MRSA Infection – Symptoms and Causes

ByJanis Updated

What Is MRSA?

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a bacterial infection that has developed resistance to many common antibiotics. This makes it harder to treat than regular staph infections.

MRSA appears in two main settings: healthcare facilities and community environments. Healthcare-associated MRSA occurs in hospitals, nursing homes, and dialysis centers.

It typically affects people during or after medical procedures involving devices like IV tubes or artificial joints. The infection spreads when healthcare workers don’t wash their hands properly or when patients touch contaminated surfaces.

Community-associated MRSA affects otherwise healthy people outside healthcare settings. It often starts as painful skin boils and spreads through direct skin contact.

People at higher risk include athletes in contact sports, childcare workers, and those living in crowded conditions.

Treatment Options

  • Antibiotics: While MRSA resists common antibiotics, certain specialized medications remain effective.
  • Wound drainage: Healthcare providers may need to drain infected areas.
  • Preventive measures: Proper handwashing and wound care help prevent spread.
  • Isolation protocols: Healthcare facilities use special procedures to contain infections.

The best approach to MRSA involves early detection, appropriate treatment, and careful prevention strategies.

Signs of Infection

Staphylococcus Skin Infection

Skin infections caused by staph bacteria typically begin as swollen, red bumps that may resemble pimples or spider bites. These spots are often:

  • Painful to touch
  • Warm when touched
  • Red and inflamed
  • Filled with pus or drainage

These small red bumps can quickly turn into painful boils or abscesses that may require drainage by a healthcare provider. You may also develop a fever in conjunction with these skin symptoms.

While staph infections often stay on the skin’s surface, the bacteria can sometimes move deeper into the body. When this happens, they may cause serious infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves, or lungs.

When to See a Doctor

Watch for changes in small skin issues like pimples, bug bites, and cuts. If you notice signs of infection or fever, get medical help right away. This is especially important for children whose conditions can change quickly.

Causes

In roughly one-third of people, Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria naturally live on the skin or in the nose without causing problems. These bacteria typically remain harmless unless they enter the body through wounds or cuts.

When this happens, they usually cause only minor skin issues in people with healthy immune systems. About 5% of people consistently carry the MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) type of staph bacteria, according to health authorities.

When Bacteria Outsmart Antibiotics

MRSA developed because of widespread antibiotic use over many decades. Doctors have often prescribed antibiotics for viral infections such as colds and the flu, despite their ineffectiveness against viruses.

This misuse accelerates the development of bacterial resistance. Even when antibiotics are used correctly, some bacteria survive the treatment. These surviving bacteria:

  • Adapt quickly to their environment
  • Develop ways to resist the drugs
  • Pass these resistance traits to new generations
  • Eventually learn to fight off multiple types of antibiotics

Bacteria evolve rapidly, which allows them to develop defense mechanisms against medications faster than new drugs can be created.

Risk Factors

Risk Factors for Hospital-Acquired MRSA

Hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) typically affects people in healthcare settings. People face higher risks when:

  • Being in a hospital – Especially for older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
  • Having medical devices inserted – IV lines and catheters can create pathways for bacteria to enter the body.
  • Living in nursing homes or care facilities – These environments can harbor MRSA, with carriers able to spread the bacteria even without showing symptoms.

Risk Factors for Community-Acquired MRSA

Community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) affects people outside healthcare settings. Risk factors include:

  • Contact sports participation – The bacteria spreads through skin contact, cuts, and scrapes.
  • Crowded living conditions – Military camps, childcare centers, and jails have experienced outbreaks.
  • Specific population groups, including:
    • Men who have sex with men
    • People with HIV infections
    • People who inject illicit drugs

Complications

MRSA infections can be harder to treat because they resist many common antibiotics. If untreated, these infections can spread throughout your body and become dangerous.

MRSA can affect several important parts of your body:

  • Bloodstream
  • Lungs
  • Heart
  • Bones
  • Joints

When MRSA spreads to these areas, it can lead to serious health problems that require specialized treatment.

Ways to Stop MRSA Infections

In hospitals, patients with MRSA often stay in separate rooms to prevent spread. Visitors and healthcare workers may need to wear special clothing when visiting these patients.

Healthcare workers should wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before and after seeing each patient. This simple step helps stop MRSA from spreading.

All surfaces, equipment, and laundry must be properly disinfected to kill MRSA bacteria.

Stopping Community MRSA

  • Clean your hands often
    • Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap isn’t available
    • Clean hands before eating and after using shared items
  • Take care of wounds
    • Keep cuts and scrapes clean
    • Cover wounds with clean, dry bandages
    • Change bandages regularly
  • Don’t share personal items
Items to keep personal Why it matters
Towels and bedding Can harbor bacteria
Razors Can transfer bacteria through tiny cuts
Athletic equipment Often contacts skin and sweat
Clothing Close contact with skin
  • Practice good hygiene after sports
    • Shower right after games and practices
    • Use soap and water
    • Use your own towel, not someone else’s
  • Clean your linens properly
    • Wash towels and sheets in hot water
    • Add bleach when possible
    • Use hot dryer settings
    • Wash gym clothes after each use

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Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.