Health Department - M.R.S.A.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's):

• What is M.R.S.A.?
• What are the symptoms of M.R.S.A.?
• What to do if you suspect an M.R.S.A. infection?
• How is M.R.S.A. spread ?
• Who is most at risk?
• Where can I find more information?

What is M.R.S.A.?

MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, is a staph bacterium which causes infections in different parts of the body. Garden-variety staph are common bacteria which live on our bodies. Plenty of healthy people can carry staph without being infected. However staph can be a problem if it manages to get into the body, often through a cut. Staph is one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. M.R.S.A. is harder to treat than most strains of staphylococcus aureus (staph infections) because it's resistant to commonly used antibiotics.

Photo of cutaneous abscess on the shoulder caused by M.R.S.A. ( Photo courtesy of Gregory Moran, MD and obtained from www.cdc.gov)	Photo of cutaneous abscess on hand caused by M.R.S.A. (Photo courtesy of Gregory Moran, MD and obtained from www.cdc.gov)

What are the symptoms of M.R.S.A.?

The symptoms of MRSA depend on where you're infected. Most often, it causes mild infections on the skin creating pimples or boils. MRSA can cause serious skin infections, infect surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs, or the urinary tract.. Signs and symptoms may include ...

• Redness
• Swelling
• Pain
• Warm to the touch
• Full of pus or other drainage
• May be accompanied by a fever

Photo of a cutaneous abscess on the back caused by M.R.S.A. (Photo courtesy of Gregory Moran, MD and obtained from www.cdc.gov)

What to do if you suspect an M.R.S.A. infection :

If you or someone in your family experiences these signs and symptoms, cover the area with a bandage and contact your healthcare professional. It is especially important to contact your healthcare professional if signs and symptoms of an MRSA skin infection are accompanied by a fever.

How is M.R.S.A. spread?

MRSA is spread by contact. You could get MRSA by touching the skin of an infected person. You can also get MRSA by touching objects which have the bacteria on them.

Who is most at risk?

MRSA infections are most common among people who have weak immune systems and live in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care centers. MRSA is also showing up in healthy people who have not been in the care centers previously named. This type of MRSA is called CA-MRSA, or Community-Associated MRSA.

Studies have shown rates of CA-MRSA are growing fast. They have been identified among certain populations sharing close quarters or experience close skin-to-skin contact. Examples are team athletes, military recruits, and prisoners.

Where can I find more information?

For more information regarding M.R.S.A. please visit the Centers for Disease Control M.R.S.A. web page at http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/