What is MRSA?
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for many almost untreatable diseases. It is also calledmultidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ORSA) in other medical languages. MRSA can be defined as any strain of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus that has developed resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics which include the penicillins(methicillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, etc.) and the cephalosporins. This resistance to antibacterial drugs makes MRSA very deadly and difficult to treat. Contagious and lethal, it is estimated that 19,000 people die every year due to MRSA in the US alone.
MRSA is a flesh eating bacteria meaning it eats out tissues in our body especially the skin. This results in open wounds that appear as pimples and boils in the early stage. The flesh eating bacterioum also feeds on the body’s white blood cells eventually weakening its victim’s immune system slowly destroying the body and making it vulnerable to other diseases. Patients who already have compromised immune systems have a greater risk with MRSA infection. Usually conquering the nostrils, MRSA also infects the whole respiratory tract, intravenous catheters, and urinary tract giving you a multitude of infections in your body.
MRSA is especially troublesome in hospitals and nursing homes where patients with open wounds, invasive devices and weakened immune systems are at greater risk of infection than the general public. It can easily spread in any crowded place though, like schools, gyms, dormitories, and other places where people flock. Anyone can easily be transmitted with MRSA and people who have strong immunes systems are observed to carry the bacteriums strain for weeks and can still infect other people. Proper Hygiene and observing strict rules in quarantine have helped hospitals decrease the range of the bacterium’s damage. Here are ways in which you can avoid having MRSA infection:
- Make sure hospital workers wash their hands before touching you. Studies have shown a large percentage of doctors and hospital staff neglect to wash their hands between patients. This can lead to bacterial contamination. Ask all hospital staffers to wash their hands in front of you before touching you.
- Do not use towels, razors, toothbrushes or other personal items that belong to someone else. Never touch an open cut or sore on another person, and wash your hands after applying any bandages.
- Take a shower immediately after contact with equipment at a gym or other facility where people may have dripped sweat or bodily fluids to avoid MRSA infection.
- Cover all open wounds whenever possible. People who have open sores from skin disorders such as eczema or psoriasis are at a higher risk of contamination from MRSA. Wear gloves or cover cuts or any open wounds at all times to avoid MRSA infection.
- Be aware of any raised areas of the skin that may look like a boil, bug bite, or pimple. The MRSA infection starts out as a red bump that is filled with pus at the site of infection.
- Get to a doctor if you have reason to believe you have contracted MRSA. The infection is very contagious and can live on surfaces for some time. Be aware of what you touch when you have the infection to avoid spreading MRSA to others.
MRSA infection is best avoided by following strict hygienic measures. Use the methods mentioned above to keep yourself at bay against this deadly infection.
MRSA in DOGS
It has been documented that MRSA infection can reach to animals particularly the Dog, Mans Best Friend. The documentation proved that MRSA is not only lethal to people but also to animals as well. The numbers of MRSA infection in in Dog’s has been increasing in this is due to the fact that the dogs, having significant direct contact to humans, are well in the reach of an MRSA infection mostly sharing it’s time with men. Here are the things you need to know about MRSA infection to our “best friends”.
Significance – What makes MRSA so deadly is that it is a staph infection, already dangerous, that has grown resistant to the antibiotics used to kill it. Thus, all current drugs that the medical field has to treat infection and rid the body of it are almost useless. Some drugs may still be useful, but the sheer amount of drugs that must be given can also become harmful. Staph bacteria grow rapidly in the human body, taking advantage of any wound or other entrance to the body. Staph is also something that is always on the human body, but does not usually become dangerous until the body is compromised in some way, as with an illness, wound or lowered immune system. In these cases, staph grows rapidly out of control, and the toxins it produces causes illness and eventually death.
Effects – MRSA in dogs acts the same way it does in humans. The animal will get a wound, or will suffer from a debilitating illness that weakens the system or allows the staph to gain entry to the bloodstream. Once the staph is in the body, one of two things can happen: the body will react as it should and seal off the infection at its point of entry, or the staph can enter the bloodstream. Of these two, the latter is far more dangerous. Once staph has entered the bloodstream, it can literally settle anywhere in the body and move from location to location.
Prevention/Solution – Preventing an MRSA infection can be easy or difficult, depending on the circumstances. Proper hygiene is the main preventative. Keeping any wounds or skin irritations clean with an antibiotic agent is the first step. Examine your dog each day to make sure that its skin is unbroken and healthy. Do not allow your dog to become filthy or matted. This is especially true if your dog suffers from any sort of dermatitis or skin condition, or if the dog has a special type of fur that needs regular grooming. If your dog is scheduled to have surgery, have it cleaned and use a special soap, like Hibiclens, to thoroughly clean the fur and skin, especially in the area where the incision will be made. Take extra care to keep the surgical site clean when your dog returns, and monitor the wound to make sure it is healing properly. It is also a good idea to make sure that the vet you use has excellent sanitation.
