What is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus?

What is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is a staphylococcal infection that is usually transmitted via skin-to-skin contact. The infection often begins on the skin but may spread to bones, joints, the blood or any organ in the body.

MRSA frequently occurs in a health care setting among those being treated for or recovering from other diseases or procedures. Patients in this situation may have a weakened immune system, which creates an easier pathway for MRSA infection.

Less severe MRSA infections may occur in healthier people and manifest only on the skin. Athletes or those who share items such as towels or razors, children in day care, members of the military and those who have recently received tattoos are among those at risk for this less severe form of MRSA infection.

Many healthy people have staphylococcus organisms on their skin. However, those with MRSA colonized on their skin may spread the infection to others.

Symptoms of MRSA include red, swollen or painful areas on the skin. MRSA often begins in an area that has been cut or rubbed, and it is more likely to occur in places where there is more body hair. Symptoms of more severe MRSA in the health care setting may include chest pain, cough or shortness of breath, fatigue, fever and/or chills, general ill feeling, headache, rash and wounds that do not heal.

MRSA is diagnosed by a laboratory culture.

Treatment may only involve draining a skin infection. However, due to the resistant nature of the organisms, more severe infection may be more difficult to treat.

MRSA may be prevented by basic sanitation. In the health care setting, both patients and doctors are encouraged to wash their hands with as much frequency as possible.

Additional information about MRSA may be found at these websites:

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/antimicrobialresistance/examples/mrsa/pages/default.aspx

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mrsa/DS00735

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mrsa.html

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/children/index.htm