Definition

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a potentially serious infection that resists antibiotics. MRSA can affect the skin, blood, bones, or lungs. A person can either be infected or colonized with MRSA.

There are 2 types of MRSA infections:

• Community-acquired—getting the infection outside of a healthcare setting, such as a hospital or clinic
• Nosocomial—getting the infection while inside a healthcare setting

MRSA can spread several ways:

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

Causes

MRSA is caused by specific bacteria that resist antibiotics. Over time, bacteria adapt to repeated exposure to antibiotics, building up a resistance to them.

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase your chance of developing MRSA include:

• Community-acquired:
  • Impaired immunity
  • Sharing crowded spaces such as dormitories or locker rooms
  • Using IV drugs
  • Having a serious illness
  • Age: child
  • Being an athlete, especially in sports using direct contact such as wrestling and football
  • Being a prisoner
  • Being a member of the military
  • Exposure to animals such as being a pet owner, veterinarian, or pig farmer
  • Using antibiotics
  • Having a chronic skin disorder
  • Having a wound
  • Being infected with MRSA in the past
• Nosocomial:
  • Exposure to hospital or clinical settings
  • Living in a long-term care center
  • Impaired immunity
  • Advanced age
  • Gender: male
  • Using antibiotics
  • Having a wound

Symptoms

MRSA may not cause any symptoms in people who are colonized, but not infected, with the bacteria. In those that have symptoms, MRSA may cause:

• A rash that may have discharge
• An area of the skin that is swollen and red
• Blisters and boils on the skin

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Your bodily fluids and tissues may be tested. This can be done with:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Skin biopsy
• Wound cultures

Treatment

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

Prevention

To help reduce your chance of MRSA:

• 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.
• Clean surfaces to eliminate bacteria.
• If advised by your doctor, use nasal ointments, wash with special soap, and take medications to prevent the bacteria from infecting you again.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases http://www.niaid.nih.gov

Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated August 4, 2015. Accessed August 10, 2015.

MRSA decolonization. Aurora BayCare Medical Center website. Available at: https://ahc.aurorahealthcare.org/fywb/baycare/x34012bc.pdf. Accessed August 10, 2015.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) Infections. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa
Updated August 4, 2015. Accessed August 10, 2015.

MRSA. Nemours Foundation Kids Health website. Available at:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/mrsa.html
Updated June 2014. Accessed August 10, 2015.