MRSA

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• QWhat is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It causes a staph infection that is resistant to several common antibiotics.
  
  There are two types of infection. Hospital-associated MRSA happens to people in health care settings, for example hospitals. Community-associated MRSA happens to people who have close skin-to-skin contact with others, such as athletes involved in football and wrestling.

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• QIs there a cure for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  By definition, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is more difficult to treat than the average staph infection because it has developed a resistance to the antibiotics that typically treat staph infections. However, MRSA can be cured with antibiotics that do fight off the bacteria, such as vancomycin and linezolid. These may have to be given intravenously, depending on the type and severity of infection. Infections of the skin may be treated by draining if necessary and a topical antibiotic ointment. MRSA also made lead to complications like meningitis or infective endocarditis, in which case additional and more aggressive treatment may be needed. Surgery may be required to remove infected areas deeper in the body.

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• QWhat are the symptoms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  The most common symptoms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are tiny, pimple-like bumps, boils, or spots. People should keep an eye on the bumps and bites, because they can eventually turn into painful open sores. You may see boils or blisters filled with pus, or a spreading redness under your skin. Infected skin may feel warm to the touch.

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• QHow do I prevent getting or spreading MRSA?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  The following are ways to help protect yourself and others from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA):

  • Wash your hands is the best way to prevent infection
  • Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed
  • Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages
  • Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels, washcloths, razors, or clothes
  • Wash soiled sheets, towels and clothes in hot water with bleach and dry in a hot dryer

  If a wound appears to be infected, see a healthcare provider.

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• QWhat can I do to avoid infection while in the hospital?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  The most crucial tip you need to follow to prevent a hospital infection is one you've heard before. It's also one that's constantly ignored or forgotten. And it's one that the smartest patients take as seriously as monitoring the drugs they swallow and choosing the surgeons who try to repair them. It can be distilled to three clear words:
  
  Wash your hands.
  
  This order goes to everyone who may come in contact with you. They need to scrub their paws. Before touching you. Before touching your sheets, or your water cup, or your side table, or anything else that you could conceivably touch. If they're conscientious enough to put on new rubber gloves as well, that would be marvelous. But hand washing is mandatory.
  
  It's understandable that harried nurses and doctors occasionally forget to do this, but it's not acceptable. No hospital should have a room without a sink or an alcohol hand gel dispenser. No clinic or doctor's office either.
  
  Posting a sign in your room that says "Thanks very much for washing your hands" can help. This goes for all visitors, too. If you're able to get up, wash your hands with soap and water several times a day and after you touch each visitor.
  
  
• QHow is MRSA treated in critical care?

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  A Linda Martinez , Cardiac Rehabilitation, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  A critically ill person with a MRSA infection is placed in isolation. Anyone who enters must wear a gown or gloves, but not necessarily a mask. The patient is treated with antibiotics (often more than one antibiotic) that the bacteria is susceptible to.

• QHow is MRSA infection treated after surgery?

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  A Dr. Michael A. Zadeh, MD , Surgery, answered

  MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. This is a bacterial organism that is resistant to most convential antibiotics. Treatment of infection with MRSA is long term antibiotics. The two most commonly used agents are Vancomycin and Linezolid (Zyvox).
• QWhy is MRSA an antibiotic resistant infection?

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  A Dr. Ronald G. Glass, DDS , Dentist, answered

  Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is resistant to methicillin (a broad-spectrum antibiotic), because it has a functioning gene (the mecA gene). This gene codes for substances that protect the bacteria from the effects of the antibiotic. In addition, studies have shown that often, MRSA are also resistant to a number of other commonly used antibiotics. This is what makes MRSA infections so difficult to treat. Antibiotic susceptibility of MRSA can be and should be determined in the laboratory as soon as the bacteria are identified as a S. aureus.  Dr. G.

• QHow can I protect myself when caring for someone who has MRSA?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a very contagious bacterial infection, so if you know someone with the condition, you should take precautions. If you have a weakened immune system, you may want to completely avoid direct contact or always wear protective items like a face mask or gloves. For people with healthy immune systems, make sure that you're always keeping your skin clean, that you don't share items with infected persons, and that you're keeping up good hygiene habits. Avoid skin contact with infected people, particularly if you have open wounds.

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• QHow is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) spread?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  There are two types of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Health-care Associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) is spread in health-care facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, or centers for dialysis, where people have lowered immunity and are susceptible to such infection. Community Associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) is spread through skin contact such as people who participate in wrestling, child care providers, or people living in close quarters. These people, even if they are healthy, are at risk because of the frequent exposure they have to other people's skin.

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