Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium resistant to methicillin, a common antibiotic used to treat staph infections. According to research, the MRSA rate is high in South Africa.
MRSA illnesses can happen in various places, including hospitals, retirement homes, and public areas. MRSA infections can vary from minor cutaneous infections to more severe diseases such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and surgical site infections.
MRSA infections are becoming more of a concern due to resistance of these infections from traditional medicines, raising the risk of morbidity and death.
Skin infections: MRSA infections can cause skin infections such as boils, abscesses, cellulitis (skin redness and swelling), and impetigo (a contagious skin infection).
Urinary tract infections: MRSA can lead to UTIs, resulting in signs like fever and excessive and painful urination.
Bloodstream infections: MRSA can, in rare instances, lead to sepsis, a bloodstream infection resulting in signs like fever, chills, low blood pressure, and organ failure.
Bone and joint infections: MRSA infections can also affect bones and joints, causing joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Respiratory infections: MRSA can cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, which can cause cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and fever.
Poor hygiene: Not washing hands regularly or sharing personal items.
Exposure to healthcare settings: MRSA infections are common in healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics.
Community settings: MRSA infections can also occur in the community, particularly in crowded environments such as schools, gyms, and prisons.
Overuse of antibiotics: Overuse of antibiotics can contribute to the development of MRSA by promoting the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Direct contact with infected individuals: Contacts with infected patients or contaminated objects can spread MRSA.
MRSA is usually diagnosed by collecting a sample from the infected site and running a laboratory test to identify the bacteria. These tests can determine the bacteria causing the illness and whether it resists specific medicines. MRSA infections can vary from minor cutaneous infections to life-threatening conditions that affect the bloodstream, bones, and organs.
MRSA illnesses can lead to severe, even fatal, complications. The bacteria can travel quickly throughout the body, infecting numerous organs and systems. Bacteraemia, or bloodstream infections, can lead to sepsis, a potentially fatal disease resulting in organ failure and toxic shock.
Infections caused by MRSA can also result in pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and illnesses in surgery incisions or implanted devices.
Healthcare professionals usually treat MRSA infections with effective antibiotics against the bacteria. However, due to MRSA’s resistance to many antibiotics, therapy choices may be restricted. Testing determines whether MRSA is present and what antibiotics can address the illness.
Doctors may use effective antibiotics or a combination of antibiotics against MRSA to treat severe infections. Sometimes, patients may require surgery to remove infected tissue or drain an abscess.
MRSA infection prevention is essential, and practices like proper hygiene, hand washing, and minimizing interaction with infected people can help lower the chance of transmission. When caring for patients with MRSA illnesses, healthcare workers should take proper measures, such as wearing gloves, gowns, and masks and cleaning tools and surfaces.
Patients diagnosed with MRSA should follow their healthcare provider’s instructions for treatment and prevention, including taking prescribed antibiotics and avoiding close contact with others until they recover fully. Early diagnosis and immediate treatment are vital to preventing and treating MRSA infections.
By following preventive measures and seeking medical attention when needed, individuals can reduce their risk of MRSA infections and minimize the impact of these potentially severe infections.