Every year, a MRSA Staph infection kills more people in the United States than the AIDS virus. This mutated bacterium is particularly virulent in hospitals and nursing homes, where weakened patients are vulnerable to infection. And because it is resistant to most antibiotics, what would normally be a harmless irritant can become life-threatening if left untreated. Many individuals planning a hospital stay become concerned about this infection, its symptoms and treatment. The good news is that for most healthy adults, a MRSA infection is not dangerous. Anyone, however, who can foresee a period of weakened immunity or who will be undergoing surgery should be sure to watch him or herself for signs of this tenacious bacterium.
Normal Staphylococcus aureus are some of the most widely-prevalent bacteria in the world. It’s estimated that one out of four people in the United States have Staph colonies in their 
noses or urinary tracts. Typically, the bacteria cause minor afflictions, such as pimples, boils and abscesses. In more serious cases Staphylococcus aureus can cause pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis and endocarditis. A combination of antibiotics and the body’s natural immune system are usually enough to treat all of these illnesses. However, a MRSA Staph infection is an entirely different matter. MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. As its name implies, this strain of bacteria is resistant to the penicillin family of antibiotics, as well as the cephalosporins.
MRSA first emerged in the UK during the 1960s, but did not make its way to America until the early 1980s. There, it began to emerge in needle-sharing drug users before developing significant populations in hospitals. Infection rates rose sharply through the next few decades, particularly in the United States. Today, the MRSA Staph infection is a global health threat, causing massive research initiatives to find antibiotics that are effective against it. The greatest risk is that symptoms of an infection should go unnoticed, thus giving the bacteria time to thrive before treatment can begin. Studies have found that those infected in hospitals have a mortality rate five times higher than those who escape infection. Because of this, it’s essential that anyone spending time in high-risk areas know what to look for.
Symptoms of a MRSA Staph Infection
MRSA can remain asymptomatic for years, but usually symptoms onset quickly. The first signs of an infection tend to be pimple-like bumps on the skin. A fever and rash follows soon afterwards. The bumps grow over the next few days into painful boils filled with oozing pus. For most strains of MRSA, the bacteria will not advance past the skin. Others, however, make it to the organs, blood stream and urinary tract of victims. This causes much more serious illnesses like sepsis, necrotizing pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome. Septic shock sets in once the bacteria spread to the blood system, and once the bacteria have settled into major organs, treatment becomes very difficult.
Individuals displaying these symptoms should seek medical attention as quickly as possible. MRSA is no longer centralized in medical facilities. A bit over 10% of cases are now found in patients that picked up the infection from the community, and not from a hospital. An outbreak of rashes or boils should be investigated no matter what the cause. Anyone with even the slightest concern should not be a hazard to weaker civilians, and should instead get treatment before infecting others.
Prevention and Treatment of a MRSA Staph Infection
The best way to halt the spread of MRSA is for hospitals and the general public to practice basic sanitation measures that can both stymie the bacterium, as well as preventing it from developing new resistances to antibiotics. Alcohol is effective in killing the virus, so surfaces in medical facilities should be wiped down regularly. Because MRSA can survive nearly anywhere, hospital rooms must be decontaminated after every patient leaves. Some hospitals have also taken to checking nasal cultures before admitting patients. These measures can be time-consuming and expensive, but are essential to ensure patient safety. Citizens can also help by avoiding antibiotic use unless absolutely necessary. Doctors are now limiting prescriptions in an attempt to slow the rapid mutations of Staphylococcus aureus.
Once a patient is infected with a MRSA Staph infection, treatment options are assessed depending on the severity of the case. The infection is immune to most common antibiotics, meaning more creative plans must be utilized. Newer drugs like vancomycin have been shown to be effective against MRSA, but some strains are now immune even to that. In such cases, even more powerful drugs such as tigecycline must be used. In moderate to severe cases, patients may be hospitalized for up to two weeks and attached to IV fluids as they battle the illness.
More effective treatments for MRSA are in development today. These include new antibiotics, but also a few surprising contributions from the natural world. Maggot treatments can remove infected flesh from a wound, while garlic and honey have both been found to kill MRSA. Cannabinoids and certain mushrooms also limit and reverse the growth of MRSA bacteria. Hopefully, these promising leads can result in the development of a reliable, safe and efficient cure for the infection.
Anyone who will be spending time in a medical center, such as a hospital, has every right to bring some alcoholic hand-sanitizer and request that all medical professionals wash their hands before treatment. Simple steps like this may be the difference between a quick and peaceful stay, or several weeks racking up hospital bills on an IV drip. Although the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a worrying sign for the future of medicine, the spread of the MRSA Staph infection can be halted with careful sanitation practices.
For more information about preventing MRSA staph infection take a look at this short YouTube video.
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