MRSA Staph Infections
MRSA stands for methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus. This staph infection is a bacterium that can cause an infection in various parts of the body. This particular type of staph infection is very difficult for the medical community to treat because it is resistant to the usual antibiotics that doctors use to treat staph infection.
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History
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The history of MRSA goes back to the 1960s and 1970s. The introduction of methicillin in 1959 was used to successfully treat staph infections that were resistant to penicillin. The staph infection acquired resistance to the newer medication in only two years.
The first cases of MRSA came from the United Kingdom with outbreaks first spreading through hospitals in Australia in the 1970s.
Types
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HA-MRSA is the staph infection that spreads through hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. Health care associated MRSA is the name of this type of staph infection. Hospital patients are at risk for this type of infection if they have weak immune systems from illness or they are elderly.
CA-MRSA is community associated MRSA and it can affect younger and healthier people in the outside community. This type of MRSA can cause pneumonia and skin conditions that become very serious in some patients. -
Identification
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MRSA usually starts as a skin infection that can take the form of boils, pimples or bumps on the skin. These skin infections usually become deep and painful and require drainage from a doctor. When the skin infection enters the bloodstream and other parts of the body, the infection can become much more serious.
Identification of MRSA requires a tissue sample or nasal swab that a laboratory tests to determine if MRSA is present. Testing patients in hospitals for the staph infection prevents the spread of the illness.
Effects
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MRSA infection can lead to serious complications if the infection enters the body. Skin infections should be monitored for infection. If a wound has pus, is warm to the touch and a fever is present, testing for MRSA should be done.
Test skin infections for MRSA before using medications to treat the condition. Antibiotics are not effective for this type of infection and it could allow the bacteria to grow unchecked.
Prevention
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Preventing MRSA is possible by following a few precautions such as hand washing. Do not share towels, razors and equipment. Wash down exercise equipment with disinfectant spray before using in a public gym. When diagnosed with a skin infection, protect others from the condition by keeping wounds covered and washing your bed linens and towels with very hot water to stop the spread of MRSA to others.
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