Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
MRSA stands for methicillin resistant
staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus
aureus is a bacterium that can be found in
the nose and on the skin of some people.
It can make you sick if it gets into a
wound, urine, blood or lungs.
Some
strains of staphylococcus aureus have
become resistant to methicillin-like
antibiotics, such as Nafcillin. This means
that these antibiotics will not treat a
MRSA infection.
MRSA can spread from one place on
your body to another. MRSA is usually
spread from person to person through
physical contact and cannot be contracted
through the air. It can be spread from person
to person on the hands of hospital
staff, or from items that are used on or by
more than one person.
Detection
To test for MRSA, a culture is taken by
swabbing the patient’s nose. Cultures of
urine, blood, sputum or cultures taken
from a wound may also show that you have MRSA.
Treatment
The Department of Epidemiology and
Infection Control may order the use of a
special soap for bathing/showering and
the use of an ointment for your nose.
Your doctor will order an antibiotic if you
have a MRSA infection.
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