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MRSA Facts

Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment

Oct 22, 2009 Scott Rupp

MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant bacterium that's spreading at epic proportions throughout schools, hospitals and the workplace. So, what is MRSA and how is it stopped?

Most bacteria was once thought easily annihilated with a bit of antibiotics, but during the last two decades, some bacteria, including the deadly MRSA, have begun to beat doctors and their medicines and the results have been fatal.

When these bacteria penetrate the skin or invade other parts of the body, a staph infection can be the result. Staph bacteria that are resistant to methicillin and other antibiotics are referred to as "methicillin-resistant staph aureus" or MRSA.

MRSA is methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or “staph,” which are bacteria that often live in the nose or on the skin. When first identified, it was prone to taking up residence in hospital and healthcare facilities. But in recent years, it has gone beyond those walls and has made its way into everyday life, having been found on the soccer field, playground and workplace.

MRSA bacteria are not only resistant to all penicillin-like antibiotics, but they are often resistant to many other types of antibiotics as well. Infections with MRSA can be costly and difficult to treat because of limited antibiotic options available for treatment of the disease.

How common is MRSA?

MRSA is becoming increasingly common with growth of the staph infections that are methicillin-resistant steadily increasing in the last 15 to 20 years. Some specialists believe this resistance is due in part because of the proliferation of antibiotic prescription drug use and the explosion of household chemicals that contain antibacterial chemicals.

Typically MRSA is carried on the skin and in the nose.

Recent studies by state and federal organizations have shown that the MRSA bacteria colonize rapidly. According to the Oregon Department of Human Services, about 30 percent of the population has a colonization of the staph bacteria in the nose at a given time, but the spread of MRSA throughout the general population is not known.

Who Gets MRSA

Anybody can have MRSA. However, the infection of the bacteria MRSA is most common in people in hospitals and healthcare facilities, according the Oregon Office of Public Health.

Less so, infections of MRSA can occur in crowded settings and living environments, among injection drug users, inmates and athletes of such contact sports including football, soccer and wrestling.

MRSA infection is very common in people who undergo major invasive medical procedures; the bacteria is one of the leading causes of bloodstream infections and surgical site infections.

How MRSA Spreads

MRSA is typically spread by direct contact, it is not airborne, and may spread through indirect contact by touching things such as towels and sheets, clothes, workout areas and sports equipment.

Symptoms of MRSA

Symptoms of MRSA infection are not different from any other staph infection. A new strain has caused community-associated infections and may be more likely to produce skin infections and pneumonia more commonly than other types of staph infections.

MRSA can only be diagnosed by identifying the bacteria grown in a laboratory culture from a sample.

Treatment for MRSA

The treatment for staph infections is determined by many things, such as the site of the infection, how bad the infection is, and the infection’s responsiveness to antibiotic treatments, but when the medication is needed, theirs is not much to choose from.

When antibiotics are required for MRSA, there are usually only a few from which to choose. MRSA treatment continues to be investigated, according to Public Health.

In the meantime, prevention of MRSA staph may be key and the best way to avoid it is through practicing good hygiene.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following steps to reduce the chance for contacting MRSA:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a proper dressing until healed.
Avoid contact with other people's wounds.
Don’t share athletic equipment and towels.

If you think you have a MRSA infection you should see your doctor immediately.

Deaths from MRSA

According to CDC research, there are about 15,000 to 20,000 MRSA-related deaths in the United States each year.

The copyright of the article MRSA Facts in General Medicine is owned by Scott Rupp. Permission to republish MRSA Facts in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant bacteria