MRSA, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusMRSA, is a form of "Staph infection" that is highly resistant to antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusis highly contagious and can be fatal. I had not really thought much about this until I received a request for information on the subject. The woman who contacted me was very concerned due to a someone moving into her home who has MRSA. She is a grandmother who is raising two of her grandchildren who are under the age of five. Plus her mother-in-law, who is in her eighties, also resides with her. In total there are six adults and two young children all living together.The economy has caused her and her husband to move his mother into their home along with one of his sons and one of her sons. A few months ago his son's fiance moved in also. She is the one with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and her entire family has it. The fiance did not talk to the family in regards to her health issues prior to moving in, which to me, is very irresponsible on her part. I can't imagine someone putting others at risk for this infection without their knowledge. With the state of the economy more and more families are having to adjust their living arrangements to accommodate more family members. So this and other infectious situations will be occurring more often. MRSA being an unseen danger for any one close to someone who has it, needs to be discussed here. Who is truly at risk for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus? Young children and the elderly are at a higher risk than others. If a child gets a scratch or cut and MRSA is present in the home the child can very easily become infected. Do you know of any child that doesn't get cuts and scratches routinely? The elderly also have skin abrasions due to thinning skin and don't always cover these abrasions or even know they have them. Why is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus so infectious? The Staph germ lives on the skin and transfers to anything the person touches. If someone has Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and does not have an open sore they still carry the infectious germ. The only way you can tell if someone might possibly have it is when a sore erupts. Not all pussy sores are staph nor are all staph infections Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Symptoms Staph skin infections, including MRSA, generally start as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. If Staph is present on the skin these can turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. The bacteria can remain confined to the skin or penetrate into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs.
The photo below almost looks like a boil but it is not. The bacteria contained in this sore can begin eating away at the tissue and causes an ulceration that is very difficult to heal.This needs to be surgically drained. Under no circumstances should you try to drain this yourself. 
What Causes Staph Infections? Staph bacteria are found on the skin or in the nose of about one-third of the population. You can have Staph bacteria on your skin or in the nose and not be sick. This is called "colonized" but not infected. Healthy people can be colonized and have no ill effects. They can still pass it on to others. Staph bacteria are generally harmless until they enter the body through a cut or other wound. Healthy people will generally only have minor skin problems from this. However, staph infections can cause serious illness. This happens in older adults and people who have weakened immune systems, usually in hospitals and long term care facilities. Over the past several years, serious infections have been occurring in otherwise healthy people, for example athletes who share equipment or personal items. Inmates in jails and prisons have to be extremely careful or they can become infected. Actually any place where a large number of people live in close proximity of one another is likely to increase the spread of staph infections. What Causes Staph To Be Come Antibiotic Resistant? For years antibiotics have been prescribed for Viral Infections like colds and flu but they have no effect on viral infections. Certain bacterial infections have been treated with antibiotics instead of left to clear on their own.The unnecessary use of antibiotics causes the "bugs" in the body to become resistant to these drugs. Drugs are not the only source of these antibiotics, they occur in the food we eat and in the water we drink. Another reason staph becomes antibiotic resistant is due to the germs mutating. They can mutate faster than drugs can be developed to fight them. Risk Factors * Young age Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . can be particularly dangerous in children. Often entering the body through a cut or scrape, quickly causing a widespread infection. Children may be susceptible because their immune systems aren't fully developed or they don't yet have antibodies to common germs. Children and young adults are also much more likely to develop dangerous forms of pneumonia, which can result from Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria., than older people are. * Participating in contact sports. The bacteria spread easily through cuts and abrasions and skin-to-skin contact. * Sharing towels or athletic equipment. has spread the infection among athletes sharing razors, towels, uniforms or equipment. * Living in crowded or unsanitary conditions. Out breaks have occurred in military training camps and in American and European prisons. When To Seek Medical Treatment Keep a close eye on skin inflammation such as bites, cuts, scrapes and pimples especially on children. If these become infected see a Doctor immediately. Watch for any skin problems on elderly persons, these can become infected rapidly and need to be treated quickly. If someone has been exposed to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . and is injured in someway be sure to inform the Doctor of the possibility of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus .. This is very important if there are broken bones involved. Ask the Doctor to test for MRSA prior to starting any antibiotic therapy. The antibiotics used for ordinary staph infections are not effective on MRSA and can lead to serious illness. Protect yourself and your family, ask anyone moving into your home or working in your home if they have been exposed to or treated for MRSA. If someone has MRSA be sure they know how to properly care for wounds and how not to spread the infection. Steps To Take When MRSA Is Present. Keep wounds clean and covered at all times. Wash Hands often and specially after touching contaminated dressings. Launder persons clothing, bedding and towels separately in hot water and dry in hot drier. Wash all surfaces that come in contact with MRSA carrier with a disinfectant. Disinfect bathroom and kitchen after use. Ask that they sit on furniture that can be wiped with disinfectant. Faucet handles should be disinfected after person uses them and not touched by them again unless using. Same as for phones and remotes used by others. Wipe door handles with disinfectant also. The bacteria can live on surfaces for a very long time. Is all this really necessary? In my opinion, YES A few years ago people were scared to death of HIV/Aids spreading through coming in physical contact with someone infected...it does not spread that way but MRSA does. They can both be deadly. I would rather work or live with an HIV positive person than a MRSA infected person who is not irresponsible in preventing its spread. Anyone suffering from MRSA knows how disabling it can be. It is very painful and it does not have a cure to date. No one should have to suffer as they do, so be aware and protect those around you.
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