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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Staph bacteria

Staphylococcus aureus, or staph, is a bacterium found in the nose or on the skin of about 20–30% of people in the U.S. Staph bacteria are usually harmless, but they can sometimes cause serious infections. Most staph infections can be treated with antibiotics, but there are some strains that have developed antibiotic resistance.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the name for the strains of staph bacteria that have become resistant to certain antibiotics that are usually used to treat staph infections. It is the most common drug-resistant infection found in health care settings.

There are two main types of MRSA:

  • Healthcare-associated MRSA (HA MRSA) is found mainly in hospital patients and long-term care facility residents.
  • Community-associated MRSA (CA MRSA) is found in those who have not had contact with health care facilities.

HA MRSA

HA MRSA is acquired in health care facilities such as hospitals or nursing homes. It can be spread through contact with hands, clothes, or medical equipment that haven't been cleaned properly. MRSA can also spread by someone with an infected wound or by someone who carries the bacteria but shows no signs or symptoms of an infection (called colonization). People who receive inpatient medical care, have surgery, or require medical devices are at higher risk of MRSA infection.

Health care providers should take the following steps to reduce the risk of spreading MRSA infection:

CA MRSA

CA MRSA is spread in the community, most often in places that involve crowding, skin-to-skin contact, and shared equipment or supplies. It is spread by contact with people who are infected or colonized. It is also spread through objects that are contaminated with the bacteria such as towels, clothing, razors, and gym or sports equipment. Athletes, school students, and children who attend day care are at higher risk of CA MRSA infection.

Reduce your risk of CA MRSA infection:

  • Wash your hands often, especially before and after changing bandages.
  • Clean your body regularly, especially after exercise.
  • Keep cuts, scrapes, and wounds clean and covered until healed.
  • Do not share personal items such as towels and razors.
  • See a doctor early if you think you might have a skin infection, especially if accompanied by a fever.
  • Do not pick at or pop any skin sores.

The symptoms of MRSA infections depend on the part of the body that is infected. Most MRSA infections appear on the skin and can look like pimples or boils that are:

  • Red
  • Swollen
  • Painful
  • Warm to the touch
  • Full of pus or other drainage

These signs may also be accompanied by a fever. Sometimes staph bacteria can cause more severe infections such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and sepsis.

Treatment of MRSA depends on the location and severity of the infection. Some infections are treated by draining the pimples or boils while others will require antibiotics. People who are colonized with MRSA often do not require treatment.

It is important to treat MRSA infections early. If left untreated, MRSA can spread throughout the body and cause more serious infections like sepsis.

Resources

Questions about MRSA? Contact us.
Phone: 608-267-7711 | Fax: 608-266-0049

Glossary

 
Last revised January 16, 2024