An MRSA infection is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus . The bacteria can affect the skin, blood, bones, or lungs. A person can either be infected or colonized with MRSA. When a person is infected, the bacteria produce symptoms. A person colonized also has the bacteria, but it may not cause any symptoms.
There are two types of MRSA infection: community-acquired and nosocomial . People who have community-acquired MRSA infection were infected outside of a hospital setting (eg, dormitory). While nosocomial MRSA infection occurs in a hospital setting.
An MRSA infection can spread through several mechanisms:
The following factors increase your chance of infection. If you have any of these risk factors, tell your doctor:
If you experience any of these symptoms, do not assume it is attributed to an MRSA infection. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your doctor.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Tests may include the following:
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
Antibiotics are given to kill the bacteria.
Do the following to treat the infection and to keep it from spreading:
To help reduce your chance of getting an MRSA infection, take the following steps:
RESOURCES:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/DiseasesConditions/
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
The Hospital for Sick Children, Infectious Disease Division
http://www.sickkids.ca/infectiousdiseases
Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
References:
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated December 2, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2008.
Nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated November 7, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2008.
Questions and answers: the flu and staph infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flustaph.htm . Accessed October 25, 2006.
Staph infections. Nemours Foundation website. Available at: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/staphylococcus.html . Accessed October 25, 2006.
Last reviewed December 2008 by Larissa Lucas, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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