MRSA
Introduction/Overview
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. In easier-to-understand language, it is a staph infection which is resistant to antibiotics. MRSA infection usually occurs in large health care settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes. It is also known as HA-MRSA in health care settings and CA-MRSA for community settings.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
MRSA Staph infections can start out as pimples or a rash and then turn into large abscesses. They can stay on the outside skin or get into the body and cause infections in lungs, heart valves, the bloodstream, joints, bones and wounds. Diagnosis is made with by taking a sample and growing the bacteria in a petri dish.
Known Causes
Staph bacteria is generally found on skin or within the nose. It causes no harm at all unless it enters the body through a scratch or cut. Many people in hospitals and nursing homes already have a weak immune system and are particularly affected by the disease. MRSA super bug, as it has become known, is resistant to antibiotics.
Treatments/Procedures
In hospitals and other health care settings, the antibiotic vancomycin is often used to treat MRSA infections. Because this antibiotic is also becoming resistant in some people, an abscess might be drained and treated topically instead.
Prevention / Vaccination
MRSA prevention is most successful when hands are washed frequently. In hospitals and nursing home environments, wearing gloves and gowns is recommended as is using an alcohol-based anti-bacterial cleanser and wipes. Don’t share personal care items with other people.
Prognosis / Management
MRSA infections can be managed successfully. Make sure to wash your hands several times a day. If it’s impossible to do with water, get an alcohol-based sanitizer. Always wear gloves when touching another person who has an open cut or wound. Don’t share personal items, such as razors or toothbrushes. If you have a wound, keep it covered.
Alternative Treatments & Products
There are a couple natural antibiotics used to treat MRSA infections. Colloidal silver has been around since the beginnings of the Roman Empire. In research tests, it killed MRSA and the bacterium did not become resistant to it. In Europe, olive leaf extract has been used successfully to wipe out MRSA skin infections. Tests show it to be a powerful natural antibiotic against many types of bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi.