Methicillin-resistant

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body. It's tougher to treat than most strains of Staphylococcus aureus—or staph—because it's resistant to some commonly used antibiotics.

Overview

The symptoms of MRSA depend on where you're infected. Most often, it causes mild infections on the skin, like sores or boils. But it can also cause more serious skin infections or infect surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs, or the urinary tract.

Though most MRSA infections aren't serious, some can be life-threatening. Many public health experts are alarmed by the spread of tough strains of MRSA. Because it's hard to treat, MRSA is sometimes called a "super bug."

Prevention

Practicing good hygiene is the best defense. Here are some prevention tips:

• Wash your hands. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Keep wounds covered. Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal.
• Don't share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, razors, clothing and athletic equipment.
• Sanitize linens. If you have a cut or sore, wash towels and bed linens in a washing machine set to the hottest water setting (with added bleach, if possible) and dry them in a hot dryer.

Treatment

MRSA is resistant to many antibiotics so it can be difficult to treat. However, some antibiotics can treat MRSA and doctors usually rely on vancomycin.

See also

• Antibiotic resistance
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Vancomycin

Methicillin-resistant Resources
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