What Exactly is MRSA?

MRSA is a kind of staph infection. MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, but some people call it simply staph.

This type of staph infection developed in hospitals as a secondary infection which was resistant to the commonly used broad spectrum of antibiotics. MRSA was the first appearance of a bacteria that seemed to resist all, but the most powerful forms of antibiotic treatment. This strain of staph is potentially fatal, especially in people who already have a weakened immune system.

What is interesting is that staph bacteria are found naturally in the nose or on the skin areas in about 33% of the population. You can stay healthy while carrying this bacteria, but be labeled “colonized,” which is really just a way to say that you have the potential to get sick with this staph. In addition, you can pass staph along to others, while not getting sick yourself.

Most people who get staph in an open wound won’t get sick. But if you are already in the hospital with something else, your immune system is vulnerable and may not be able to fight off the staph infection, as it normally would. And since MRSA is resistant to the normal antibiotics, it is a serious infection to get. You will see the MRSA predominantly in nursing homes, hospitals and rehabilitation centers and it normally causes skin infections as well as pneumonia.

If the MRSA starts in the skin first, you will likely notice red bumps that resemble pimples or even boils. These can become deep infections rather quickly which in turn may require a doctor to drain the wound surgically. MRSA has also been known to breach the skin and enter the body to create serious infections in the blood, heart, bones and more. Any surgical incision site is especially vulnerable.

Causes of MRSA

Unnecessary antibiotic use is the primary cause of the MRSA in becoming so serious a health threat. Too often, antibiotics have been prescribed to people who had viral infections, something that it doesn’t treat. As a result, bacteria of all kinds build up resistance against these medications.

Another reason why antibiotics are not as effective against MRSA is because these same drugs can often be found in the livestock and poultry you consume. Farmers and ranchers use antibiotics to treat their livestock to keep them healthy. Only within the past few years have medical experts realized that is practice is contributing to the antibiotic resistant bacteria like MRSA.

Of course, every so often, genetic mutations occur as well in bacteria. Life is always evolving and microorganisms are no exception. Often, a strain of bacteria mutates more quickly, than new antibiotics can be produced. Therein lies another reason why there are so few antibiotic medications which work on staph infections.

Treatment Options

To avoid the few drugs like vancomycin from becoming useless in the fight against staph, you should try and avoid the risk factors which can cause MRSA. For instance, if you require hospitalization, try and have someone with you at all times to look out for your interests such as making sure that all nursing and medical staff wash their hands thoroughly and wear a mask and gown to avoid spreading staph.

Also, do not share towels, razors or anything else that could have you swapping epithelial skin cells with another person. This is one way staph is contracted. If you participate in sports, make sure that all sores, scrapes and other open skin or wounds are effectively covered, so as to avoid contracting staph from another player. There are countless ways to avoid MRSA; all it takes is diligence, good hygiene and common sense.

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What Exactly is MRSA related articles from the blogosphere…

Grant Hill Interview Reveals Fighter On and Off the Court | suns …

“As a result of going through that, and being a parent myself and having young children, I want to try to work hard to educate people on what exactly MRSA is and what exactly it can do,” Hill said. “What it can do is it can kill you.” …

Publish Date: 09/14/2010 5:48

http://suns.basketball-news-update.com/grant-hill-interview-reveals-fighter-on-and-off-the-court/

War against superbugs: A coating that can kill MRSA upon contact …

In an interview with Dordick, he talked about how the MRSA-killing paint attacks: That is pretty amazing that you can create a nano surface that has an enzyme capable of killing MRSA and doesn’t lead to resistance. What exactly is …

Publish Date: 08/18/2010 13:05

http://www.smartplanet.com/technology/blog/science-scope/war-against-superbugs-a-coating-that-is-resistant-to-mrsa/3575/

MRSA Topic » MRSA – Colonization vs. Infection

This is exactly the reason why initiatives are popping up all over aiming to have all patients screened for MRSA prior to admittance into hospitals. There are simply too many immunocompromised patients, too much movement, and too great …

Publish Date: 09/09/2010 17:26

http://mrsatopic.com/2010/09/mrsa-colonization-vs-infection/