MRSA or methyl resistant staphylococcus aureus infection is an infection caused by a kind of staphylococcus bacteria. This bacterium has become resistant to a number of antibiotics that are otherwise used in the treatment of staph infections.
Most of the times, MRSA infections occur in such people who have been in health care establishments or hospitals. People who have been in a nursing home or dialysis centers can be the most affected. When this infection is caught in these places it is termed as HA-MRSA or healthcare associated MRSA. This infection is generally caught when dealing with devices or procedures like artificial joints and surgeries. When MRSA affects other healthy people in the community it is known as community associated or CA-MRSA.
How To Cope With MRSA?
In order to understand how to cope with MRSA, let us first have a look at the signs and symptoms of this condition.
- Staphylococcus infections usually begin as red bumps that are swollen and painful
- These bumps may look similar to spider bites or pimples
- The area that has been affected may feel warm to touch
- The affected area may be filled with pus or other fluid
- There may also be a fever
- Such bumps or affected areas can rapidly develop into abscesses that are very painful and deep
- These abscesses require draining by a surgeon
- The bacteria may stay restricted to the skin. However, in some cases they may invade deep into the affected person’s body
- Such invasion by the bacteria can lead to dangerous and life-threatening infections in surgical wounds, blood stream, lungs, heart valves and bones
Though, it is a scary thought to have antibiotic resistant bacteria infecting your body, the infection is manageable and treatable, provided you follow the doctor’s advise promptly and take prescribed medications correctly and on time
If there is a boil, the doctor will drain the collection and send it for necessary tests to check whether it is MRSA or something else. If an infection is found, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to cure the infection. While taking antibiotics, it is very important to complete the entire dose. The doctor must be notified even if a single dose is missed. If a dose is missed and/or you discontinue the treatment, it is possible that the bacteria that are remaining will become resistant. This is especially important as there are only so many antibiotics available to treat MRSA and hence it is essential to complete the dose of the medicine. Also, if the condition does not improve in a couple of days, there may be a need for antibiotics to be taken intravenously.
- The infection caused by MRSA is very easy to spread. However, some things can be done to prevent the spread of this infection-
- Complete the dosage of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. Missing a dose may result in resistance to the antibiotics
- The infected area must be covered so that the infection does not spread to others. If the affected area cannot be covered, it is best to avoid any contact sports like wrestling and going to day care centers
- Sheets, washcloths and towels must be washed frequently so that other family members do not catch the infection
- Also, it is necessary to take regular baths, cut your fingernails and wash your hands frequently to avoid the spread of infection
Getting a MRSA infection too often may indicate that you or someone in your family is carrying the infection with them and are infecting others around them. Such persons are known as carriers. If you or your family member is a carrier then your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or may recommend washing and bathing with an antimicrobial soap or taking a bleach bath to eliminate all possible infection.
MRSA maybe serious but coping with MRSA is manageable if you follow the doctor’s instructions regarding medicine consumption, precisely.
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