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HEALTH AND SAFETY ALERT
Office of Developmental Programs
November 9, 2007
Methicillin-Resistance Staphylococcus Aureus
What is Methicillin-Resistance Staphylococcus Aureus?
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to as “staph”, are bacteria normally found on the skin or nose of healthy
people. Approximately 25% of the population is colonized in the nose with staph bacteria. Staph infections are
one of the most common causes of infection in the United States. Methicillin is an antibiotic used to treat these
types of infections. However, some staphylococcus aureus have developed a resistance to Methicillin. This
means that these staph are no longer killed by Methicillin and it can’t be used to treat these infections. These
staph are called Methicillin-Resistance Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). MRSA occurs most frequently among
persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened
physical conditions.
What is the difference between Colonization and Infection?
Colonization means that staph bacteria are present on or in the body without causing illness. Infection means
that the staph bacteria is making the person ill.
How do you get MRSA?
MRSA, like other staph bacteria, is found on the skin, in the nose, and in the blood and urine of individuals.
MRSA is spread from one person to another by direct contact. That means that people with MRSA on their
skin, especially hands spread it by touching another person. It can also be spread by being in crowded areas or
sharing of personal items. MRSA usually develops in the elderly, the chronically ill, people with an open wound
or a urinary catheter. Contact with equipment surfaces contaminated with body fluids containing the MRSA
bacteria can also spread the infection. Opportunities for transmission occur when people move from acute care
setting (hospital) to long term care settings or back home.
What does a staph or MRSA infection look like?
Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infection that may look like a pimple or boil. It is often red,
swollen, and painful with pus or other drainage. It can also cause more serious infections like pneumonia, blood
stream infections (sepsis), or surgical wound infections.
If you have a staph or MRSA infection, how can you prevent others from getting it?
Basic infection control practices are the key to the prevention and control of MRSA in healthcare and other
settings when a person is infected or colonized with MRSA. General infection control practices include:
 Washing your hands with soap and warm water
 Keeping cuts and scraps clean and covered with a bandage until healed
 Avoiding contact with other people’s wounds or bandages
 Avoiding sharing personal items like towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms that may have
had contact with the infected wound or bandage
 Wash soiled items with water and detergent and dry them in a hot dryer rather that air drying
 Careful handling of soiled items; items like bandages may be discarded in the regular trash and good
handwashing after discarding with prevent spread
.
It is important to have open good communication and education among the health care and other workers,
people with the colonization or infection, and their family and caregivers.
How is MRSA treated?
The first step in treatment is prevention by using good infection control procedures. Individuals who are
colonized with MRSA usually do not need to be treated as treatment does not get rid of the bacteria and can
create more resistance. When an individual develops an infection, they should be evaluated by a physician to
determine if treatment with antibiotics or incision and drainage is necessary.
Is it possible for the infection to return?
Yes. It is possible for the infection to return after it is treated. To prevent this from happening, follow your
healthcare provider’s instructions while you have the infection and the prevention steps after the infection is
gone.
Additional information on MRSA can be found on the Centers for Disease Control website at
http://www.cdc/gov
.