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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

What is a Staphylococcus aureus?

Staphylococcus aureus, or "staph," is a type of bacteria that naturally exists in the environment, including on people's skin or in the nose of 30 to 50 percent of healthy people. If the bacteria enter the body through a cut or scrape, the staph bacteria can cause skin infections that look like pimples or boils. Infections caused by staph might be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. Most staph infections are minor and can be treated without antibiotics.

What is MRSA?

If the bacteria has mutated so that certain antibiotics related to penicillin no longer work against it, then it is called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. MRSA is a common cause of hospital-acquired infections, and it also sometimes causes infections even in people who have not been in a hospital recently. If antibiotics are necessary as part of treatment, it is harder to treat MRSA infections because they are resistant to some commonly used antibiotics. There are, however, some antibiotics available to treat the infection.

Who is at risk for MRSA infection?

Anyone can be infected with staph or MRSA, but infections occur most frequently among people in hospitals and long-term care facilities who have weakened immune systems. Other individuals with a higher risk of developing MRSA infections include people who live in crowded settings where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact, sharing of personal items, or contact with those who have poor personal hygiene. Athletes, military members living in barracks, and people who inject drugs are at higher risk of MRSA infection.

What are the symptoms of MRSA infection?

MRSA infections can cause a broad range of symptoms depending on the part of the body that is infected. Broken skin, such as scrapes or cuts or even surgical wounds, is often the site of a MRSA infection resulting in redness, swelling, and tenderness, sometimes accompanied by a fever. In some instances, MRSA can cause pneumonia or bone, joint, heart, or bloodstream infections, including sepsis, but these more serious infections are rare in healthy people. Many people carry MRSA on their skin or in their nose without ever having any symptoms.

How does MRSA spread?

MRSA is generally spread through direct contact with someone who has MRSA, even if that person does not have any symptoms of infection. Bacteria can also be spread by contact with surfaces and objects that have been touched by people with MRSA.

How can surfaces and objects be cleaned to prevent MRSA from spreading?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a list of disinfectant products effective against MRSA. More information about these products can be found on the EPA website. When using a disinfectant, always read and carefully follow the directions on the product label.

What should I do if I suspect MRSA infection in myself or a family member?

People with suspected or confirmed MRSA infections should:

Wash hands often with soap and water.
Not pick, scratch, or squeeze pimples or boils.
Keep wounds covered, particularly skin infections that produce pus.
Carefully dispose of soiled dressings/bandages. Heavily soiled bandages or dressings should be placed in a plastic bag before discarding into the trash.
Not participate in sports or other activities that involve close contact if the person cannot maintain adequate hygiene and keep wounds covered with clean, dry bandages during activity.
Wash clothes, towels, sheets, uniforms, etc. and any other soiled items using hot water and laundry detergent, and dry on the hottest cycle after each use. Pre-wash or rinse any item that has been contaminated with body fluids.
Contact your health care provider, especially if the symptoms include a fever or do not improve within 48 hours.

How are MRSA infections diagnosed?

MRSA infections can be diagnosed when a doctor obtains a sample or specimen from the site of infection and submits it to a laboratory for testing.

What is the treatment for MRSA?

Although MRSA is resistant to some commonly used antibiotics, MRSA infections can usually be treated effectively using other types of antibiotics and draining any pus at the infected site.

How can I protect myself from MRSA and staph infections?

It is important to practice good hygiene. You can protect yourself from infections by:

Keeping your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Keeping cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
Avoiding contact with other people's wounds or bandages.
Practicing good personal hygiene including showering thoroughly each day and as soon as possible after physical activity, direct contact sports, or working out. Make sure to use a clean, dry towel.
Avoiding sharing personal items such as towels, clothing, or razors.
Avoiding sharing any topical preparations (i.e., ointments, balm, lotions, deodorants, antibiotic creams).
Avoiding unnecessary shaving, particularly near wounds, because shaving can create tiny abrasions that can allow bacteria to enter.
In health care settings, health care workers should wear disposable gloves, and sometimes a gown, depending on the type of contact. Patients should also wash their hands to avoid spreading bacteria to others.