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MRSA Fast Facts
 

 
Daily Bread
The LORD...will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:9-11
What is MRSA?
MRSA is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria that is resistant to some antibiotics. Staph aureus is a very common type of bacteria that lives on the skin and sometimes inside the noses of some individuals. A person may carry the bacteria on their skin and not show any signs of infection. The bacteria are most commonly spread by skin-to-skin contact and sometimes by sharing personal grooming items such as towels or razors or by touching surfaces that have come into contact with someone else’s infections. It can also be transmitted during contact sports (wrestling, football, basketball, etc.)

What are the symptoms?
The symptoms can include cellulites (infection of the skin or the fat and tissues that lie immediately beneath the skin, usually starting as small red bumps in the skin), boils, abscesses or other related skin infections.

Keep an eye on minor skin problems such as pimples, insect bites, cuts and scrapes—especially in children. If wounds become infected, see your doctor. Ask to have any skin infection tested for MRSA before starting antibiotic therapy, as drugs that treat ordinary staph are not effective against MRSA.

Is MRSA treatable?
Yes. Skin infections can often be treated by a physician with hot soaks, drainage and/or antibiotics. MRSA often appears as a boil that resembles a spider bite with a dark center surrounded by redness and swelling. Sometimes it can be accompanied by fever and chills. Watch minor skin problems such as pimples, insect bites, cuts and scrapes. If wounds become infected, visit a physician. Infections could spread to the bloodstream if not treated by a physician.

What do I do if I think I have MRSA?
See your health care provider, who can provide the appropriate testing to determine if you have MRSA.

How can I protect myself and my family from MRSA?
  • Always practice good hygiene (keep your hands clean by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and showering immediately after participating in exercise or sport activities).
  • Cover cuts or abrasions with a clean, dry bandage until healed.
  • Avoid sharing personal items (towels, razors, athletic clothing or uniforms) that come into contact with your bare skin.
  • Use a barrier (clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment such as weight-training benches or mats.
  • Frequently clean surfaces that come into direct contact with people’s skin (weight equipment, benches, mats, etc.).


Published: Dec. 3, 2007
Source: Dr. Steve Threlkeld, infectious disease specialist
Writer: Elizabeth Todd Bartholomew, MA, APR


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