Health Service Medical Information

MRSA

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus is an infection caused by the common bacterium staphylococcus aureus which is resistant to treatment with the antibiotic methicillin.  Most infections caused by staph are skin infections, but more serious cases can also cause infections of the blood and joints or can cause pneumonia.  It is spread through contact with secretions by skin-to-skin or skin-to-contaminated item-to-skin or mucous membranes.   Conditions which raise risk of disease are crowding, skin-to-skin contact, compromised skin, contaminated surfaces, and lack of cleanliness.

Clinical presentation may resemble an insect or spider bite, folliculitis, pustular lesions, furuncle, carbuncle (boils), abscess, cellulitis, impetigo, or an infected wound.

Treatment consists of:

• incision & drainage if possible
• culture wound if possible
• antibiotics may be indicated, either topical or oral
• decolonization - in patient with recurrent infection despite antibiotic treatment and if cleanliness of environment has been addressed, can consider this
• may need to decolonize household contacts / sexual partners

Prevention consists of patient education regarding:

• good hand washing – staph can be easily spread by contaminated hands that have not been properly washed.
• personal hygiene – shower, change and wash linens and towels
• keep any open sore or wound clean and covered
• avoid sharing personal items
• keep any sports equipment clean

CONTACT HEALTH SERVICE OR YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR CONCERNS.