How to Identify MRSA Infected Wounds

MRSA is the short name for a staph infection called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This bactera is especially dangerous because it is not easily treated with normal antibiotics, resulting in fatalities. It's vital that cases be uncovered early, both to help the infected person and to avoid contamination of others in the community or hospital.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Thermometer
• Tissue samples
• Specific antibiotics

MRSA Awareness

1. Check skin for small wounds that resemble a boil, pimple, scrape or insect bite. Be especially careful if these occur in children or someone who has been in a hospital or nursing home. Ensure that the wounds do not become swollen, painful or filled with pus.

2. Seek professional help immediately if you note that a wound is not healing normally. MRSA infections deepen into an abscess that needs surgical attention before the infection spreads deeper into the body, including vital organs.

3. Take your temperature to check for fever. Be vigilant about noting other symptoms such as trouble breathing, which could indicate lung involvement with the bacteria.

4. Ask your doctor for a professional diagnosis through a tissue sample that would indicate a MRSA wound infection. It's important that the infection be identified, because ordinary antibiotics are usually ineffective for MRSA and would delay your healing, permit the infection to spread dangerously, and contribute to bacterial resistance.

5. Be sure to tell your doctor about recent hospital, clinic or nursing home experiences or whether you have had close contact with someone who has been in such settings, since these areas are associated with MRSA infections. Also note if you have an immune-system problem or prior infection with MRSA.

References

• Mayo Clinic
• SteadyHealth

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