Facts on MRSA Pneumonia

MRSA stands for methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, which is a form of staph infection that is resistant to conventional antibiotic treatment.

Facts About MRSA

MRSA pneumonia is a form of the MRSA bacteria that spreads through coughing. Once in the lungs, the bacteria spreads and can shut down the natural processes that ensure the lungs are clear, allowing the staph bacteria to continue growing and developing into MRSA pneumonia.

Symptoms of MRSA

MRSA starts as suspicious skin lesions that resemble boils or pimples on the skin.

MRSA Treatment

Doxycycline and vancomycin are aggressive antibiotics used to treat MRSA pneumonia. Both may be taken orally or administered intravenously, depending on the severity of the bacteria.

Risks of MRSA Pneumonia

MRSA pneumonia can occur at anytime of the year, most commonly with children during the winter months.

Warning

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) caution doctors about MRSA, the drug-resistant form of staph that leads to life-threatening pneumonia, because many cases have been misdiagnosed or untreated.

References

• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Resources

• medicinenet
• infectionmrsa
• Association of Medical Microbiologists