MRSA stands for ‘Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureas’. Staphylococcus bacteria, often referred to as ‘staph’, are found normally on the skin of many people. In healthy people, staph bacteria usually do not cause infection unless they enter the body through a cut. Even then, staph infections can cause minor skin issues. However in the elderly or those with compromised immune systems, staph bacteria can cause more serious infections or even be fatal.
MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. This resistance makes treating infections due to MRSA more difficult. How does this resistance develop? Experts have determined there are several factors contributing to the increase in MRSA infections lately. First, unnecessary antibiotics use has been a contributing factor. For years, antibiotics have been prescribed for ailments that don’t necessarily respond to antibiotics. Colds and flus, for example, are typically caused by viruses and don’t respond to antibiotics. However, when antibiotics are prescribed when they are not needed, they allow the small amounts of bacteria that are present to become ‘familiar’ with the antibiotic and learn how to defend itself against it. The result is antibiotic resistance, such as that seen with MRSA.
Even when antibiotics are used appropriately they can contribute to resistance by a process called ‘germ mutation’. The concept of germ mutation revolves around the idea that some of the bacteria that are subjected to the antibiotic will NOT die. The bacteria that are left after the onslaught of antibiotic have learned how to defend themselves against the antibiotic. In other words, resistance to that antibiotic has formed.
Resistance can happen any time bacteria are exposed to small amounts of antibiotic. Being exposed to a small amount of antibiotic that is not enough to kill the bacteria, yet enough for the bacteria to become familiar with how the antibiotic works, can result in antibiotic resistance. For this reason, the antibiotics used in the U.S. food supply pose a unique threat. Farmers often give their cattle, pigs, chickens and other livestock antibiotics for infections that may occur. Many of these infections occur as a direct result of the way the animals are handled by the farmer. These antibiotics are assimilated by the animal and ultimately occur in small amounts in the meat that we eat.
So who is at risk for contracting MRSA infections? We must first divide the question into two groups: 1.) community-acquired MRSA infections and 2.) healthcare associate MRSA infections. Children, elderly, those with a weakened immune system as well as health care workers are at risk of contracting community –acquired MRSA infections. A recent hospitalization, living in a long term care facility or a recent history of an invasive procedure can put one at a higher risk of hospital-acquired MRSA infection.
Wounds that develop redness or pus as well as the presence of a fever can indicate an infection. If you or your doctor suspect a wound infection, it may be a good idea to have the wound tested for MRSA before beginning an antibiotic. Many of the drugs that treat staph infections will not work against MRSA.
