What is MRSA?
A
type of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) that is resistant to many antibiotics.
It is a common cause of hospital-acquired infections.
Who gets MRSA?
Anyone can get MRSA, but it is found most often in hospitalized patients.
What are the symptoms associated with MRSA
infection?
MRSA
infections can cause a broad range of symptoms depending on the part of the body
that is infected. These may include surgical wounds, burns, catheter sites, eye,
skin and blood. Infection often results in redness, swelling and tenderness at
the site of infection. Sometimes, people may carry MRSA without having any
symptoms. When people become infected outside of the hospital, symptoms usually
consist of a pimple or boil.
How is it transmitted?
The
staph bacteria are generally spread through direct contact with a person who is
infected with or carrying the organism. Occasionally, MRSA may be spread by
contact with surfaces or objects.
How long can an infected person carry MRSA?
Some
people can carry MRSA for days to many months, even after their infection has
been treated.
How are MRSA infections diagnosed?
MRSA
infections can be diagnosed when a doctor obtains a sample or specimen from the
site of infection and submits it to a laboratory. The laboratory places the
specimen on a special "culture" plate containing nutrients, incubates the plate
in a warmer and then identifies the bacteria. The final step is for the
laboratory to conduct tests using various antibiotics to determine if the
bacteria are resistant (able to withstand or tolerate) or sensitive (susceptible
to killing) to select antibiotics.
What is the treatment for MRSA?
Most
MRSA infections are treated with basic wound care. More severe cases can usually
be treated with an antibiotic called vancomycin. Newer antibiotics are being
developed to address this problem.
How can the spread of MRSA be controlled?
Careful hand washing is the single most effective way to control spread of MRSA.
Heath care workers should wash their hands after contact with each patient. If
the patient is known to have an MRSA infection, the health care worker should
wear disposable gloves. Depending on the type of contact, a gown should also be
worn. Patients must also wash their hands to avoid spreading the bacteria to
others.
In
addition you should practice good hygiene daily:
1.
Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using
an alcohol based hand sanitizer
2.
Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed
3.
Avoid contact with other people’s wound or bandages
4.
Avoid sharing items such as towels, soap or razors
What about contact with carriers?
If
basic hygiene precautions are followed, MRSA carriers are not a hazard to others
including their family and friends.
Can I get a staph or MRSA infection at my health
club?
It
is possible to become infected by staph or MRSA at your health club by direct
skin-to-skin contact with another person or by contact with surfaces or
equipment (less likely). You can protect yourself from infections by practicing
good hygiene by:
o
keeping your hands clean by washing
with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub and showering after
working out;
o
covering any open skin area such as
abrasions or cuts with a clean dry bandage;
o
avoiding sharing personal items such
as towels, soaps or razors;
o
using a barrier (e.g., clothing or a
towel) between your skin and shared equipment;
o
wiping surfaces of equipment before
and after use.
Where can I get more information?
o
Your doctor, nurse or clinic
o
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) website at:
http://www.cdc.gov/
o
The Burlington County Department of
Health at (609)265-5548
o
The New Jersey Department of Health
and Senior Services (NJDHSS) at (609) 588-7500 or on the NJDHSS
Website at http://www.state.nj.us/health