What is MRSA?
MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), commonly called staph. These bacteria commonly are carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Some staph bacteria are resistant to antibiotics such as methicillin or cephalexin (Keflex), which frequently are used to treat staph. These are called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA.
How is MRSA spread?
MRSA almost always is spread by direct physical contact – not through the air. It also can be spread through indirect contact by touching objects such as towels, sheets, wound dressings, clothes, workout areas, or sports equipment contaminated by the infected skin of a person with staph bacteria or MRSA.
What kinds of illnesses does MRSA cause?
Staph bacteria can cause different kinds of illness, including skin infections, bone infections, pneumonia and life-threatening bloodstream infections. Since MRSA is a staph bacterium, it can cause the same kinds of infection as staph.
At one time, those more at risk for MRSA infections were hospitalized patients who were elderly or very sick or who had an open wound, such as a bedsore or a tube going into their bodies (such as a urinary catheter or intravenous catheter).
MRSA now is very common in the community in many areas of the country, especially in Houston. It causes infections in people who do not have the traditional risk factors. At Texas Children’s Hospital, 76 percent of staph isolates recovered from children who were infected in the community tested positive for MRSA.
MRSA infections acquired in hospitals and health care settings as well as in the community can be severe.
How can MRSA infections be prevented?
The most effective way to prevent staph or MRSA infections is to practice good hygiene. Other tips include:
- Keep your and your children’s hands clean by frequently washing them thoroughly with soap and water.
- Pay close attention to cuts and insect bites, especially on children.
- Cover cuts and abrasions with bandages until healed.
- Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or material contaminated from wounds, including towels and bed sheets.
- Do not allow children to share towels or workout clothes.
- Keep children’s fingernails cut short to reduce germs spread by scratching.
