The MRSA Skin Infection Scare

The signs or symptoms of a MRSA skin infection are the appearance of cellulitis, boils or abscesses, a sty on the eye, carbuncles or impetigo. MRSA can be a life-threatening infection if it spreads to internal organs.

MRSA stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. MRSA first burst upon the scene in 1961, approximately two years after the antibiotic methicillin was first used to treat S. aureus and other bacterial infections. Many of the MRSA strains are resistant to methicillin earning it the nickname of the "superbug".

The signs or symptoms of a MRSA skin infection are the appearance of cellulitis, boils or abscesses, a sty on the eye, carbuncles or impetigo. MRSA can be a life-threatening infection if it spreads to internal organs. Fever, chills, low blood pressure, joint pains, headaches that are severe in nature, experiencing shortness of breath, and the appearance of a rash all over the body are all symptoms of MRSA that require immediate medical attention.

The seriousness of the infection and the fact that it is resistant to most antibiotics is what scares people. The fact that people die from MRSA skin infections alarms a lot of people including parents, school officials and community members.

Part of why people are afraid of MRSA is that you can become infected by having physical contact with someone who is already infected with MRSA. Another way to become infected with the MRSA skin infection is to come into contact with an object that was touched by someone with MRSA. Objects can be door handles, sinks, towels, bed linens, newspapers and books.

Normal healthy skin will protect you from bacteria including that which causes MRSA. If you have a cut, abrasion or other skin opening such as scaly skin or dry patches then the bacteria can enter your skin and cause infection.

MRSA is prevalent among groups of people like school sport teams, dormatory residents, and military personnel because these are all individuals who live, work or play in close contact with others and are likely to share objects.

Other individuals who are at high risk for MRSA are those who have skin breaks (surgical patients, those with IV's, burn patients and thsoe with ulcers). Certain chronic diseases also make individuals who have them susceptible such as diabestes and cancer patients. Health care workers have an increased exposure risk seeing how they deal with patients with infections on a daily basis, so they have a higher risk of contracting MRSA.

The best way to overcome fear is to gain knowledge of that which we are afraid of. Learning about how MRSA is contracted, can help individuals to avoid situations where they would be exposed to the MRSA infection.

Through knowledge comes the understanding to forge plans to prevent infections from occurring.

Parents can teach kids how to clean hands properly and when to clean them. Parents can be sure to clean all scrapes, cuts and abrasions and apply antiseptic cream and a band-aid to prevent dirt and germs from entering the wound.

Most stores have wipes available to clean shared surfaces like shopping cart handles. It only takes a moment to use the wipe and prevent the spread of germs.