MRSA or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infections

Table of Contents

Abstract3

Introduction4

Literature Review5

Microbiology6

Epidemiology7

Clinical Presentation7

Treatment8

Prevention9

Conclusions and Recommendations10

References12

Abstract

Among the many bacterial skin infections that affect human beings, none have gained as much recognition or public awareness in recent years as the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. There have been numerous reports of serious infection and even death from these bacteria and the public and health care system are now in a state of alert to tackle this relatively new threat. The vast majority of MRSA infections are skin infections, although any organ system can be affected. Thus, this research paper aims to discuss the microbiology, epidemiology and clinical presentation of MRSA. Moreover it will also provide a brief discussion on the treatment and preventive aspects of MRSA.

MRSA or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infections

Introduction

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is an infection that is hard to cure. Doctors and nurses sometimes call it MRSA or "Mursa" for short (Boyce, 2009). People normally carry all sorts of germs inside their body and on their skin. The body usually controls these germs, so they do no harm. About 1 in 3 people have a germ on their skin called “staph.” In these people, staph usually causes no problems. But if they get a cut or a scrape, the germ can cause an infection. A staph infection can be mild, and affect only the skin. But if the infection goes deeper into the body, it can be very serious. These more serious infections tend to happen in young children, older adults, and people who cannot fight infection well. One especially dangerous form of staph infection is the antibiotic resistant form (Cohen, 2007). This form is difficult to treat and get rid of. It involves germs that have learned to outsmart the drugs normally used to kill them.

Many people carry MRSA on their skin without knowing it. A person can pick up the germ by touching another person who has MRSA on his or her skin, being nearby when a person with MRSA breathes, coughs, or sneezes, or touching a handle, table or other surface that has the germ on it. If a person gets a MRSA infection, he or she will probably have some skin problems (Cohen, 2007). He or She may have a red tender lump, and it might ooze pus or may have a cluster of bumps that look like pimples or insect bites. If the infection gets into the blood, it can give fever or make the person feel tired. If the doctor thinks a person has MRSA, he or she can take a swab from that person's skin and check it for germs. In some cases, blood tests, X-rays, and other tests may be needed.

A doctor can give special antibiotics and germ-killing medicines to treat this infection. If a patient gets treated with medicines to take at home, it is very important that he or she follows the directions exactly. It is very important for the patient to take all the pills given, even if he or she feels better before ...