Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that causes infections and doesn’t respond to methicillin and sometimes other antibiotics. This resistance makes MRSA infections trickier to treat compared to those caused by non-resistant bacteria.
About a third of people have the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on their skin, and about 2 in 100 carry MRSA specifically. For most, it’s harmless, but if the bacteria spread, it can lead to symptoms.
Skin infections from MRSA are more common than bloodstream infections, known as bacteremia. MRSA symptoms are similar to other bacterial infections, like swelling, redness, or fever, depending on where the infection is in the body. Although limited, antibiotics are the usual treatment. Good hygiene and protective measures can prevent many MRSA infections.
Some individuals are more vulnerable to MRSA, including older adults, nursing home residents, and those with weakened immune systems or organ dysfunctions. Additional care may be required to shield these at-risk groups.
There are primarily two types of MRSA infections: hospital-acquired (HA MRSA) and community-acquired (CA MRSA). Each type is contracted in different settings and may vary in appearance and behavior, affecting treatment approaches.
HA MRSA is contracted in healthcare settings like hospitals and nursing homes, initially identified in 1961 among hospitalized patients. It mainly affects those with weakened immune systems and can spread from the skin to the blood, bones, or organs, making it severe and difficult to handle.
CA MRSA, on the other hand, occurs outside of medical facilities in places such as gym locker rooms and military barracks. First identified in the late 1980s, it usually presents as a skin infection but can also affect the lungs, even in people with healthy immune systems.
MRSA symptoms differ based on the infection site. Outside of healthcare settings, it usually appears as a skin infection, often mistaken for a spider bite when the cause isn’t clear. On the skin, it can cause redness, swelling, and pus-filled boils.
MRSA can lead to pneumonia, where the lungs fill with fluid or pus. It can also affect bones and joints, causing osteomyelitis or arthritis, leading to painful swelling and limited joint mobility. If it enters the bloodstream, MRSA can affect areas like heart valves and medical implants, exhibiting symptoms like fatigue and fever.
Sometimes, people carry MRSA without showing symptoms but can still pass it to others who may become infected. MRSA infections generally arise when this antibiotic-resistant bacteria enter through skin cuts or abrasions. A significant proportion of the population carries the bacteria unknowingly.
Direct contact with someone who has MRSA often causes transmission, but it can also spread indirectly through contaminated objects like towels and workout equipment. The risk of contracting MRSA is higher from someone with an active infection than from a carrier.
Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing a MRSA infection. If a healthcare provider suspects MRSA, they might test blood, sputum, urine, or wound scrapings to confirm. For infections in places like the lungs, joints, or bones, imaging tests along with blood work can be necessary.
Antibiotics are the main treatment for MRSA. Providers can determine the most effective one based on lab results. Oral antibiotics are usually taken for 7-10 days at home, but in a hospital setting, IV antibiotics are administered, followed by oral or IV treatment for some time afterward. It’s crucial to complete the prescribed antibiotics course as directed, even if symptoms improve.
For skin infections, healthcare providers may need to drain pus to relieve pressure and assist healing. It’s important to have a professional handle this to avoid further infection.
MRSA infections can often be prevented at home and in healthcare settings through several measures. If MRSA enters the bloodstream, it can lead to sepsis, a serious, life-threatening condition. Symptoms of sepsis should prompt immediate emergency care.
While MRSA can sometimes be managed effectively with antibiotics, it remains a serious infection that can cause complications like sepsis. Certain groups, including seniors and those with organ dysfunction, have higher risks of severe outcomes. However, preventative steps can greatly reduce the risk of MRSA infection.
People can spread MRSA while carrying it, but those with active infections are more contagious. MRSA can survive on bedding, so any contaminated linens should be thoroughly washed and dried before reuse. The infection can develop quickly, within 4-10 days of exposure, and untreated MRSA may lead to severe complications or death.
