Definition | Causes | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Prevention

Definition

A methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria can affect the skin, blood, bones, or lungs. A person can either be infected or colonized with MRSA. When a person is infected, the bacteria cause symptoms. A person colonized also has the bacteria, but it may not cause any symptoms. An MRSA infection is serious because the bacteria are resistant to many antibiotics that are used to treat infections.

There are two types of MRSA infection: community-acquired and nosocomial. People who have a community-acquired MRSA infection were infected outside of a hospital setting (for example, a dormitory). Nosocomial MRSA infections occur in healthcare settings (such as hospitals or clinics).

Causes

An MRSA infection can spread several ways:

  • Contaminated surfaces
  • Person-to-person
  • From one area of the body to another

Risk Factors

The following factors increase your chance of infection. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:

  • Community-acquired:
    • Impaired immunity
    • Sharing crowded spaces (such as dormitories or locker rooms)
    • Using intravenous drugs
    • Serious illness
    • Being a young child, athlete, prisoner, or military personnel
    • Exposure to animals (such as being a pet owner, veterinarian, or pig farmer)
    • Using antibiotics
    • Chronic skin disorder
    • Being infected with MRSA in the past
  • Nosocomial (healthcare-associated):
    • Impaired immunity
    • Exposure to hospital or clinical settings
    • Advanced age
    • Sex: male
    • Chronic illness
    • Using antibiotics
    • Having a wound
    • Living in a long-term care center
    • Having an indwelling medical device (for example, a feeding tube or intravenous catheter)

Symptoms

If you experience any of these symptoms, do not assume it is an MRSA infection. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your doctor.

  • Folliculitis—infection of hair follicles
  • Boils—a skin infection that may drain pus, blood, or an amber-colored liquid
  • Scalded skin syndrome—a skin infection characterized by a fever, rash, and sometimes blisters
  • Impetigo—large blisters on the skin
  • Toxic shock syndrome—a rare but serious bacterial infection
    • Two primary symptoms are a rash and high fever.
  • Cellulitis—a skin infection characterized by a swollen, red area that spreads quickly
  • Abscess

Infected Hair Follicle—Folliculitis

Inflammed hair follicle
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Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. He or she will do a physical exam. Tests may include:

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:

Antibiotics are given to kill the bacteria. Only a few antibiotics are available that can treat an MRSA infection.

Your doctor may open the abscess and allow the fluid to drain. Do not attempt to do this on your own.

Do the following to treat the infection and to keep it from spreading:

  1. Wash your skin with an antibacterial cleanser.
  2. Cover your skin with a sterile dressing.

Decolonization is a process to help rid your body of the MRSA infection. This process may involve using nasal ointments, washing with special soap, and taking medicines (including antibiotics). Decolonization is only recommended in certain cases.

Prevention

To help reduce your chance of getting an MRSA infection, take the following steps:

  • Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Keep cuts and wounds clean and covered until healed.
  • Avoid contact with other people’s wounds and materials contaminated by wounds.
  • If you are hospitalized, visitors and healthcare workers may be required to wear special clothing and gloves. This will help prevent spreading the infection to others.