MRSA Bacteria Facts Information and Treatment Options
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for several difficult-to-treat infections in humans. It may also be called multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ORSA).
MRSA is, by definition, any strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that has developed resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, which include the penicillins (methicillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, etc.) and the cephalosporins.
MRSA is especially troublesome in hospitals, where patients with open wounds, invasive devices and weakened immune systems are at greater risk of infection than the general public.
In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a report showed that MRSA infections reached 127,000 in 1999, with as many as 11,000 people dying from the deadly Superbug.
MRSA stands for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The name "staph" comes from the name of the bacterium itself, Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA is so named because it cannot be treated by most of the known antibiotics - making it possibly deadly to those who are infected. MRSA is affected by some of the most powerful antibiotics, however, so there is a chance that it can be treated once a person is diagnosed.
Most people have heard about the recent rash of MRSA staph infections that have been found in schools and other communities in the United States. For those of you who aren't aware of what MRSA is, it's a deadly flesh eating bacteria that has taken thousands of lives globally each year, hence the name Superbug.
In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a report showed that MRSA infections reached 127,000 in 1999, with as many as 11,000 people dying from the deadly Superbug.
The bacterium was first discovered in the UK in 1961, just a few years after Methicillin was being used to treat Staph infections. Eventually Staphylococcus became immune to the antibiotic known as Methicillin and formed into another harmful bacteria called MRSA or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. This bacterium only began as a hospital acquired infection, now it's being seen in the schools and community as well.
This flesh eating bacterium has been ridiculed and not taken seriously, workers in the medical facility as well as the general public have little knowledge about the dangerous outcome this deadly disease has. A major problem with health care facilities these days is the little knowledge provided to and by these facilities.
By becoming familiar with MRSA it can save a life, knowledge is the key. MRSA organisms can be found on practically everyone's skin, in which, this can cause no major problems. However, if the organisms get inside the body, through a cut or any open areas, it can become a serious infection. MRSA infections usually start out by a boil, a small pimple like blemish, cellulitis, sepsis, even pneumonia. Be cautious of MRSA pneumonia, this is another deadly bacterium. MRSA pneumonia is a relatively new infection that is very rare, still the chance is there.
S. aureus - Most commonly colonizes the anterior nares (the nostrils), although the respiratory tract, opened wounds, intravenous catheters, and urinary tract are also potential sites for infection. Healthy individuals may carry MRSA asymptomatically for periods ranging from a few weeks to many years. Patients with compromised immune systems are at a significantly greater risk of symptomatic secondary infection.
Strains of MRSA include:
EMRSA15, EMRSA16, MRSA252, CC8 strain designated ST8:USA300, ST8:USA400, ST8:USA500, and ST59:USA1000. Both the EMRSA15 and EMRSA16 strains are resistant to erythromycin and ciprofloxacin.
There are two main types of MRSA infections:
Hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) and Community acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA). A clue to the meaning of these terms in included in the phrases themselves. Hospital-acquired MRSA is an infection picked up by a patient who is admitted to the hospital for an unrelated problem and subsequently becomes infected by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus from a hospital source secondary to their initial health care issue. To date, most of the concern has been related to hospital acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) or nosocomial infection. Community-acquired MRSA infections develop from exposure to a carrier or contaminated surface in the greater community (outside the hospital).
Hospital Acquired MRSA Infections
Hospitals have been the source of most MRSA infections for several reasons. The sick patient population generally has weaker immune systems. Hospital staff possibly carrying these superbugs as they move from patient to patient. Routine of broad spectrum antibiotics provides selective pressure that causes the microorganisms to become resistant. Many hospital procedures are invasive, meaning they break the skin and introduce the organisms directly into the patient body. The hospital building is not the only place where a person may develop a nosocomial infection. The other places where a person may become infected with MRSA include any health care facility. Infections from long term care facilities and nursing homes also apply.
Community Acquired MRSA Infections
As stated before, the new reports are primarily related to Community acquired MRSA. The monitoring of Community acquired MRSA is not as extensive as many of these infections my go unreported unless severe illness or death results.
Community acquired MRSA may be on the rise for several reasons. Patients are released from the hospital into the community with sub-symptomatic MRSA infections carrying this methicillin resistant staph aureus into the community. (An infection is still considered hospital acquired if it develops within 30 days of hospital release.)
The rise of outpatient procedures may possibly contribute to MRSA in the community and frankly, some people are silent MRSA carriers. Community-acquired MRSA can be transmitted in any location where people gather.
The news reports include MRSA outbreaks in schools and colleges, particularly athletic programs. Across the country, schools have rightly closed in an attempt to stop the spread of community acquired MRSA. Other places that may cause concern for Community acquired MRSA are daycare facilities, among the prison population, ambulatory care centers.
The real challenge is how to quickly identify the source of community acquired MRSA and how to effectively eradicate these superbugs assuring community safety. Take steps to protect your loved ones from community acquired MRSA. Be aware of the danger of contracting MRSA from any source whether in the community or in the hospital.
Becoming infected with the MRSA Superbug, it is a very serious health risk if you are a patient or an employee in a hospital.
If you have surgery, burns, or a catheter you are at an extremely high risk to develop MRSA. Some people can be a carrier of MRSA and show absolutely no symptoms, some people don't find out until they experience a wound that doesn't heal correctly.
On the other hand, some symptoms can be quiet obvious. There are many symptoms that can occur such as warm red skin, swelling, joint pain, boils and blisters, fever, nausea and chills can even occur. A strange fact about MRSA is that the infected spot may not be the same site the boil appears. If there is a suspected case of MRSA it should be reported immediately, getting diagnosed as quickly as possible can decrease the further spread of this deadly bacterium.
A lot of the MRSA spread today comes from Health care facilities and community acquired, easily causing this to be an epidemic. The factors associated with high rates of transmission of MRSA is close skin contact with an individual who in infected, poor personal hygiene, contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, and crowded living conditions.
Ways you can protect yourself from becoming infected with MRSA:
Wash hands for at least 20 seconds at a time and wash often
Alcohol based hand sanitizer is also great, it's as effective as hand washing, use about 10 times, then do a good wash, highly recommended for hospital employees.
Wash hands before and after using the restroom.
Keep any open skin areas covered until they are completely healed, I recommend cleaning the open areas with Peroxide every night, along with an antibiotic ointment.
If you come into contact with wounds, bandages, skin drainage, or any type of bodily fluids be sure to wear gloves, and proper hand washing right afterwards.
Do Not share any personal items with anyone.
If you are a patient at a hospital, ask your caregiver to wash his/her hands before touching you. Some caregivers can transmit MRSA from patient to patient.
If you think that you have MRSA you should see a doctor as soon as possible, and you should notify people you have come in contact with if it turns out you are infected. This way you can fight the chance of an outbreak before it starts.
Articles
- MRSA Myths Truths and Information Video - Video clip separates myths from fact and includes prevention and treatment tips for MRSA infection.
- Understanding MRSA Infection - The symptoms of MRSA depend on where you're infected. Most often, it causes mild infections on the skin, causing sores or boils - WebMD
- MRSA - Stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The term is used to describe a number of strains of the bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, that are resistant to a number of antibiotics, including methicillin. Most MRSA infections occur in people who have been in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers. When it occurs in these settings, it's known as health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). HA-MRSA infections typically are associated with invasive procedures or devices, such as surgeries, intravenous tubing or artificial joints.
