MRSA Settlement: Spread, Protection Strategies, and Additional Facts
Living with MRSA: What You Need to Know
MRSA isn't always trouble—it's just when bacteria called Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) settles on your body without causing any issues that we call colonization. No symptoms, no worries, right? Well, not quite.
MRSA can chill out in moist spots, like your:
- snoz
- gullet
- basket-balls (groin)
- armpits
- the doughnut hole (skin folds)
- privates
Even if you're feeling hunky-dory, MRSA colonization can steer clear potential headaches for healthcare providers. Why? Because people with MRSA on them can spread the germs without even knowing it, particularly in healthcare facilities. And boy, is that dangerous business!
MRSA infection comes with its own set of problems because this particular variety of Staphylococcus aureus is resistant to several common antibiotics, such as methicillin, penicillin, amoxicillin, and oxacillin. So, treating an MRSA infection becomes a truly tricky situation, especially for sensitive people.
MRSA transfers can occur through:
- Hugging it out with folks sporting an MRSA infection or colonization
- Sharing contaminated equipment and supplies
- Environmental contamination around your home
There's a good chance MRSA colonization could turn into MRSA infection with a weak immune system or an open wound. So, follow these hygiene tips:
- Wash your paws and scrub down regular with antibacterial soap
- Cover and clean those boo-boos
- Avoid sharing towels, razors, apparel, and bedding
- Wash clothes, linens, and towels in hot H2O and dry on a high heat
- Disinfect surfaces frequently
In healthcare settings, medical professionals might screen for MRSA presence, mainly in people set to undergo surgery. These screenings usually involve swabbing common infection areas.
If MRSA colonization is detected, they might prescribe a nose cream or spray, body wash, and shampoo to reduce MRSA bacteria. Using these babies for around 5 to 10 days will do the trick.
Stay on the lookout for indicators of skin infection, especially at openings where your skin has been sliced or abraded. Red flags for MRSA infection include:
- Owies
- Redness
- Gooey pus
- Swelling
- Hot spots
By practicing good hygiene at home and in healthcare settings, you're on the right track to decrease MRSA risks.
Wanna Know More? Learn more about MRSA.
- Does MRSA vanish on its own?
- Does chlorine kill MRSA?
- Will I forever harbor MRSA bacteria?
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, February 9). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/index.html[2] National Institutes of Health. (2020, December 14). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001325.htm[3] World Health Organization. (2019, October 23). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Some Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens (MDROs) Key Facts. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/methicillin-resistant-staphylococcus-aureus-mrsa-and-some-multidrug-resistant-pathogens-mdros[4] Mayo Clinic. (2020, November 6). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/methicillin-resistant-staphylococcus-aureus-mrsa/symptoms-causes/syc-20372411
- MRSA, a type of superbug known as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, can be found in various parts of the body such as the nose, armpits, groin, skin folds, and private parts, even when it's not causing any health-and-wellness issues.
- Infectious MRSA bacteria can lead to medical-conditions and neurological-disorders if it causes an infection, particularly in people with weakened immune systems or open wounds.
- Proper hygiene practices, including regular hand-washing, covering and cleaning wounds, avoiding sharing personal items, and disinfecting surfaces, can help reduce the risk of MRSA transfers.
- During healthcare visits, medical professionals may screen for MRSA presence and prescribe nose creams or sprays, body washes, and shampoos to manage MRSA colonization.
