|
MRSA infection
Definition
MRSA infection is an infection with a strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics known as beta-lactams. These antibiotics include methicillin, amoxicillin, and penicillin.
Alternative Names
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA); Hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA)
Causes
Staphylococcus aureus ("staph") are common bacteria that normally live on the skin. The bacteria also live harmlessly in the nasal passages of roughly 30% of the U.S. population. Staph can cause infection when they enter the skin through a cut or sore. Infection can also occur when the bacteria move inside of the body through a catheter or breathing tube. The infection can be minor and local (for example, a pimple), or more serious.
Most staph infections occur in people with weak immune systems, usually patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities. MRSA infections in hospitalized patients are known as healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). People who have been hospitalized or had surgery within the past year are at high risk for HA-MRSA. People receiving certain treatments, such as dialysis, are also at high risk. MRSA bacteria account for a large percentage of hospital-acquired staph infections.
Over the past several years, MRSA infections in people not considered high-risk have increased. These infections, known as community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA), occur in otherwise healthy people who have no history of hospitalization in the last year. Many such infections have occurred among athletes who share equipment or personal items (such as towels or razors) and children in daycare facilities.
Symptoms
Staph skin infections normally cause a red, swollen, and painful area on the skin. Other symptoms may include:
- A skin abscess
- Drainage of pus or other fluids from the site
- Fever
- Warmth around the infected area
Symptoms of a more serious staph infection may include:
Exams and Tests
Depending on the extent and severity of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend the following tests:
Treatment
Draining the abscess at the doctor's office is usually the only treatment needed for a local skin MRSA infection.
Few antibiotics are available to treat more serious MRSA infections. These include vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS), and linezolid (Zyvox).
It is important to finish all doses of antibiotics you have been given, even if you feel better before the final dose. Unfinished doses can lead to development of drug resistance in the bacteria.
Other treatments may be given to for more serious infections. These treatments, given in the hospital, may include supplemental oxygen and intravenous medication. In cases of kidney failure, dialysis may be needed.
Support Groups
Information to the public on community-associated MRSA can be found at the web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Outcome varies with the severity of the infection, and the general condition of the person who has the infection. MRSA pneumonia and blood poisoning have high death rates.
Possible Complications
Serious staph infections may include:
Organ failure and death may result from untreated MRSA infections.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your healthcare provider if a wound seems to get worse rather than heal, or if any other symptoms of staph infection are present.
Prevention
Careful attention to personal hygiene is key to avoiding MRSA infections. Wash your hands frequently, especially if visiting someone in a hospital or long-term care facility. Do not share personal items such as towels or razors with another person -- MRSA can be transmitted through contaminated items. Cover all wounds with a clean bandage, and avoid contact with other people's soiled bandages. If you share sporting equipment, clean it first with antiseptic solution.
Braunwald E, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, et al., eds. Hyponatremia. In Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 15th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2001:896-99.
Siegel JD, Rhinehart E, Jackson M, Chiarello L; Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. Management of multi-drug resistant organisms in healthcare settings, 2006. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Email to a Friend
Typical mistypes for MRSA infection
nrsa infection, krsa infection, jrsa infection, mesa infection, mdsa infection, mfsa infection, mtsa infection, m5sa infection, m4sa infection, mraa infection, mrza infection, mrxa infection, mrda infection, mrea infection, mrwa infection, mrsz infection, mrss infection, mrsw infection, mrsq infection, mrsa unfection, mrsa jnfection, mrsa knfection, mrsa onfection, mrsa 9nfection, mrsa 8nfection, mrsa ibfection, mrsa imfection, mrsa ijfection, mrsa ihfection, mrsa indection, mrsa incection, mrsa invection, mrsa ingection, mrsa intection, mrsa inrection, mrsa infwction, mrsa infsction, mrsa infdction, mrsa infrction, mrsa inf4ction, mrsa inf3ction, mrsa infextion, mrsa infevtion, mrsa infeftion, mrsa infedtion, mrsa infecrion, mrsa infecfion, mrsa infecgion, mrsa infecyion, mrsa infec6ion, mrsa infec5ion, mrsa infectuon, mrsa infectjon, mrsa infectkon, mrsa infectoon, mrsa infect9on, mrsa infect8on, mrsa infectiin, mrsa infectikn, mrsa infectiln, mrsa infectipn, mrsa infecti0n, mrsa infecti9n, mrsa infectiob, mrsa infectiom, mrsa infectioj, mrsa infectioh, rsa infection, msa infection, mra infection, mrs infection, mrsainfection, mrsa nfection, mrsa ifection, mrsa inection, mrsa infction, mrsa infetion, mrsa infecion, mrsa infecton, mrsa infectin, mrsa infectio, rmsa infection, msra infection, mras infection, mrs ainfection, mrsai nfection, mrsa nifection, mrsa ifnection, mrsa inefction, mrsa infcetion, mrsa infetcion, mrsa infeciton, mrsa infectoin, mrsa infectino, mmrsa infection, mrrsa infection, mrssa infection, mrsaa infection, mrsa infection, mrsa iinfection, mrsa innfection, mrsa inffection, mrsa infeection, mrsa infecction, mrsa infecttion, mrsa infectiion, mrsa infectioon, mrsa infectionn, etc.
|
|
|
