MRSA: Drug-Resistant Staph Prevalent in Emergency Rooms
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) has become prevalent in emergency rooms. Previously, it was associated with special risk groups, such as prisoners and athletes. Victims frequently believe that the skin irritation is caused by a spider bite, because of the wound's initial appearance. However, if it becomes a pus-leaking boil or abscess, seek medical attention.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), staph bacteria is one of the most common skin infections. MRSA occurs most frequently among patients with weakened immune systems, and is a common cause of surgical wound infections, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia.
MRSA cannot be treated with traditional antibiotics. However, there are several effective antibiotics and many patients improve without antibiotics after their boils or abscesses are treated.
As reported by WebMD, common sense advice from the CDC includes:
- "If you've got an infected wound or pus-filled boil, see your doctor.
- Carefully follow your doctor's advice on how to care for your wound.
- Cover skin infections -- especially those with pus -- with clean, dry bandages. Pus from skin infections and infected wounds spread staph to other people.
- If you have a skin infection or infected wound, tell your family and other close contacts to wash their hands often with soap and warm water. Remember to wash properly: Scrub your hands and fingers while saying the alphabet slowly. Don't stop until you get to Z.
- Don't share personal items -- including towels, washcloths, razors, or clothing -- that may have come into contact with an infection. Wash bed linens, towels, and clothing in hot water and laundry detergent. Dry these items in a hot dryer, not on the clothesline.
- If you have MRSA, tell any doctor who treats you that you have an antibiotic-resistant infection.
- If your doctor gives you antibiotics for a skin infection, be alert for signs of treatment failure. If you get any new boils, sores, or new infections, call your doctor. If your fever gets worse -- or if you get a new fever -- call your doctor. If your infection doesn't look a little better after three or four days, call your doctor. Remember to take all your medicine as prescribed, even if you seem to be better."