What Are the Treatments for MRSA Staph?

MRSA, or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcusaureus, is a tough to kill staph bacteria that has become the bane of hospitals and medical facilities worldwide. Because MRSA is resistant to so many antibiotics, it is becoming a serious problem in health care settings. As fewer and fewer antibiotics are able to kill this infection, treatment becomes more important.

Local Skin Infections

• Skin infections should be kept clean using soap and water and an antibacterial cleanser. When clean, apply an antibacterial ointment and cover with a clean dressing. Apply warm moist compresses for half an hour three or four times a day.

Abscesses

• Abscesses must be opened and drained only by a doctor to prevent the bacteria from moving into the patient's bloodstream.

Wound Care

• An infected wound or boils should be cleaned with soap and water, then dried with a disposable towel. Be careful with towels to prevent spread of infection. Oral antibiotics are frequently given for skin infections.

Antibiotics

• MRSA bacteria are resistant to penicillin-type antibiotics. Physicians now treat MRSA with more powerful glycopeptide antibiotics which once were considered weapons of last resort.

Warning

• For an out-of-control MRSA infection, intravenous antibiotics such as Vancomycin may be required. It is important that MRSA infections be watched closely. If antibiotics are used, the full course should be taken. Though the patient may appear healed, do not stop antibiotics early. The last few pills or injections are needed to kill the most resistant bacteria and prevent reinfection.