Topic: Golden Staph - Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Description
MRSA or 'golden staph' is the name of a strain of bacteria called Staphylococcal aureus (Staph). This bacteria is resistant to methicillin (an antibiotic) and can become resistant to other antibiotics as well.
Staph is a normal bacteria found in the nose and on the skin of up to 50 percent of all healthy adults and children. It is usually harmless but can cause infections in people. MRSA is a common cause of infection in hospitals and long term care facilities. However in recent times, different MRSA strains have also been found in the community.
Symptoms
Staph infections can be minor showing up as pimples, boils or skin infections, or can be serious, leading to blood poisoning or lung infections. An MRSA infection like a Staph infection can also show up as skin lesions such as boils, abscesses and carbuncles. It is not possible to tell a MRSA infection and a Staph infection apart without testing. Swabs must be taken from the site of infection and sent to a pathology laboratory for testing.
Transmission
In some instances, normal Staph bacteria can get inside the body through broken skin or the lining of the nose and cause infections. People who have broken skin wounds, dermatis (a skin condition)or have has recent surgery are more likely than others to get a staph infection. MRSA, like staph can be carried on the skin and particularly in the nose of people who are 'well'. MRSA is spread in the same way as other staphylococcal infections. That is, from person to person through poor personal hygiene, insufficient hand washing, poor hygiene practices by carers, or the use of unclean equipment. Most importantly, it is transferred from one person to another via unwashed hands. In addition, people who are frequently hospitalised, such as the critically ill, dialysis patients, the elderly and the chronically ill are more susceptible to infection with MRSA.
Treatment
Although MRSA is resistant to some antibiotics, it is not resistant to all antibiotics and therefore can be treated. There are limited antibiotics available for the treatment of MRSA infections.
Health Outcome
If a person becomes infected with MRSA, the infection can be difficult to treat because the bacteria are resistant to many antibiotics especially those used as a first line treatment.
Prevention
Precautions are taken to prevent and control the spread of MRSA infections in hospitals. This may include isolating patients who carry MRSA or have an MRSA infection and the use of antiseptics for hand and body washing when there is a significant risk of the infection being spread to others in the immediate environment. Hand washing can reduce the spread of germs including MRSA. Hands should be washed for 10 to 15 seconds using soap and water and then thoroughly dried, preferably using paper towel. Hands should be washed after going to the toilet, changing nappies, blowing one's nose and before preparing food. Cuts and other breaks in the skin should be cleaned and covered. It is particularly important to wash hands before and after dressing a cut or other break in the skin.
Help and Assistance
Please consult your doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of a suspected MRSA infection.
Footnotes
Chin, J., ed. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual. 17 edition. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association, 2000: 460-470.
Mayhall, C.G., ed. Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control. 2 edition. Philadelphia: Lippincot, Williams & Wilkins 1999: 347-364.
Last Updated: 5th August, 2008
Date Valid to: 31st December, 2008
