Learning About Preventing Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection

What is a MRSA infection?

MRSA (say "MER-suh") stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is a type of bacteria that can cause staph infections.

Staph bacteria normally live on your skin and in your nose, usually without causing problems. Sometimes the bacteria cause infection. Usually you can treat this infection with antibiotics.

But MRSA infections are harder to treat than infections caused by other bacteria. This is because antibiotics, such as methicillin, may not be able to kill MRSA. For some people, especially those who have a weakened immune system or other health conditions, MRSA infections can become serious.

MRSA can spread from person to person. It is commonly spread from the hands of someone who has MRSA. This could be anyone in a health care setting or in the community.

MRSA is more likely to develop when antibiotics are used too often. Over time, bacteria can change and become resistant to treatment with these antibiotics so they no longer work well.

How can you prevent MRSA infection?

Practice good hygiene

• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and clean, running water. You can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Hand-washing is the best way to avoid spreading germs.
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage. Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.
• Don't share personal items such as towels or razors.
• If you are in the hospital, remind doctors and nurses to wash their hands before they touch you.

Use antibiotics wisely

• Always ask your doctor if antibiotics are the best treatment. They can help treat bacterial infections, but they can't cure viral infections.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics. Using only part of the medicine may cause antibiotic-resistant bacteria to develop.
• Do not save any antibiotics, and do not use antibiotics that were prescribed for someone else.

Don't spread an infection

• Cover your wound with clean, dry bandages. Follow your doctor's instructions on caring for your wound.
• Do not share towels, washcloths, clothing, or other items that touched your wound or bandage.
• Keep shared areas clean. Use a disinfectant to wipe surfaces that other people touch. These include countertops, doorknobs, and light switches.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of a MRSA infection depend on where the infection is:

• If the infection is in a wound, that area of your skin may be red or tender.
• If the infection is in the skin, you may have boils or abscesses. It may look like you have been bitten by a spider or insect.

How is it diagnosed?

If your doctor thinks that you are infected with MRSA, a sample of your infected wound, blood, or urine will be sent to a lab. The lab will grow the bacteria and then test to see which kinds of antibiotics kill the bacteria. This test may take several days.

You may also be tested if your doctor thinks that you may be a MRSA carrier. A MRSA carrier is a person who has the bacteria living on the skin and in the nose but who is not sick. This test is done by taking a sample with a swab from the inside of the nose.

How is MRSA treated?

Your doctor may:

• Drain your wound.
• Give you antibiotics as pills or through a needle put in your vein (intravenous, I.V.). If your doctor prescribed antibiotic pills, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Give you an ointment to put on your skin or inside your nose.
• Have you wash your skin daily with an antiseptic soap.

You may have to stay in the hospital for treatment. In the hospital, you may be kept apart from others to reduce the chances of spreading the bacteria. When your doctors and nurses are caring for you, they may take special care, such as wearing gloves and gowns. If you have a MRSA pneumonia, they may also wear masks.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and contact your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.