Mercer Staph Infection

The medical terms Mercer staph infection, MSRA infection, 'Staph Superbug'; all refer to the same infection. This medical condition is caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSRA), a bug resistant to most of the antibiotics. The mercer staph infection is a very serious condition that can have life-threatening complications. One should be aware of all the symptoms and treatment, that will help detect and cure a possible infection quickly.

What is Mercer Staph Infection?

Mercer staph infection, as mentioned above, is caused by bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. This bacteria is resistant to most of the penicillin type antibiotics as well as other antibiotics commonly used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. The MRSA staph infection came into existence after the use of antibiotics began in 1940s. More and more infections were treated with antibiotics and the organism was quick to undergo mutation. This mutation helped the bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics that killed it. Thus, many of the most effective antibiotics soon became obsolete in treatment of bacterial infections caused by MSRA. Studies have shown, there are more deaths attributed to Mercer staph infection as compared to the deadly AIDS virus.

The question what is mercer infection can simply be answered as an infection caused by bacteria resistant to the following antibiotics:

• Methicillin, Oxacillin, Penicillin, Amoxicillin
• Cephalosporin
• Vancomycin

More and more MRSA bacteria are growing resistant towards a broader spectrum of antibiotics. It is predicted in the near future, one will not be able to treat bacterial infections with antibiotics alone.

Types of Mercer Staph Infection

MSRA infection was supposed to infect patients with a weakened immune system or elderly patients. Gradually, it was found that a new type of MRSA bug has begun to infect healthy individuals. This led to creation of classification that is explained below.

Hospital Acquired MRSA Infection
It is proven that 85% of all Mercer staph infections occur in hospitalized patients. These patients are either elderly people or those whose immune system is compromised. The infection that occurs in a healthcare setup or hospital, is called HA-MRSA infection.

Community Acquired MRSA Infection
This is the new type of infection that infects healthy adults as well as children. This infection often spreads in places of direct skin to skin contact like schools, locker rooms, gyms, etc. The organism infects the soft tissues and causes skin infections as well as severe pneumonia. The CA-MRSA infection is resistant to most of the antibiotics leading to high incidence of death among those infected.

Symptoms

The mercer infection symptoms are similar to other staphylococcus infections. The first symptoms include small red colored and warm to touch lumps or bumps on the skin. These small bumps are similar to a pimple or spider bite. These bumps form abscess that needs to be drained by a physician. This symptom should be spotted at the earliest and prompt treatment should be sought. This is because if the infection spreads from the skin to the bloodstream, wounds in the body, bones, joints, heart, lungs and other internal organs, it could prove to be fatal.

Patients who have surgical wounds may experience severe pain and swelling around the wounds. One may spot furuncles or carbuncles around the hair follicles. Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit, groin and neck may also be seen. As the infection spreads, one may suffer from chills, acute nausea, acute pain in bones, joints and muscles. Other mercer staph infection symptoms include vomiting, lethargy and malaise. In some patients, severe headaches and fatigue is seen. Most of the symptoms appear at different points of infection spread. Symptoms may appear within a day or up to 10 days of an infection.

Treatment

The treatment depends on different factors. The severity of infection, other existing medical conditions, age of patient are taken into consideration. Along with these factors, the test results that show which antibiotics have the greatest effect of the organism, also help in deciding the treatment. The mild or moderate MSRA infection treatment includes draining the abscess from the pimples formed. This helps in healing the infected tissue quickly. The antibiotics prescribed for mild to moderate skin infection include sulfamethoxazole, minocycline, tetracycline, clindamycin, etc.

More serious forms of Mercer staph infections require the patient to be hospitalized and given IV antibiotics. The antibiotics used to treat a severe MRSA infections are vancomycin, daptomycin, quinupristin, etc. These antibiotics are to be taken for up to 8 weeks to treat the infection completely.

While one is being given the treatment, it is very important the instructions by the doctor should be followed strictly. The antibiotics prescribed should be taken on time and the course should be completed without a single break. If one does not follow the dose directions, it could cause the organism to become resistant to the drug. This can cause serious complications that take more time to be cured. It is possible for a relapse to occur, therefore make sure one follows all the prevention guidelines advised by the doctor.

One should never take a MSRA infection lightly as it can lead to complications that can prove to be life-threatening. If you have any doubts regarding the symptoms and treatment, speak to your physician for more detailed answers. If one suspects a skin infection to be mercer staph infection, visit the doctor for prompt diagnosis and treatment.