Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus & Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus



Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus & Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), also known as oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ORSA) multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a bacterium which can cause severe infections in a human body. These infections are typically found in the skin and nose parts of the body. These infections, often, are hard to treat. This term, MRSA, refers to strains which refuse to accept several antibiotics, which also includes methicillin. The germs of MRSA are found to easily transfer from person to person (Medical News Today, 2009).

Signs and Symptoms

The germs of Staphyloccocus aureus are harmless. However, once these germs enter into the human body, then it can cause problems for people suffering from such infections. These bacteria can go into the body either through a small cut or even a wound.

The infection caused by such bacteria can be defendable if the affected person has a strong immune system. However, people with relatively weak immune systems are likely not to defend against these germs. There are also such people having gone through a surgery, they also become vulnerable against these germs. These bacteria can cause septic wounds, impetigo, boils, abscesses, toxic shock syndrome, and heart-valve problems. In extreme situations, it can even cause death to a person if not diagnosed and treated on time (WebMD, 2012).

Those having been affected by such bacteria along with their weak immune system need to be treated with antibiotics. These antibiotics help the affected persons to get rid of with the infection caused by the bacteria. The foremost concern, however, is associated with the MRSA strains of bacteria. These bacteria resist against most antibiotics which usually helps patients treat against the infections caused by Staphyloccocus aureus.

The bacteria of MRSA can be discovered through swabbing of nostrils. This act of washing down the nostril separates the bacteria from inside. The affected persons must be screened for infection and also be admitted to the hospital for precautionary measures. This act helps in reducing the chances of the bacteria of MRSA being spread among more people.

After discovering the symptoms of MRSA, the bacteria can be able to significantly progress in the other parts of the body within 24-48 hour time frame. However, if the infection is not treated within 72 hours, this may cause serious trouble to the affected person because after 72 hours this bacterium becomes resistant to treatment.

The initial signs of MRSA can be seen as the appearance of small red bumps in the skin, which seems like a person is bitten by the spider or is boiled. This is followed by fever, and also some unusual rashes in the infected part of the body. This infection becomes so much painful with the passage of time that after one point it eventually opens into deep, pus-filled boils.

Risk Factors

The bacterium of MRSA is so much vulnerable, and it also spread among the other people very rapidly. People with weak immune system, or facing with diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, severe asthma, ...