Description Of MRSA Symptoms

Introduction

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, or MRSA is a common and dangerous illness. It is a form of the bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus. Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph) is a common bacteria found in the nose or on the skin in 25% of human. It is not dangerous or harmful, unless the person has a weak immune system. When the immune system is weakened, MRSA can cause serious illness and even death. MRSA can be picked up through skin to skin contact and if the skin has been broken, but also by toilets, gym equipment, locker rooms and towels.

Symptoms Description

It generally starts with small painful bumps on the skin that look like acne, bacteria can enter the bloodline through a cut or wound, this can cause dangerous infections through out the body.

The symptoms to look for are:

1.) Skin Boils

2.) Carbuncles

3.) Styes

4.) Impetigo

5.) Abscesses

6.) Cellulitis

7.) Urinary tract infection

8.) Bloodstream infection

Skin Boils or furuncles are deep infections of the hair follicles, they are commonly caused by SA bacteria infection. They are a painful swollen skin area caused by pus.

Carbuncles are larger than boils, with openings draining pus on the skin. It is caused by SA becteria infection. Carbuncles are contagious and can spread to other body areas or other people.

Styes or hordeolumes are an infection of the sebaceous glands of the Zeis on the eyelashes or the apocrine sweat glands of Moll. They are commonly caused by SA bacteria infection or by the blocking of an oil glan on the eyelash.

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that is very contagious, most commonly infected are younger children and close contact sports players.

Abscesses are collections of dead neutrophils (pus) that gathered in a cavity as a defensive reaction to prevent the spread of the infection to other areas of the body.

Cellulitis is an inflammation of the skin, it appears most commonly on the face or lower leg, but can appear anywhere on the body.

Urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract. Bacteria gets into the bladder or kidney and they multiply in the urin, witch does not contain bacteria usually.

Bloodstream infection or Bacteremia is the invasion of bacteria in the bloodstream. Bloodstream infection can occur due to a surgical procedure, injection, infection or wound. It can pass without symptoms or can lead to septic shock, witch can lead to death.

Conclusion

MRSA can also cause wound infections, smallpox, influenza and postoperative suppuration. MRSA is diagnosed with lab tests, that can give us a result within 48 hours, but newer DNA testing can give us a result within a couple of hours.When MRSA is diagnosed, it is generally treated with antibiotics, most commonly vancomycin. But lately there are more and more reports of this antibiotic not being so effective, because of mutations of the MRSA bacteria.

The best prevention for the MRSA bacteria is personal hygiene, thoroughly wash your hands, and disinfect them, using band-aids on your cuts and wounds.

If you identify any of the above symptoms, you should seek medical advice immediately. Like with generally any other disease, the sooner it is identified and the sooner the treating starts, the more likely it is that it can be taken care of without further complications.