A bacterium that causes serious infections and is difficult to treat is called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In most cases, it causes skin infections, but may also affect other parts of the body (including the brain, lungs, heart, and bloodstream) and cause serious illnesses.
Usually, this bacterium spreads in healthcare settings (among people in hospitals or long-term care facilities). However, since the 1980s, this bacterium has affected people who have not been in a healthcare facility.
What is The Difference between a Staph Infection and MRSA?
MRSA is a specific type of staph infection that is resistant to most antibiotics. Generally, staph infections are more treatable than MRSA. Only a few antibiotics can destroy this bacterium. Discuss it with your physician for more details.
Types of MRSA Infection
- Pneumonia
- Osteomyelitis (infection of the bones and joints)
- Bacteremia (blood infection)
- SSTIs (skin and soft tissue infections)
- Endocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
Symptoms
The symptoms are often different among people with MRSA infections. It often depends on the following factors, including the severity and type of the infection, gender, age, and existing health problems. Check some general symptoms below:
- Pain
- Cough
- Fever
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Muscle or joint pain
- Angina (heart-related chest pain)
- Shortness of breath (also known as dyspnea)
- A skin rash that can be red, discolored, painful, swollen, or filled with pus or fluid
Sometimes, MRSA skin infections are mistaken for spider bites. If any of the previous symptoms occur, do not hesitate to see a doctor. Otherwise, it may lead to unpleasant outcomes.
Causes and Risk Factors
Generally, there are multiple causes of how strains of Staphylococcus aureus develop antibiotic resistance. While it may happen naturally in the environment, sometimes the bacterium develops a defense mechanism that blocks or destroys antibiotics. Moreover, MRSA can become resistant in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
Typically, Methicillin is a type of antibiotic related to Penicillin, but this bacterium is resistant to multiple types of antibiotics. These include:
- Other Penicillin medicines (such as Amoxicillin and Ampicillin)
- Cephalosporins (including Cefepime)
- Carbapenems (such as Meropenem and Imipenem)
While anyone may develop MRSA infections, the following factors may increase your risk even more. Check some examples below:
- Nonmedical drugs
- Live or travel in group conditions (such as military barracks, correctional facilities, and others)
- Health conditions that weaken the immune system (including cancer, HIV infection, diabetes, and kidney disease)
- Immunosuppressants
- Contact sports
- Medical devices that are inserted inside the body
- Long-term stay in the hospital or other healthcare facility
How Does MRSA Spread?
In some cases, this bacterium is carried by people on their skin or in their noses, but they never get sick from it. In this case, you can test positive for this infection but without any symptoms. Moreover, if you are colonized with MRSA, you can spread it to other people. Check below some ways in which this bacterium spreads to other people:
- Touching contaminated surfaces and then your mouth, nose, or eyes (this bacterium can survive on surfaces for weeks)
- Getting in contact with an infected or colonized person
- Sharing contaminated items (including bedsheets, clothes, medical or sports equipment, towels, shaving razors, and others)
- Sometimes people get this bacterium from medical devices inside the body, and contaminated medical equipment (these include breathing tubes, central venous lines, and others)
What Happens if MRSA Infections are Left Untreated?
People who develop this bacterial infection may also experience some complications, especially if it is left untreated. Check some of them below:
- Sepsis and septic shock – These are severe and life-threatening immune system responses to an infection. Without immediate treatment, it may lead to organ failure.
- Bloodstream infections – Usually, these infections occur when the MRSA enters the bloodstream. The most common symptoms are fever and confusion.
- Pneumonia – This is a severe form of lung infection that may cause breathing problems and a severe cough.
- Deep tissue and bone infections – Septic arthritis (infection in the joints), osteomyelitis (infection in the bones), or deep surgical wounds.
- Endocarditis – This is a serious infection of the heart valves.
- Necrotizing Fasciitis – This complication destroys soft tissue.
- Device-related infections
The previous list does not contain a full list of MRSA complications, but you can consult with your doctor about ways to reduce the risk or even prevent them. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are sure ways to prevent the previous complications.
Is There a Way to Prevent MRSA Infections?
You can consider the following tips to reduce the risk of MRSA infections. These include:
- Regularly washing hands with soap and warm water
- Disinfecting surfaces with chloride or alcohol based products
- Regular checkups, especially if you experience infection symptoms
- Sterilizing medical devices
Your physician may also recommend additional tips that help to prevent CA-MRSA. Check some examples below:
- It is not allowed to reuse needles used for injections
- Do not share your personal items (such as towels, razors, and others)
- If you are working or participating in activities that involve an increased risk of MRSA, immediately take a shower
- Keep wounds clean and bandaged
- You should also wash sheets, towels, and workout clothes in the recommended water temperature
Diagnosis
Physicians often begin the diagnosis of MRSA infections with a physical examination to check for irregularities linked to the disease. They may also ask some questions about your medical history and symptoms. However, doctors often perform the following tests to exclude other disorders that cause similar symptoms. Check some examples below:
- Skin or nasal swab
- Culture test – During this test, doctors will take a sample of bodily fluids for testing to check for MRSA. They often take samples of blood, tissue from a wound, urine, or sputum (mucus from the lungs)
Treatment
This condition is often treated with care for open wounds and finding antibiotics that can destroy this bacterium. Wound care often includes draining fluid, removing infected tissue, and sometimes includes the removal of infected medical devices. However, physicians usually treat MRSA infections with IV (intravenous) antibiotics in the hospital or other healthcare facilities. Check below some types of antibiotics that are often used to treat these infections:
- Rifampin
- Ceftaroline
- Vancomycin
- Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX)
- Clindamycin
- Daptomycin
- Doxycycline
- Delafloxacin
- Linezolid
In some cases, physicians call this bacterium a “superbug” because of its defense mechanism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need to be isolated if I have MRSA?
If you get treatment in a hospital, you may be in a room with special restrictions that will help prevent the spread of MRSA. Moreover, physicians may recommend taking extra precautions for visitors, such as wearing gloves, masks, or gowns.
How long is MRSA contagious?
This bacterial infection is contagious as long as it can be detected by tests. To determine if you are no longer contagious, physicians often perform a swab in the nose or skin to check for MRSA.
Can MRSA be cured?
While this bacterium is resistant to most antibiotics, it can still be cured. Approximately 50-60% of people are cured with antibiotics. Unfortunately, more serious infections (such as pneumonia, endocarditis, and bacteremia) can worsen quickly until your physician finds the right treatment. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
