Differential Diagnosis of MRSA

MRSA, or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, is a type of staph infection that is resistant to once standard treatment and is potentially lethal. The infection frequently manifests as a type of skin lesion, finding opportunity in broken skin to invade. MRSA can affect respiratory, blood and other systems of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Initial Appearance

The first appearance of MRSA often strongly resembles a serious spider bite, leading some people to falsely believe they had been bitten by a brown recluse spider, and have a necrotizing wound from that.

Rash

The skin infections from MRSA appear as boils/carbuncles, or some type of follicular rash or lesion. Eventually they may get pus, ooze, and will feel hot and inflamed.

CDC Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges health care providers to consider MRSA as the diagnosis in any skin or soft-tissue infections, due to the rise of MRSA in a variety of communities and settings.

Complications

Untreated MRSA may later cause other symptoms, besides skin lesions, such as fever, aches, respiratory symptoms, and generally feeling unwell. If an unexplained rash appears, and other symptoms follow, consult a physician.

Treatment

While MRSA is resistant to a number of antibiotics, there are some antibiotics that can be used to treat a MRSA infection. It may be necessary depending on the severity of the case, to treat a patient in the hospital intravenously.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Preventing MRSA Skin Infections
• Mayo Clinic: MRSA
• Journal of Family Practice: Bilateral axillary pustules

Resources

• Medline Plus: MRSA
• Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment: Protocols