MRSA or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus is a type of contagious bacterial infection resistant to various antibiotics. This is the reason why managing this infection can be a challenge.
MRSA infection or the “superbug” might start as a skin sore, boil or pimple before becoming serious, potentially harmful and even deadly in some cases.
What are the indications?
The symptoms of MRSA infection depend on the body part infected. Even though many carry the MRSA bacteria in the mucosa, they do not have any symptoms of an active infection.
MRSA infection can initially arise as a sore or bump in the skin that can be mistaken as an insect bite. The indications of a serious infection involving the deep tissues or blood include the following:
- Fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher
- Malaise
- Chills
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Chest pain
- Muscle aches and pains
- Swelling and tenderness in the affected body part
- Rash
- Cough
- Breathlessness
- Headache
- Wounds that do not heal
Who are at risk for MRSA infection?
Individuals who are at highest risk for hospital-acquired MRSA include those that have:
- Open wounds
- Weakened immune systems
- Severe skin conditions
- Burns or cuts on the skin surface
- Catheter or intravenous drip
- Had surgery
- Frequent use of antibiotics
Management
The management of MRSA infections usually include the following:
- Drainage of pus from a lesion
- Proper wound care and hygiene
- Culture and susceptibility testing of the drainage
- Antimicrobial therapy
The commonly used medications for an infection that involves the skin and soft tissues include clindamycin, rifampicin, tetracycline, linezolid, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole.
Disclaimer / More Information
The information posted on this page on MRSA infection is for learning and educational purposes only. To learn to recognize the indications of this type of infection, register for first aid training at one of our training centers located throughout Canada. The training centers are in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Vancouver, Kelowna, Surrey, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax.