Download Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
By: Raigan Chambers
What is MRSA?
(MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for several
difficult-to-treat infections in humans. MRSA
is any strain of Staphylococcus aureus that has
developed, through the process of natural
selection, resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics,
which include the penicillins (methicillin,
dicloxacillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, etc.) and the
cephalosporins.
MRSA can effect all layers of skin if not
treated quickly enough. If MRSA is in the
body too long it can spread to the blood,
bones, and lungs, causing much larger
infections in the body and could eventually
lead to death.
Signs and Symptoms
> Fever and chills
> Coughing, shortness of breath
> Bone pain, stiffness, or tenderness
> Often painful open sores, boils, or lumps
under your skin
> Headache or confusion
Leading Cause of MRSA
Staph is a common bacteria that lives in our
body. In fact, 25-30% of people already have
the bacteria in their noses. Staph can become a
problem if it manages to get into the body.
This can happen through a cut or big wounds.
Staph first appeared in Hospitals and
eventually found its way to locker rooms,
weight rooms, and training facilities as well.
Treatment
Staph can usually be treated with antibiotics but over
the years, some strains, like MRSA, have become
resistant to antibiotics including, methicillin,
amoxicillin, penicillin, oxacillin and many others. Most
doctors will drain the infection and prescribe antibiotics
unless it is susceptible. They will also obtain a culture
to determine how to treat the infection. Prevention of
MRSA is possible by having good hygiene practices
and avoiding skin contact with infected people. Also
wear masks and gloves when visiting someone in the
hospital and ALWAYS cover or band aid skin
abrasions, cuts, burns, or any lacerations that are
exposed to prevent MRSA from entering the body.
Worst Case Scenario
If it becomes too resistant to antibiotics, the
infection will spread to your blood or even
bones. Roughly 130,000 Americans are
infected with MRSA and 5,000 will die from
it each year.
> Staph bacteria are one of the most common
causes of skin infection in the U.S.
>2% of the population is already colonized
with MRSA
> According to the CDC a estimated 10,800
deaths in the U.S. are caused by staph, 5,500
of which are linked to MRSA
Works Cited
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http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-mrsa-methicillin-resistant-staphylococcusaureus
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-closer-look-at-mrsa
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