MRSA Facts: What is MRSA

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a strain of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (commonly referred to as 'staph') that is resistant to the antibiotic group called beta-lactams. This bacterium can cause deadly and difficult-to-treat infectious diseases in humans. In fact, MRSA is the most common bacteria that causes skin infections in the United States. At times, MRSA can also be used to refer multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Facts about MRSA

MRSA was discovered for the first time in United Kingdom, in 1961. However, in the United States, it was isolated only in 1981, from people who used intravenous drugs. This is the reason as to why this bacterium is commonly referred to as 'superbug'.

MRSA can be present in normal healthy people without causing any symptoms. Studies have found that Staphylococcus aureus is mostly present in human skin, nostrils and throat of about 30 percent healthy people. In such a situation, individuals carrying the bacterium (without any observable symptoms) are said to be colonized. Though they are not infected, these colonized individuals have the potential to spread the bacterium to another person.

Staph infections that occur in hospitals and nursing homes are called health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA ); whereas, infections among healthy people in the community are community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). Hospital patients who have open wounds and /or a compromised immune system are more susceptible to HA-MRSA. Strains of MRSA that cause epidemics are called EMRSA, for example EMRSA-3 and EMRSA-16.

The first noticeable symptom of an MSRA infection is small, red, raised skin areas that are more or less similar to pimples. After a few days, these skin bumps become larger, painful abscesses. At times, MRSA infection causes fever and skin rashes. Symptoms of MRSA infection may be mild and treatable in some patients, whereas in others, symptoms may be severe and life-threatening.

In case, MRSA infection spreads inside the body other than the skin, it can affect the bones, joints, lungs, heart and urinary tract. Complications of MRSA infection include severe skin diseases, shortness of breath, septicemia (blood poisoning), low blood pressure, urinary track infection (UTI), joint pain and pneumonia.

MRSA infection is treated by administering certain antibiotics that are effective against MRSA. Treatment for people with MRSA colonization is not required, however surface antibiotics can be used for disinfecting the bacterium. For severe skin abscesses, the physician may prescribe surgical draining.

Since MRSA is highly contagious and can be spread easily from one person to another, personal hygiene and cleanliness is very essential to prevent MRSA infections. Cuts and wounds should be disinfected and covered, until they are completely healed. One should not share personal items like razors, towels and clothes, as it poses a risk of MRSA infection. Sharing clothes is the main reason for increased MRSA infection among athletes and sport persons.

While visiting patients of MRSA infections, precautions like use of gloves, masks and gowns should be followed or as instructed by the concerned hospital staffs. It is advisable not to have contact with the patient, if the visitor has open wounds and/or a weakened immune system.