Understanding and Managing Resistant Staph Infections (MRSA)

Staphylococcus is the name of a kind of bacteria. There are approximately 30 varieties of staph bacteria that pose a risk of human infection. The staphylococcus aureus bacterium is the most common type that causes infections in human beings. Since the early 2000s, there has been a growing concern among doctors about the rise of so-called resistant strains of bacteria. MSRA or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus is the cause of resistant staph infections

Resistance

• MSRA is resistant to standard antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, such as penicillin, amoxicillin and methicillin.

Health Care Associated

• Most instances of MSRA occur in those with weak immune systems that have recently undergone a medical procedure or stayed in a medical facility.

CA-MSRA

• CA or community associated MSRA are resistant staph infections that occur in those who have not been in a health care setting or received a medical procedure. These usually manifest as skin infections.

Dangers

• Any staph infection can spread into the bloodstream causing life-threatening conditions, but MRSA infections often prove difficult or impossible to treat because of their resistance.

Treatment

• The antibiotic vancomycin is still proving effective against resistant strains, but most doctors will try to avoid its use unless absolutely necessary to reduce developing vancomycin-resistant strains.