What is MRSA and how does it
differ from a staph infection?
"Will I get better if I have mrsa?" The answer is yes, IF you educate yourself with information your doctor won't be telling you - read on.
What is MRSA?
MRSA is a bacterial infection that stands for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus
or "Staph", one specifically that has acquired an immunity or resistance to
the penicillin type of antibiotics. There is no mrsa virus and threfore no mrsa vaccination as some have suggested. MRSA is strictly a bacterial infection.
Antibiotics have been used only since the 1940’s to stop the growth of bacteria. With MRSA being so resistant to many of the best antibiotics, it makes treatment of skin infections and invasive internal infections much more problematic, resulting in many yearly deaths. This nasty bacteria is also responsible for the “flesh-eating”
disease you've likely
heard of.
MRSA is pronounced “Mursa” and you may also have seen it referred to as a mercer staph infection, mersa staph infection, or as mrsa staff infection. These all refer
to MRSA, which can be resistant (but is constantly becoming more resistant to more antibiotics) to the following antibiotics:
- Methicillin, Oxacillin, Penicillin, and Amoxicillin
- Cephalosporins - another class of Penicillin-like antibiotics
- Vancomycin - some strains of MRSA (VISA and VRSA) are now becoming resistant to Vancomycin, one of the best antibiotics. Vancomycin has traditionally been used for serious and life-threatening infections.
How to Test for MRSA
If you have a Staph infection, it doesn't mean you have MRSA. This website will address both types of infections, because in many respects, they are equally important and are often treated in similar ways. If you currently have an infection, it's important to know how to work with it properly to prevent re-infection.
Be sure to read more about staph infection treatment options for these bacterial infections.
It's important to know how to test for mrsa. To conclusively know if you have a mrsa staff infection, you'll need to have a doctor perform a culture test to identify your infection-causing bacteria. Be sure to see the mrsa treatment page to learn how to ask your doctor for the right test.
MRSA - A Growing Concern
Staph infections and mrsa have been a growing menace and concern for many years now and things are only getting worse.
MRSA Statistics
- According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the year 2005, mrsa was responsible for an estimated 94,000 invasive life-threatening infections and close to 19,000 deaths (more than AIDS).
- In the US in 2003, there were an estimated 12 million doctor or emergency room visits for skin and soft tissue infections suspected to be caused by staph
aureus.
- Hospitals in England have seen a 548% increase in mrsa related deaths from 2003 to 2004!
Healthcare Associated MRSA (HA-MRSA)
Often called hospital acquired MRSA, HA-MRSA is usually picked up from a hospital stay. Until recently, most mrsa cases were contracted in hospital or healthcare environments, like nursing homes and dialysis centers. Hospital patients with open wounds, invasive devices like catheters or IV's, and weakened immune systems are at greater risk for an HA-MRSA infection than the
general public. HA-MRSA is still a big problem for those undergoing hospitalization.
HA-MRSA Statistics
- Approximately 20% of bloodstream infections in hospitals are now caused by the Staph aureus bacteria.
- In 2003, 64.4% of hospital onset bacterial infections in intensive care units were HA-MRSA infections.
- Types of post-operative hospital infections have changed over the years from typically wound infections in the 1960's to urinary tract infections in the 1970's and 1980's.
- Currently 43% of post-operative hospital infections are now pneumonia! This drastically increases a patients chance for death when mrsa is concerned. Be sure to read the staph infection treatment.
Unfortunately, hospital staff who do not follow proper sanitary procedures inadvertently transfer bacteria from patient to patient. Some hospitals screen for mrsa and isolate such patients, but most US hospitals do not do this.
Community Associate MRSA (CA-MRSA)
Until recently, hospitals were the most likely area you'd get mrsa. The biggest mrsa health risk right now is CA-MRSA. CA-MRSA are infections that occur in healthy people who have not been hospitalized within the last year. CA-MRSA also applies to people who acquire MRSA who've not had any medical procedure done within the last year
in a health-care facility such as dialysis, surgery, or catheters.
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA), CA-MRSA has become the most frequent cause of skin and soft tissue infections presenting to emergency departments in the United States. CA-MRSA infections are usually skin infections, such as abscesses, boils, and other pus-filled lesions.
How do I get CA-MRSA? Read about mrsa infection control to learn about transmission of mrsa and staph bacteria.
Knowlege is the most important tool that you have to regain your health. Learn all the facts about MRSA and discover the latest treatment and prevention options available to you in the book MRSA Secrets Revealed.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this website and in our manuals and bonuses are not intended to replace a personal relationship with a qualified health care professional nor is it intended as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider
with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Our information is intended as a sharing of information and knowledge from the research and experience of Michelle and Les Moore, Staph-Infection-Resources.com. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. |
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