Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus is the expansion of MRSA infection, which is caused by bacteria belonging to the group of Staphylococcus. It affects the skin of the person and the underlying tissues causing pus formation. It appears like pus, boils in the hair follicles of the skin and in the form of large abscesses with heavy discharge of pus.
It can also affect eyelids causing infection known as sty and impetigo which is infection caused in skin or underlying tissue. The blisters begin as tiny red bumps with itching sensation and later on develop into infectious pus. The infection is contagious and there is every chance for the patient to spread the infection to others by sharing of towels and bath-soaps etc.
Antibiotics are considered to be the effective treatment for MRSA infection. When the individual gets painful pus on the skin or tissue, one should not delay in visiting the doctor. The course of antibiotic drugs has to be completed in full to destroy the bacterial growth. In case you discontinue the medicines, the bacteria might survive to cause further infection.
What Is MRSA Infection?
MRSA is a bacterial infection caused by staph bacteria that can tolerate many of the common antibiotics given under normal conditions. It can cause painful bumps or blisters on the skin that gives out pus like fluid.
MRSA Infection Types
MRSA –HA infection commonly occurs in nursing homes and clinics and in hospital settings. It is typically related with many invasive procedures or intravenous tubing. The main target of this type of MRSA is people who are hospitalized for long-term. The infection spreads through contaminated lines or improperly sanitized surgical tools. This can cause serious blood infections in patients. Next type of MRSA occurs in healthy people who develops painful skin boil. The earlier one is hospital acquired and the later one being community acquired. CA-MRSA spreads through skin contact with infected person who maintains poor hygiene.
Symptoms Of CA-MRSA
Painful skin blisters or bumps develop in the affected areas of the skin. This largely occurs in regions with excess of body hair like armpits and back of the neck. The bacteria can easily enter your body through small cuts or wounds in the skin. The bumps look more or less like a pimple or spider bite. On close look, these bumps are round shaped with distinct border and yellow/white center. The affected skin area may become tender and warm to touch. These bumps can give out pus like fluids.
Symptoms Of HA-MRSA
This can cause serious complications like pneumonia and blood infections like sepsis. Symptoms like rash, chills, fever, muscle pain, persistent cough and fatigue are common in this type. In more severe cases, chest pain and breathing problem may occur.
MRSA Infection Causes
MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus) infection is caused by Staph bacteria. Actually they are normally found on our skin and nose. But sometimes they multiply in large number in uncontrollable fashion causing infection.
Overuse Of Antibiotics
Many people tend to take antibiotics unnecessarily. For years together antibiotics were wrongly prescribed for common cold or flu and even for viral infections. On repeated usage of these antibiotics our body has become resistant to the drugs and they are not powerful in destroying the bacteria anymore.
Risk Factors
- Hospital Acquired MRSA – Staying in hospital for long periods, and using intravenous tubing or catheters for long-tem or having weakened immunity makes one prone to HA-MRSA infection. Nurses, surgeons and doctors are also grouped under this category.
- CA-MRSA – Living in poor hygiene conditions like military camps or day care centers increases the risk of community associated MRSA infection. Homosexual men have increased risk of MRSA.
Complications
More severe form of staph bacteria is difficult to treat since it is resistant to common antibiotics. In such cases it can cause life threatening problems affecting your lungs, heart, bones and joints spreading infection to the entire body.
Pictures of MRSA Infection
Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of MRSA Infection
Tests
The doctor would collect complete medical history of the patient after completing the physical exam. He would collect tissue sample from the skin for testing in the lab. Wound culture is done by taking samples from the wound. Sputum culture is done by testing the sputum that comes out while coughing. In addition blood and urine culture may also be done to confirm the diagnosis.
MRSA Infection Treatment
- Hospital acquired and community acquired bacterial infection are treated differently.
- For CA-MRSA powerful antibiotics are prescribed for treating the skin bumps and rashes. In severe cases the doctor would drain off the pus by making an incision on the site of infection. Often this can be done in office setting.
- For hospital acquired MRSA infection powerful antibiotics are injected intravenously to prevent any complications. Depending on the intensity of symptoms method of treatment also varies. Patients infected with MRSA are placed in separate rooms to prevent further spreading of infection.
- Visitors and doctors, nurses who attend the patient should use precautionary measures like wearing protective masks and following strict hygiene.
Tips For Prevention
- No vaccine is available so far for preventing MRSA bacteria. However one can take enough safety measures and follow good hygiene to prevent this infection.
- Wash your hands properly before taking food and after using the toilet.
- If you have any cuts or wounds in your skin keep them covered.
- Do not share towels and bedding with others.
