Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus (staph) Aureus (MRSA)

Overview

Staph bacteria are common in the environment and on people’s skin. They can cause infections if they enter the body through cuts or wounds. Infections may be mild but can sometimes become severe enough to need hospitalization.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) (pronounced "mersa") refers to a type of staph that cannot be treated using the usual antibiotics. Instead, doctors have to use different antibiotics to find one that works. For this reason, it can be hard to treat infections caused by MRSA.

MRSA spreads through direct contact with infected skin or body fluids. It can also be spread through surfaces or items, like used bandages.

Symptoms & Diagnosis

MRSA is most commonly found in health care settings, especially among people with weakened immune systems. It can also occur in the community, though this does not happen as often. MRSA is sometimes seen in groups of people with lots of skin-on-skin contact, like people on sports teams, or children in schools.

The most common type of infection caused by MRSA is a skin infection. 

Skin infections:

• Appear as red, swollen, painful bumps or patches, sometimes filled with pus or fluid
• May feel warm to the touch
• May be mistaken for a spider bite
• May get larger or cause a fever (see a doctor right away if this happens)

MRSA is diagnosed through a lab test that looks to see if MRSA bacteria are present. 

Treatment

Since MRSA is resistant to the antibiotic methicillin, it can be hard to treat infections caused by these bacteria. But there are other antibiotics that can still work.

Other treatment may be needed to care for parts of the body affected by the infection or to help someone who has become seriously ill from an infection that has spread.

Prevention

• The best way to protect yourself from MRSA is by washing your hands regularly, or using hand sanitizer
• Shower after participating in sports or exercise, especially where you may have had close contact with others
• If you have a cut or scrape, clean it out promptly and keep it covered with a clean, dry bandage until it has healed

Reporting

MRSA is only reportable if there is a cluster of cases or an outbreak. Single cases of MRSA do not need to be reported. 

Resources

• CDC MRSA information