Warning – If your dog has been tested positive for an MRSA infection, it is extremely important to quarantine it and practice rigorous hygiene control, since MRSA is easily transmitted from human to animal and back again. Your dog has become a walking contagion, and as much as you love it, you need to take great care it does not come into contact with other animals, and take even greater care when handling the infected area of the dog. There will be topical as well as oral medication you will be giving to the dog, and it will be necessary for you to wear gloves and clean any instruments you use on the animal during treatment. The only way to prevent spreading the infection is to keep the MRSA contained.
MRSA in your dog is not an immediate death sentence. There are still drugs that can wipe out the infection, they are just not easily had and are usually quite expensive. The battle against an MRSA infection is often a long one. Injections, oral and topical medication will be given, and depending on how sick the dog is or where the infection is located, the dog may be hospitalized. Powerful antibiotics will be used that can also make the dog ill, so it will be necessary for the animal to be closely monitored during treatment. Even more importantly, it will be imperative to finish all medication that the vet gives to you to avoid the risk of reinfection.
MRSA in Children
MRSA is increasingly becoming common to humans specially children. The bacterias ability to spread quickly, adapt to antibiotics, and weaken the body’s immune system make children vulnerable targets MRSA infection. Actually old men and women stand aside to children as one of the most susceptible to the disease. Here are some facts about MRSA infection in children that will prove vital in protecting our young against this deadly infection.
Types - Staph bacteria, an MRSA strain, are all around us. Staph infections can range from mild skin infections to toxic shock syndrome, which is severe. Some common skin infections caused by staph bacteria are impetigo, cellulitis and boils. It can even cause a blocked tear duct in a newborn. Another common form of a staph infection in children is staph food poisoning, the most common form of food poisoning.
How It Spreads – MRSA are common, so it is easy to spread an infection from person to person. MRSA live on almost everyone, including children. It can also live on things such as towels or pillowcases. It can even be spread to the next person who touches it. Staph bacteria can survive being dried in the dryer, temperature extremes and high levels of salt.
Symptoms – Symptoms of a MRSAin children can vary widely. A skin infection likely will cause pus wherever it is located. Boils appear as pockets of pus that form in a hair follicle or oil gland. They are most commonly found in the underarms, groin or buttocks. Impetigo symptoms include large blisters that ooze fluid and develop a golden-colored crust. They usually appear around the nose or mouth. Symptoms of food poisoning come on suddenly. Look for severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea without fever.
Treatment – Treatment of a MRSA infection depends on the type and location of the infection. Most require some type of antibiotics. Different types of antibiotics will be administered depending upon where the infection is located. These include creams, eye drops or oral antibiotics. Antibiotics must be administered carefully because many staph bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. If your child has food poisoning because of staph, antibiotics will not be diagnosed. Unfortunately, the food poisoning has to run its course.
Prevention – Make sure you wash your hands for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Use a disposable towel to dry your hands and turn off the faucet. You can also use a hand sanitizer that is at least 62 percent alcohol. Keep any wounds covered with a dry, sterile bandage until they are completely healed. Make sure children do not share any personal items, including towels and clothing. Food poisoning caused by staph can be prevented by cooking foods to the correct temperatures and not allowing food to sit out more than two to four hours.
Those where just some of the important things you can do in a MRSA infection in children. The children are one of the most vulnerable targets for this infection thus it is necessary that proper precautionary measures be applied to stop the infection from becoming lethal. Use tho above details to protect your children from MRSA infection and prevent any further lethal damage.
How to Treat Staph Infections
Staph Infections can pose serious and fatal possibilities to individual and should be administered quickly upon observation. The bacterial strain is also contagious thus instant treatments and careful procedures should be applied to avoid the bacterial infections from spreading and creating further damage to other people. Staph infection is a serious matter that can lead to death thus it is best that we have ample knowledge about this infection. Here are some helpful information on what you need to do on a possible Staph infection and effective ways for you to treat it.
- Visit your doctor. Only he can determine if you have a staph infection. If your doctor suspects a staph infection he will take a culture to send to the lab for definitive diagnosis.
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Follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment if your lab culture comes back positive for a staph infection. Treatment usually includes antibiotic medication and, if appropriate, treating the wound.
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Take the antibiotic pills if your doctor has prescribed them, per the prescription instructions. Finish all of the medication. Do not stop taking the drugs because you’re feeling better.
