MRSA Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus
“Staph” is bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. About 25-30% of people carry staph on their bodies at any time. MRSA is a kind of staph that is resistant to some antibiotics. MRSA, and other staph, is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact or by contact with items that have been touched by people with staph, like towels or shared sports equipment. Most people with staph on their skin do not have infections or illness. They are “colonized” with staph. Staph infections start when the bacteria gets into a cut, scrape or other break in the skin.
Symptoms of infection from any staph including MRSA present with pimples, rashes, pus-filled boils that may be warm, painful, red or swollen. Impetigo can be caused by staph and/or MRSA. More serious infections such as severe skin infection, surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections and pneumonia can occur. Most of these are accompanied by fever, swelling and pain at a wound site, headache and fatigue.
Practicing good hygiene is the best way to prevent getting and spreading MRSA infections.
MRSA, though resistant to some antibiotics, can be effectively treated by others.
Good practices:
- Keep hands clean by washing frequently using soap and water or hand sanitizers
- Do not share towels, razors, soap, ointment
- Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered until healed
- Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages
- Avoid whirlpools and hot tubs, especially if one has scrapes or open wounds
- Wash sporting equipment in hot water and wipe off nonwashable items such as helmets, pads and skin guards
- Seek medical attention if you have a skin infection, especially one that presents as a spider bite or swells and gets red quickly
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