Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection – MRSA
Dr.Kut | Dec 28, 2009 | Comments 0
Staph Infection:
Skin infections are very common, the major cause of which are usually bacterium known as Staphylococcus Aureus, also referred as Staph. Staph infection often affects the skin, nose or eye area of an individual. It can cause reddening, boils, blisters or any other kind of minor or major skin infection. The identification of staph infection is done by coagulation test. Once a person is tested positive for the presence of staph, one has to identify whether the bacteria are Methicillin Resistant or not as the cure for both types of staph is different.
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection:
Antibiotics which are used for treatment of staph usually contain Methicillin. Staph which are resistant to Methicillin are referred as MRSA. MRSA staph infections are hence difficult to treat and can prove fatal for the patients. MRSA have been traced as the cause of various blood and bone infections. The infection caused by MRSA can resemble an insect bite as the symptoms of MRSA staph infection include redness, selling of the affected area, secretion of pus, tenderness in skin and pain. It is very essential to diagnose the disease right so that correct treatment can be done as soon as possible. MRSA affected area can grow from minor skin infection to abscesses. Blood, bones, tendons and tissues and muscles around the area can all get infect by this staph. Utmost care of Pus secreted out from the wound must be taken, since if this pus spreads it can infect other parts of the body as well. MRSA staph infection usually spreads in crowded areas like schools, gyms etc. if there is direct physical contact of skin secretions containing MRSA bacteria. Used towels, keys, sheets or instruments with germs on them can also lead to this staph infection.
The affected area is cultured as soon as staph infection is diagnosed in the patient. This culture is then sent to pathological laboratories to grow the bacteria. Different antibiotics are tested on these growing bacteria to know which antibiotics will be able to kill the staph. If the staph cannot be killed using Methicillin antibiotics then it is classified as Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus infection.
Treatment of MRSA staph infection:
The treatment if MRSA is usually done by draining pus from the boil. DO NOT try draining the pus yourself at home. Great care is required to drain the secretions and even minute mistakes can lead the infection to spread dangerously. Several antibiotics are also now available in the market for treatment of MRSA staph infections. Cleanliness and proper hygiene should be maintained to prevent or cure you from such infections. Any wound should be thoroughly washed and should not be kept open for long until and unless they are healed completely. If you are a patient, never let anyone use your towel, clothing or razor. Disinfect and sterilize all objects after you touch them. Linens should be washed in boiling water and detergents twice before they are put to use.
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Filed Under: Infection • Staphylococcal Infections
