MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphyococcus Aureus. MRSA infections are contagious diseases caused by bacterial infections. Most people are familiar with a staph infection. A staph infection has traditionally been treated by methicillin, an anti-biotic. However, new strains of Staphylococcus aureus (staph) have become resistant to treatment by methicillin. This type of bacteria is highly
. contagious and is frequently fatal in the elderly and others with compromised immune systems. MRSA was first observed in 1961 and is now resistant to a wide variety of antibiotics including methicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin, oxacillin and others. MRSA is diagnosed by checking tissue samples or nasal phlegm to see if drug resistant bacteria is present.Infections of MRSA can occur on various parts of the body. Infections on the skin which may result in sores or boils. Other areas of possible infection include a person's bloodstream, lungs or even the urinary tract. Bacteria can enter the body though a cut. The MRSA is spread by touching a person who has the bacteria on his or her skin or by touching an object with the bacteria on it. MRSA causes 60 percent of staph infections in U.S. hospitals and intensive care units. Invasive medical devices such as medical tubing or urinary catheters also may spread MRSA.MRSA is also spreading throughout communities. It is referred to as community-associated MRSA and infects healthy people. It often starts as a skin boil spread through skin to skin contact. People such as wrestlers or those engaging in other contact sports, child care workers and people who live in crowded circumstances and bump against others are at higher risk.If the bacteria gets into the body it can cause life threatening infections in bones, joints, wounds, the blood, the heart and the lungs. Abscesses caused by MRSA are drained by doctors to try to treat the infection rather than using drugs. In other cases, some antibiotics are still useful against the infection. More reference links: http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-mrsa-methicillin-resistant-staphylococcus-aureus http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mrsa/DS00735
