The Real Risks Affiliated with MRSA

Earlier this month, the local media reported on a teenager with a serious case of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). The story concerned many parents, who are asking for the facts and the real risks behind this infection.

All of us are “colonized” with millions of bacteria on our skin and inside of our body. Most are harmless, some are beneficial and some are of no concern most of the time, but have the potential to cause infection under certain circumstances. 

One-third of us carry a bacterium called Stapylococcus Aureus (or “staph”) on our skin, usually causing no symptoms or problems. However, when there is a cut or scrape or a break in the skin, this organism can gain entry into our tissues, where the result is almost always a local self-limited infection (a boil or cellulitis, for example).

Many staph infections can be treated with local care, but some require antibiotic therapy. One of the original antibiotics used was methicillin, which was followed by antibiotic “cousins” such as cloxacillin and dicloxacillin. Over time, however, some staph became resistant to these antibiotics, hence the term Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. The early cases were seen exclusively in hospitals, but eventually the organism was recognized in the community, where MRSA is now the cause of 50 percent or more of all staph infections.

The typical MRSA infection in the community is mild; a red bump, the expression of a small amount of pus, a cluster of what appear to be insect bites. Classically, but not always, the infection hurts to the touch and feels warm. In such circumstances you should see your primary care physician, who may take a swab for culture, perform some blood tests or prescribe antibiotics. A number of oral antibiotic options are available.

On rare occasions, MRSA may get access into the bloodstream and cause serious or even life-threatening complications. High fevers, shakes and chills, shortness of breath, dizziness and lightheadedness are signs that the situation is emergent. Patients with diabetes, on certain medications such as steroids or with suppression of their immune system are at higher risk for such serious outcomes.

What can you do to prevent MRSA infections?  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has advice at http:///www.cdc.gov/mrsa/index.html. At home, practice good hygiene by keeping your hands clean by using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub, cover all cuts until healed, avoid contact with other people’s wounds and don’t share items such as razors and towels. If you or your child participates in athletic competition, shower immediately after participation, wash uniforms after each use and report any skin rash to the coach or the athletic trainer.

For an appointment with a NuHealth specialist in Infectious Diseases, please call 516-572-4848.