MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)

(from Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors)

What is Staphylococcus aureus?

Staphylococcus aureus are bacteria that normally live on people's skin, in noses and groins. It is the most common cause of minor infection in wounds, pimples, boils and impetigo. It can also be the cause of some more serious conditions such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome. Most infections will clear after appropriate treatment with antibiotics.

What is Methicillan Resistant Staphylococcus aureus?

Resistance to antibiotics happens when the bacteria produce an enzyme that breaks down antibiotics. S.aureus bacteria have a unique protein that stops the antibiotic from attaching to the bacteria and killing it. This Is MRSA, a strain of S.aureus that is resistant to a large number of antibiotics making it difficult to treat because of the limited number of antibiotics available.

What are the symptoms of MRSA?

The symptoms of an infection with MRSA are no different than the symptoms of any other type of S.aureus bacteria. In wound infections the skin will appear red and inflamed around the wound site. In serious cases it can cause fever, tiredness and a headache. In urinary tract infections it causes a burning sensation during urination and an increase in frequency to urinate.

How is MRSA transmitted?

MRSA is transmitted by direct contact with the bacteria. i.e. touching contaminated skin or objects. It is primarily an infection of concern for patients with serious health problems like major surgery, burns, transplant/implant and chemotherapy or the elderly. It is usually spread in a hospital on people's hands. Hands become contaminated when they touch a soiled object or an infected patient. If the hands are not washed before they touch another person, the bacteria will be passed to the next patient. There are still some antibiotics that can be used for treatment however physicians are cautious to avoid overuse. Most patients will clear of the bacteria once they return home.

Healthy people may carry the bacteria without knowing and very rarely develop any disease or infection from it.

How to prevent MRSA spread

Good hand washing is the best prevention. In hospital and nursing home settings, health care providers must wash their hands between patients/residents.
Patients/residents in a health care facility that have a MRSA infection may be isolated to lesson the chance of spread to other patients/ residents.
Clean and sanitize objects in contact with an infected person after every use e.g. stethoscopes, bedpans etc. or dedicate this equipment to the patient.