MRSA
Doctors of Internal Medicine in Fremont, CA
MRSA is short for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This
is a type of bacterial infection that is resistant to many antibiotic
treatments, which is what makes it particularly dangerous. MRSA is resistant
to multiple antibiotics that other strains of staphylococcus aureus or
“staph” are not resistant to, which means it is much more
difficult to treat. Read more about
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection.
What Are the Symptoms of MRSA?
MRSA usually appears as a mild skin infection that resembles a sore or
a boil. IN some cases, it can be a more serious infection.
Other instances of MRSA are infections of:
- Surgical wounds
- Urinary tract
- Bloodstream
- Lungs
MRSA can be life threatening, but in most cases it is not a cause of major
concern. Due to the fact that MRSA is constantly adapting, changing, and
adjusting, it can be difficult to treat. This is why it is sometimes referred
to as a “super bug.”
MRSA is spread through contact with a person or object that is contaminated
by the bacteria. About 1 in 50 people are carriers of MRSA, but most are
not infected. People in hospital settings or other medical settings with
weakened immune systems are most susceptible to MRSA.