Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (patient information): Difference between revisions
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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus|here]]''' | ||
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type (strain) of staph bacteria that does not respond to some antibiotics that are commonly used to treat staph infections. | |||
==What are the symptoms of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus?== | ==What are the symptoms of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus?== | ||
Staph skin infections cause a red, swollen, and painful area on the skin. There may be drainage of pus or other fluids from the site. Symptoms are more likely to occur where the skin has been cut or rubbed, or in areas where there is more body hair. When patients get MRSA in health care facilities, the infections tend to be severe. These staph infections may be in the bloodstream, heart or lungs, urine, or at the site of a recent surgery. Symptoms of these severe infections include: | |||
* Chest pain | |||
* Chills | |||
* Cough | |||
* Fatigue | |||
* Fever | |||
* General ill feeling (malaise) | |||
* Headache | |||
* Muscle aches | |||
* Rash | |||
* Shortness of breath | |||
==What causes Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus?== | ==What causes Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus?== | ||
Staph. aureus is a common type of bacteria. In about 1 out of every 4 healthy people, the staph germ lives on the skin or in the nasal passages, but it does not cause any problems or infections. These people are said to be colonized with staph. If the staph bacteria enter a person's body through a cut, sore, catheter, or breathing tube, it may cause an infection. | |||
* The infection can be minor and local (for example, a pimple), or more serious (involving the heart, lungs, blood, or bone). | |||
* Serious staph infections are more common in people with a weak immune system. This includes patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities and people who are receiving kidney dialysis or cancer treatment. In the past, most staph infections responded to a gorup of antibiotics called beta-lactams. These antibiotics include methicillin and other, more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin. About 2 out of every 100 people carry a strain of staph that is resistant to these antibiotics. Being resistant means an antibiotic is unable to treat and cure an infection with this type of bacteria. This strain of staph is called MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. | |||
==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
MRSA infections often occur in people who are in the hospital or other health care setting. Those who have been hospitalized or had surgery within the past year are also at increased risk. MRSA bacteria are causing a higher number of the staph infections that begin in the hospital. MRSA infections that occur in the community are seen in otherwise healthy people who have not recently been in the hospital. Most of these infections involve the skin. | |||
* The infections have occurred among athletes who share equipment or personal items (such as towels or razors) and children in day care facilities. | |||
* Members of the military and those who get tattoos are also at risk. The number of community-acquired MRSA cases is increasing. | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Revision as of 14:45, 7 August 2011
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
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Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus |
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Where to find medical care for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus? |
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Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus On the Web |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type (strain) of staph bacteria that does not respond to some antibiotics that are commonly used to treat staph infections.
What are the symptoms of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus?
Staph skin infections cause a red, swollen, and painful area on the skin. There may be drainage of pus or other fluids from the site. Symptoms are more likely to occur where the skin has been cut or rubbed, or in areas where there is more body hair. When patients get MRSA in health care facilities, the infections tend to be severe. These staph infections may be in the bloodstream, heart or lungs, urine, or at the site of a recent surgery. Symptoms of these severe infections include:
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Fever
- General ill feeling (malaise)
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Rash
- Shortness of breath
What causes Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus?
Staph. aureus is a common type of bacteria. In about 1 out of every 4 healthy people, the staph germ lives on the skin or in the nasal passages, but it does not cause any problems or infections. These people are said to be colonized with staph. If the staph bacteria enter a person's body through a cut, sore, catheter, or breathing tube, it may cause an infection.
- The infection can be minor and local (for example, a pimple), or more serious (involving the heart, lungs, blood, or bone).
- Serious staph infections are more common in people with a weak immune system. This includes patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities and people who are receiving kidney dialysis or cancer treatment. In the past, most staph infections responded to a gorup of antibiotics called beta-lactams. These antibiotics include methicillin and other, more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin. About 2 out of every 100 people carry a strain of staph that is resistant to these antibiotics. Being resistant means an antibiotic is unable to treat and cure an infection with this type of bacteria. This strain of staph is called MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Who is at highest risk?
MRSA infections often occur in people who are in the hospital or other health care setting. Those who have been hospitalized or had surgery within the past year are also at increased risk. MRSA bacteria are causing a higher number of the staph infections that begin in the hospital. MRSA infections that occur in the community are seen in otherwise healthy people who have not recently been in the hospital. Most of these infections involve the skin.
- The infections have occurred among athletes who share equipment or personal items (such as towels or razors) and children in day care facilities.
- Members of the military and those who get tattoos are also at risk. The number of community-acquired MRSA cases is increasing.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Diagnosis
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Possible complications
Prevention
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