Is MRSA Permanent?

MRSA is a term used for methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus infection. These particular type of staphylococcus, bacteria have become resistant to many common antibiotics, making it very difficult to treat and sometimes life threatening

MRSA is a serious disease that cannot be cured. However, it is manageable and treatable. It may so happen that you may not be showing any symptoms of MRSA, but you may have external colonies of this bacteria. This means that you may test positive for these bacteria, but you will not be showing any symptoms. Nevertheless, you will be at a high risk for susceptibility throughout your life. This may also mean that though you yourself are not showing any symptoms, you are still capable of spreading the infection to others on contact.

• When MRSA bacteria grow uncontrollably and the body tries to fight this growth, an infection occurs
• The infection may be present in one wound, or it may spread to other organs through the blood circulation
• MRSA infection is quite serious
• Those who have had a MRSA sepsis or invasive and deep infections may be colonized internally. Such people are considered at a high risk throughout their lives
• It may so happen that MRSA cell become inactive for several years and then become active at the site of origin or a different site, several years later

• Many staph infections usually begin with red bumps that are swollen and extremely painful
• These red bumps may look like pimples
• The affected region may feel very warm to touch
• It may be filled with fluid, like pus or other
• There may also be fever
• These small, red, pimple like bumps may rapidly turn into deep infections like abscesses that are extremely painful
• Such abscesses may need a surgical drainage
• The bacteria may remain restricted to the skin. However, at times the infection may invade deep down. This may lead to more serious infections of the joins, blood circulation, wounds, lungs, bones, etc.
• It is essential to keep an eye on small skin problems like insect bites, cuts, scrapes etc. especially in small children
• If it seems like the wound is not healing, or there is a collection of fluid in it or presence of fever, one should seek medical help immediately

There are different types of staphylococcus bacteria. These are commonly known as staph bacteria.

• These are usually found on the skin or in the nose of a healthy person
• These bacteria generally do not cause any harm. However, once they enter the body through a wound, cut or a scrape they may cause minor skin problems or serious, life threatening infections
• Using antibiotics unnecessarily for years and years has given rise to MRSA
• Health care providers use to prescribe antibiotics for conditions like colds, flu and such other viral infections, which actually do not respond to antibiotics
• Such an inappropriate use of antibiotics gives rise to resistant strains of many bacteria
• Even if one uses these antibiotics very cautiously and appropriately, not all the bacteria get killed or eliminated with these drugs

Bacteria are evolving very rapidly. Hence, the bacteria that survive this antibiotic attack, very soon understand how to resist other types of antibiotics too

MRSA is resistant to many different types of common antibiotics. This makes them more difficult to treat. Hence, these infections can spread easily and rapidly and sometimes may even become life threatening. These infections may affect one’s lungs, heart, joints, bones, bloodstream etc.

In many cases, MRSA becomes a serious infection which cannot be cured. People who do not present with any symptoms may still be carriers of MRSA and can start showing symptoms after many years too. However, with use of correct antibiotics and following the instructions of the doctor carefully, MRSA can be managed and treated.

Also Read:

• What is MRSA Infection & How is it Treated?