The Cause of MRSA – Staphylococcus aureus (staff-ill-oh-kok-us-aw-ree-us), or “Staph” is an infection caused by bacteria in different parts of the body. Although Staph is a common bacteria that can live in people without being infected, it can cause serious infections if it gets into the body, through a cut. Antibiotics are given to kill staph, but over the years, strains of staph such as MRSA have become resistant to antibiotics. Police unions find it extremely important to inform communities about MRSA as it is an extremely contagious infection. This article is meant to explain exactly what MRSA is and you can also follow Online Health Spot’s Official Facebook Page to keep informed of new information.
What is MRSA?
Methicillin-Resistant-Staphylococcus-Aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph that is resistant to antibiotic treatments. MRSA infections can be classified as HA-MRSA (hospital acquired MRSA) or CA-MRSA (community acquired MRSA). MRSA was discovered in 1961 and now discovered to be resistant to amoxicillin, methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin, and such.
Who gets it?
MRSA is easily spread through contact. You may get MRSA by touching people who have MRSA germs in their skin or touching contaminated objects that have bacteria on them. Common people who have weak immune systems and are in nursing homes, hospitals, and health care centers are mostly infected.
Symptoms
Early symptoms of MRSA infection starts as rash (resembling to boils) which quickly turn to abscess after a couple of days. If the infection is not treated immediately, abscess will progress to carbuncles (infection larger than abscess with openings to the skin) and soon develop impetigo (other skin infection with blisters). MRSA can spread to any other organ in the body.
Severe symptoms include:
- chills
- fever
- low blood pressure
- headaches
- joint pains
- shortness of breath
- rashes all over the body
MRSA can become life-threatening if it spreads to the internal organ of the infected person. Thus, immediate support and medical attention is needed when associated with these signs.
MRSA Diagnosis
Doctors can start an overall physical exam and medical history for skin related problems to trace and identify if the skin infection is caused by MRSA. In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a rapid blood test that can detect the presence of the MRSA bacteria for less than three hours. This test can determine whether the organic material found in the infected part is from less dangerous staph bacteria or MRSA. However, this test is not recommended for monitoring the treatment of MRSA infections. But for monitoring overall health weaknesses caused by the early symptoms of MRSA or any other infection, modern technological equipment can be used. See BD Alaris Pump as an example.
MRSA Treatments
Yes. Seeking your healthcare provider can determine which MRSA treatment is best for you. MRSA infections can be treated by certain specific antibiotics such as Linezoolis, Vancomycin, others are treated by intravenous anitbiotics (for moderate to severe infection), while some are given Doxycycline. Patients suffering from extreme abscess are required to undergo surgery to drain the infection. There are also many at-home remedies and natural MRSA treatment options which or preferred by many people, since it is an antibiotic-resistant infection and many don’t like the idea of putting harsh chemical drugs in their bodies.
Prevention
Hygiene practice must be thoroughly implemented. To avoid skin contact, one should wear disposable gloves and medical gowns before contacting an infected patient. Visitors and healthcare providers must also wash their hands with soap and water before and after caring for the patient. Other way to prevent MRSA from spreading is to immediately cover minor lacerations and abrasions in the skin.
MRSA Today
Methicillin-Resistant-Staphylococcus-Aureus is now considered to be one of the 18 microbes listed by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a superbug (multi-drug-resistant microbe). Scientists and other healthcare professionals are still finding the fast and effective way to cure MRSA. Improving your immune system and practicing good hygiene is still the best MRSA prevention.