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Wash and dry the affected area with antibacterial soap. Staph bacteria spreads easily. Wash any towel you use before reusing it or use a disposable towel and throw it away.
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Apply any antibiotic cream or ointment prescribed by the doctor. There are Staph strains that can develop resistance to antibiotics thus it is best that you consult your doctor first before administering antibiotics to the body. It also a precautionary measure for people who have a history of allergies.
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Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before touching anything else. Cleanliness is still the best way to avoid bacterial infection including Staph infection.
- Follow up with your doctor to ensure the staph infection is cured. Staph infection can cease to show its symptoms but still present in you system.
Those where some of the best ways for you to follow when experiencing a staph infection. Cleanliness is still the best policy even when it comes to staph infection and a possessional help from Doctors still needs to be strictly observed. A staph infection can be cures but it can also claim lives. It is best that people be vigilant with this ever dangerous bacterial infection.
We recommend Staph Infection Secrets for more information about staph infection treatment.
What is a Staph Infection
Staphylococcus is a group of bacteria that can cause a number of diseases as a result of infection of various tissues of the body. Staphylococcus is more familiarly known as Staph (pronounced “staff”). Staph-related illness can range from mild and requiring no treatment to severe and potentially fatal.
The name Staphylococcus comes from the Greek staphyle, meaning a bunch of grapes, and kokkos, meaning berry, and that is what Staph bacteria look like under the microscope, like a bunch of grapes or little round berries. (In technical terms, these are gram-positive, facultative anaerobic, usually unencapsulated cocci.) Over 30 different types of Staphylococci can infect humans, but most infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococci can be found normally in the nose and on the skin (and less commonly in other locations) of 25%-30% of healthy adults. In the majority of cases, the bacteria do not cause disease. However, damage to the skin or other injury may allow the bacteria to overcome the natural protective mechanisms of the body, leading to infection.
Who is at risk for Staph infections?
Anyone can develop a Staph infection, although certain groups of people are at greater risk, including newborn infants, breastfeeding women, and people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, vascular disease, and lung disease. Injecting drug users, those with skin injuries or disorders, intravenous catheters, surgical incisions, and those with a weakened immune system all have an increased risk of developing Staph infections.
Staph infections are contagious until the infection has resolved. Direct contact with an infected sore or wound, or with personal-care items such as razors, bandages, etc. are common routes of transmission. Casual contact such as kissing or hugging does not pose a great risk for transmission if there is no direct contact with the infected area.
What are the symptoms and signs of a Staph infection?
Staphylococcal disease of the skin usually results in a localized collection of pus, known as an abscess, boil, or furuncle, depending upon the exact type of lesion that is present. The affected area may be red, swollen, and painful. Drainage or pus is common. When Staph is in the blood (bacteremia or sepsis), it can cause high fevers, chills, and low blood pressure.
What types of diseases are caused by Staph?
Skin infections (see above) are the most common type of disease produced by Staphylococcus. Staph infections of the skin can progress to impetigo (a crusting of the skin) or cellulitis (inflammation of the connective tissue under the skin, leading to swelling and redness of the area). In rare situations, a serious complication known as scalded skin syndrome (see below) can develop. In breastfeeding women, Staph can result in mastitis (inflammation of the breast) or in abscess of the breast. Staphylococcal breast abscesses can release bacteria into the mother’s milk.
When the bacteria enter the bloodstream and spread to other organs, a number of serious infections can occur. Spread of the organisms to the bloodstream is known as bacteremia or sepsis. Staphylococcal pneumonia predominantly affects people with underlying lung disease and can lead to abscess formation within the lungs. Infection of the heart valves (endocarditis) can lead to heart failure. Spread of Staphylococci to the bones can result in severe inflammation of the bones known as osteomyelitis. When Staph bacteria are present in the blood, a condition known as staphylococcal sepsis (widespread infection of the bloodstream) or staphylococcal bacteremia exists. Staphylococcal sepsis is a leading cause of shock and circulatory collapse, leading to death, in people with severe burns over large areas of the body. When untreated, Staph aureus sepsis carries a mortality (death) rate of over 80%. Although not common, Staph aureus has been reported as a cause of chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis in pregnancy, but group B streptococci are the most common bacterial cause of this life-threatening condition for the fetus.
Staphylococcal infections are contagious and can be transmitted from person to person. Since pus from infected wounds may contain the bacteria, proper hygiene and handwashing is required when caring for Staph-infected wounds. Staphylococcal food poisoning is an illness of the bowels that causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. It is caused by eating foods contaminated with toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus. Symptoms usually develop within one to six hours after eating contaminated food. The illness usually lasts for one to three days and resolves on its own. Patients with this illness are not contagious, since toxins are not transmitted from one person to another.
