MRSA: Understanding Causes, Risks, and Prevention

MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a bacterial infection that is resistant to methicillin and other common antibiotics. Hospital-associated MRSA occurs in patient-care environments. Community-associated MRSA occurs in groups of people having skin-to-skin contact.

• One type of MRSA occurs in a hospital setting

Cause

• MRSA is caused by bacteria that have developed a resistance to antibiotics because of over-prescribing, antibiotic use in livestock, and the genetic mutation of bacteria in response to exposure to antibiotics.

Developing MRSA

• Staph bacteria live on the skin and normally cause no problems, but if you have a cut they can get into your system. If the invading bacteria is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and your immune system can't fight it, you can develop MRSA.

Health-Care Settings

• If you have had a recent hospital stay or live in a care facility, you are at increased risk for hospital-associated MRSA.

Surgery

• Surgery or other procedures that break or cut the skin are risk factors for hospital-associated MRSA.

Sports

• Participating in contact sports and sharing towels in locker rooms are risk factors for community-associated MRSA.

Immune System

• Having an immune system compromised by a disease such as HIV/AIDS or being a child with an immune system that isn't fully developed puts you at risk for developing community-associated MRSA.