MRSA Signs and Symptoms
Antibiotic Resistant Staph Bacteria in Public Beach Water and Sand
Sep 13, 2009
MRSA, the acronym for methicillin-resistant Staph aureus, has recently been discovered to be festering in public beach sand and marine water in San Francisco. In the USA Today article “MRSA 'Superbug' Found in Ocean, Public Beaches,” Steve Sternberg reported that seven beaches on the Puget Sound in San Francisco, California, have been found to contain MRSA, with numerous samples containing an antibiotic resistant strain of the bacteria.
What is MRSA
MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that is considered to be potentially dangerous and resistant to some antibiotics. MRSA can lead to skin or other infections. According to Sternberg, the development of a more resilient strain of MRSA has lead to cases of soft tissue and skin infection of normally healthy individuals, or to MRSA pneumonia. MRSA can also enter the bloodstream, causing the fatality rate to increase to around 20% for those infected this way.
How MRSA Staff Infection Occurs
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) states that MRSA is usually contacted by sharing personal items that have been used by an infected person, such as a towel or razor. Direct contact with an infected person can lead to MRSA as well. The transmission of MRSA has been documented in hospitals, schools, and in contact sports, such as wrestling and boxing.
With the recent Puget Sound study, leisure activities may be of a new concern for individuals. Lead investigator of the study, Marilyn Roberts, was quoted by Sternberg as saying, “Our results suggest that public beaches may be a reservoir for possible transmission of MRSA."
Symptoms of Staph Skin Infections
MRSA skin infections begin as an irritated bump, lesion, or infected area located anywhere on the skin that has been in contact with the bacteria. According to the CDC, infected areas may first appear to resemble a spider bite. Any area of the skin that seems to be red, painful, swollen, filled with pus, warm to the touch, or accompanied by a fever needs to be investigated by a doctor immediately.
Prevention and Resources
Because staph infections generally enter the body through areas that have cuts or scrapes, the CDC recommends bandaging all wounds, no matter how minor, to help prevent transmission. Good hygiene and avoiding sharing others personal hygiene products is also recommended.
It is important to remember that individuals infected with the swine flu, or H1N1, or other immune-weakening infections are also at a higher risk for severe complications, including death. If any symptoms that resemble MRSA appear, immediate doctor’s care is recommended. The sooner treatment is sought, the faster recovery can begin. More information on MRSA and other infectious diseases can be researched at the Center for Disease Control website.
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Sources: Center for Disease Control, USA Today
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