Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

(MRSA)

What is MRSA?

• MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that does not respond to some antibiotics that are commonly used to treat staph infections

• There are two types: 1. Community-aquired MRSA (CA-MRSA)2. Hospital-aquired MRSA (HA-MRSA)

Causes & Incidence

• Staph Aureus is a common type of bacteria

• In one out of four healthy people, staph bacteria live on the skin or in the nasal passages, posing no harm

• HOWEVER if the staph bacteria enter a person’s body through a cut, sore, catheter or breathing tube, it may cause an infection

Risk• HA-MRSA:- individuals with a compromised immune system, especially patients with respiratory illness and undergoing surgery

• CA-MRSA:- athletes- children in daycare - classroom contacts of an MRSA case- persons living in crowded areas- persons exposed to colonized pets, including veterinary workers- Persons with chronic skin conditions-Aboriginals-Having sex with multiple partners

Symptoms

• Signs of a skin infection: redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness of the skin (may look like a spider bite).

• Some people may develop boils, blisters, pustules or abscesses.

• The infection can cause a fever and/or chills.

• Complications: Pneumonia (chest pain, cough, shortness of breath and muscle aches)

Boils Folliculitis Impetigo Abscess

Signs and Tests

• Blood culture, • Culture from the infected

site• Gram stain • Culture of the drainage

from the infection• Sputum culture • Urine culture

Treatment

• Draining the skin infection (local skin infection)

• Specific antibiotics such as Bactrim and Vancomycin

• If serious – fluids and medications given through a vein, kidney dialysis, oxygen therapy

Prevention

• Hand hygiene (contact precaution)• Showering or washing after contact sports,

gym use, or sex may reduce the risk of skin-to-skin transmission.

• Take antibiotics only as prescribed by a healthcare provider

• Use lotion to keep skin moist; damaged skin can provide an opening for infection.

• Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages

• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered• Clean and disinfect items that are shared

before and after every use• Avoid sharing personal items

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