceptible to MRSA. This bacteria is dangerous because it has become resistant to penicillin, amoxicillin and oxacillin, making it much more difficult to treat. Often dubbed "superbugs," MRSA bacteria can infect anyone and can make you extremely ill if the right antibiotic combination is not found.

    Flank Pain

    • Experiencing pain in your flanks, or the sides of your body just below the rib cage, is a sign that there is something wrong with your kidneys. Since MRSA is very strong, it may progress to the kidneys faster than a standard urinary tract infection would. So, if you notice the usual symptoms of a UTI like burning upon urination and flank pain, seek medical attention right away.

    Fever and Chills

    • When you have a fever and chills, this usually means your body is fighting off some kind of infection. If these symptoms are accompanied by painful urination, blood in the urine or lower-abdominal pain, you very likely have a urinary-tract infection of some sort that may prove to be caused by MRSA. The quicker you obtain a diagnosis, the better your prognosis will be, so prompt treatment is necessary.

    Urinary Changes

    • Any changes in your urine should be noted and you should consult with your doctor about them. Key things to look for include a strong or bad odor of the urine, cloudiness, a deeper yellow color or blood in the urine. Painful urination is also a sign that something is wrong, meaning prompt diagnosis and treatment is necessary to discourage the infection from spreading.

    Nausea and Vomiting

    • If you have painful urination and nausea and vomiting develops, your UTI has likely spread to the kidneys. MRSA is a very dangerous bacteria. If you experience these symptoms, seek treatment immediately to avoid permanent damage to your kidneys and the rest of your urinary tract.

    Risk Factors

    • Besides knowing the signs and symptoms of a MRSA urinary tract infection, it's also important to know what factors put you directly at risk for developing this kind of infection. One of the primary causes of a UTI from a MRSA bacteria strain is prolonged catheterization. Having to use a catheter regularly places you at an increased risk for developing infections, especially MRSA-related ones. Additionally, living in a community-living situation or a hospice, or being bedridden, puts you at an increased risk for develop a MRSA UTI.

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