MRSA

MRSA
by: Gen

The organism Staphylococcus aureus is found on many people's skin and seems to cause no major problems. However if it gets inside the body, for instance under the skin or into the lungs, it can cause important infections such as boils or pneumonia.

What does this have to do with MRSA.....? The "SA" stands for Staphylococcus aureus. What is the "MR" you ask? It stands for methicillin resistant. Joined together, that is Methicillan resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Now that we have that out of the way... What exactly does this disease do?

MRSA organisms are usually associated with hospitals but can also be found in patients who are not in a hospital. Usually it is not necessary to do anything about MRSA organisms. However if organisms are passed on to someone who is already ill, then a more serious infection may occur in that person.

But... How do we prevent the spread of MRSA???

Measures to prevent the spread of organisms from one person to another are called isolation or infection control. The type of infection control or isolation required for any patient depends on the organism.

The most important type of isolation required for MRSA is what is called Contact Isolation. This type of isolation requires everyone in contact with the patient to be very careful about hand washing after touching either the patient or anything in contact with the patient. If the organism is in the nose or lungs it may also be necessary to have the patient in a room to prevent spread to others by droplet spread. Because dust and surfaces can become contaminated with the organism, cleaning of surfaces are also important. This usually occurs after the patient leaves the hospital.

Treatment consists of special shampoos and creams to injections and oral antibiotics.