Getting to Know: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infection is a more severe and potentially life threatening infection that most commonly occur among patients in the health care settings. It’s a kind of staph bacteria which is resistant to specific antibiotics named beta-lactams. These include the antibiotics methicillin and other more common antibiotics being used such as amoxicillin, penicillin, and oxacillin. 

What causes MRSA?

It is usually spread by having contact with someone's skin infections or items that are contaminated with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infections.

In the Community

• Close skin-skin contact
• Openings in the skin (cuts and abrasions)
• Contaminated items and surfaces
• Crowded living conditions
• Poor hygiene

In Healthcare and Hospital Settings

• Infected patients
• Infected body sites of the healthcare personnel
• Use of items, devices, and environmental surfaces which are contaminated with body fluids containing MRSA

What are the signs and symptoms?

Most MRSA infections are seen in skin infections. It appears as boils or pustules that are often painful, red, swollen, and may have pus or other drainage. It is commonly occurs in sites of visible skin trauma like abrasions and cuts. Also, areas that are covered by hair like beard area of men, armpit, back of neck, groin, and buttocks.

Why is it life-threatening infection?

In severe cases in healthcare settings, MRSA infections cause bloodstream infection, infections in the surgical site, and pneumonia.

How to Prevent MRSA?

Appropriate hand washing with water and soap

Hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rubs

How to protect yourself from MRSA?

If you are a healthcare provider and taking care of a patient with MRSA infection, you should know how to protect yourself from getting infected.

• Hand hygiene before and after touching your patient
• Use clean gloves
• Wear gown
• Wear disposable mask