We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. This type of bacteria is resistant to many different antibiotics.
However, when they begin to multiply uncontrollably, a MRSA infection can occur. MRSA is very contagious and can be spread through direct contact with a person who has the infection.
Though a MRSA infection can be serious, it may be treated effectively with certain antibiotics. HA-MRSA is associated with infections that are contracted in medical facilities, such as hospitals or nursing homes. You can get this type of MRSA infection through direct contact with an infected wound or contaminated hands. You can also get the infection through contact with contaminated linens or poorly sanitized surgical instruments. CA-MRSA is associated with infections transmitted through close personal contact with a person who has the infection or through direct contact with an infected wound.
This type of MRSA infection may also develop because of poor hygiene , such as infrequent or improper handwashing. Areas that have increased body hair, such as the armpits or back of the neck, are more likely to be infected. Areas that have been cut, scratched, or rubbed are also vulnerable to infection because your biggest barrier to germs — your skin — has been damaged. The infection usually causes a swollen, painful bump to form on the skin. The bump may resemble a spider bite or pimple.
It often has a yellow or white center and a central head. Sometimes an infected area is surrounded by an area of redness and warmth, known as cellulitis. Pus and other fluids may drain from the affected area.
Some people also experience a fever. Diagnosis begins with a medical history assessment and physical examination. Samples will also be taken from the site of infection.
The types of samples obtained to help diagnose MRSA include the following:. Wound samples are obtained with a sterile cotton swab and placed in a container.
Sputum is the substance that comes up from the respiratory tract during coughing. A sputum culture analyzes the sputum for the presence of bacteria, cell fragments, blood , or pus.
People who can cough can usually provide a sputum sample easily. Those who are unable to cough or who are on ventilators may need to undergo a respiratory lavage or bronchoscopy to obtain a sputum sample. People who inject drugs are 16 times more likely to develop a serious staph infection.
More about injection drug use and risk of infection on this factsheet pdf icon [PDF — 2 pages]. The symptoms of a MRSA infection depend on the part of the body that is infected. For example, people with MRSA skin infections often can get swelling, warmth, redness, and pain in infected skin. In most cases it is hard to tell if an infection is due to MRSA or another type of bacteria without laboratory tests that your doctor can order.
Some MRSA skin infections can have a fairly typical appearance and can be confused with a spider bite. However, unless you actually see the spider, the irritation is likely not a spider bite. Most S. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. General Information. Minus Related Pages. On This Page. What is MRSA? In Healthcare Settings In places such as a hospital or nursing home, MRSA can cause severe problems such as bloodstream infections , pneumonia , or surgical site infections.
Who is at risk? How is MRSA spread in the community? For years, antibiotics have been prescribed for colds, flu and other viral infections that don't respond to these drugs. Even when antibiotics are used appropriately, they contribute to the rise of drug-resistant bacteria because they don't destroy every germ they target. Bacteria live on an evolutionary fast track, so germs that survive treatment with one antibiotic soon learn to resist others.
Because hospital and community strains of MRSA generally occur in different settings, the risk factors for the two strains differ. MRSA infections can resist the effects of many common antibiotics, so they're more difficult to treat. This can allow the infections to spread and sometimes become life-threatening. MRSA infections may affect your:. Visitors and health care workers caring for people in isolation may need to wear protective garments. They also must follow strict hand hygiene procedures.
For example, health care workers can help prevent HA-MRSA by washing their hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizer before and after each clinical appointment. Hospital rooms, surfaces and equipment, as well as laundry items, need to be properly disinfected and cleaned regularly.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA infection is caused by a type of staph bacteria that's become resistant to many of the antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections.
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