What is MRSA? Symptoms and Prevention
What is MRSA? You've probably seen the recent headlines about this menacing "super bug" ravaging through hospitals, gyms, and even schools.
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This is a fancy way of saying that an MRSA staph infection is resistant to most antibiotics, and thus, harder to treat.
The important thing to remember is that MRSA isn't new. The threat has been around for many years, but a recent report from the American Medical Association highlighted the number of deaths it caused in 2005 (nineteen thousand). That report, combined with the untimely death of a 17-year-old student due to the infection, sparked fear in the hearts of many parents and hospital patients.
MRSA Symptoms
One of the reasons many cases of MRSA go untreated is that the symptoms are fairly common among several other illnesses. Some of the most common MRSA symptoms are simply flu-like in nature or, in some cases, red pimples or boils that seem to last longer than they should.
Still, if you feel you may have been exposed to the bacteria, you should visit your doctor immediately at the first sign of any trouble. If caught early enough, almost every case is fully treatable.
MRSA Prevention
Of course, the best way to deal with MRSA is to simply prevent it in the first place. And, it's actually easier than you might expect:
- Wash your hands. It seems easy enough, and you've been hearing it since you were a kid, but it really is one of the most effective ways to prevent MRSA, in addition to several other illnesses.
"It is not glamorous but it is very true — hand hygiene is by far the best means to prevent the spread of all diseases," said Dr. Arjun Srinivasan, an epidemiologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Cover up. Cover all scrapes, cuts, or any other open wounds with bandages and/or band-aids. If MRSA makes its way into your bloodstream, that's when it can quickly become potentially fatal.
- Ban the barefoot. If you frequent your local gym locker room, be sure to wear sandals (even in the showers). This will help keep your feet from coming in direct contact with bacteria others may have left in your path.
- Wipe it down. Always carry a towel with you when you workout, so you can wipe down any equipment that others may have inconsiderately left sweaty.
Nearly every case of MRSA is spread by direct contact, rather than through the air, which is why good hygiene is the most important and effective way to stay healthy.
Have you or anyone you know been infected by MRSA?
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Comments
I'm glad you pointed out that most cases of MRSA are completely treatable and not really the huge deal that people are being lead to believe.
It seems like every day there is a new story about this. I don't want to disrespect the seriousness of it but enough is enough when the same information keeps getting regurgitated almost like people are TRYING to scare patients from going to the hospital when the may already be nervous and should be going in.
I've been washing my hands regularly for years and people think I'm old fashioned to wash them in a restaurant before eating. I think people are just in too much of a rush, because it's one of the simplest things you can do to ward off just about any infection or bacteria.
This MRSA coverage is going overboard. Why don't we concentrate this much on the healthcare problems, or Iraq?!
I just read where one scientist figured out a way to quickly change the antibiotics to keep up with the changing MRSA virus.
My aunt contracted MRSA, but luckily it was caught quickly and easily cured. It's still a very scary thing.
My daughter has MRSA right now. This is the second time. My son had it two. It is some disgusting stuff, and I know my daughter is in alot of pain. Imagine a huge pimple, with the center being as round as a decent sized diamond, full of puss and blood. When it ruptures it is like a volcano. Leaving a whole, to heal as a ugly scare. My daughter is too beautiful to be all scared up by this mess. It is very disturbing when I have to deal with MRSA!
I know this has been somewhat overblown by all the media coverage but I still can't help but feel even more nervous about even stepping inside a hospital now.