How Is MRSA Infection Spread?
- Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain of bacteria resistant to broad-spectrum antibiotics. The MRSA bacteria is caused by staphylococcus aureus bacteria, commonly known as staph. Someone carrying the MRSA bacteria does not know they have it, until they have been screened. MRSA is spread in several ways.
- MRSA is a frequent problem in health-care settings, such as hospitals. A healthy person may carry the MRSA bacteria with no signs or symptoms. It is not until the bacteria has a chance to enter the body, and the immune system is weakened that people get sick from MRSA. This is the reason MRSA is commonly associated with hospitals. In patients, MRSA most often appears around surgical wounds or devices such as feeding tubes. Most patients are tested for the MRSA strain upon entering the hospital, and treated with more caution and medication if they are found to have the bacteria. A MRSA patient with an open wound is much more likely to spread the infection. A visitor to a patient with open wounds must wear a mask and gloves for protection.
- You can become infected via skin-to-skin contact with someone carrying MRSA and skin-to-surface contact with an object that has recently been touched by someone with the bacteria. Avoid direct contact with someone who has a MRSA infection, and wash your hands thoroughly and often.
Although it is highly contagious, MRSA can be controlled with frequent hand washing and being mindful not to have direct contact with a person known to be carrying the bacteria.
