Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA infection, is caused by staphylococcus aureus bacteria, more commonly known as “staph infection.” MRSA is a type of bacteria resistant to treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics such as penicillin and methicillin.  MRSA is typically associated with hospitalization and other healthcare-associated risk factors.  Infection with staph is characterized by a pocket of infection that forms at the site of a cut or injury, along with an agglomeration of pus. A deep abscess then develops full of bacteria, becoming red and swollen, and feels warm to the touch.

Staph bacteria are actually quite common in the everyday environment. Healthy individuals who are ‘colonized’ with staph bacteria, but not infected, generally have surface collections of the bacteria around their nose and on the skin. These individuals may not be infected, but they can pass staph infections from one person to the next. Even if staph infections do occur in healthy individuals, they normally do not result in anything more than minor skin irritations.

How does a MRSA infection develop?¶

MRSA problems arise more often as an infection to the underlying layers of the skin, otherwise known as cellulitis in the unhealthy. The infection develops from a cut or injury, into which bacteria are allowed to enter and grow. Cellulitis can occur nearly anywhere in the body. The problem with MRSA is its extreme resistance to treatment. This resistance is especially true in immunocompromised patients, such as patients who are HIV positive. The elderly, children, and persons who are recovering from illness also frequently fall victim to MRSA infections.

Hospital-acquired MRSA¶

MRSA infections are caused by unclean hospital rooms, unsterilized operating rooms, and poor hygiene. Long hospital stays usually predispose one to high risk of a MRSA infection, as do stays in residential long-term care facilities like nursing homes. In fact, these infections represent one of the most serious problems nationwide in hospitals and nursing homes.  Patients who are catheterized, are on I.V’s, or have tubes inside the body are all at risk for Hospital Acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA). 

Comunity-acquired MRSA¶

MRSA infections also represent a growing concern in the community, and are recognized by a different name, Community Acquired MRSA (or CA-MRSA) infections.  Dirty locker rooms are breeding grounds for MRSA infections.  Contact sports like football also predispose one to CA-MRSA.  Young children also are likely to be victims of CA-MRSA because of small cuts and scrapes they get in everyday play around schoolyards.