Is MRSA Contagious?
Almost 1% of the human population across the world is infected with the MRSA virus. While many people experience full-blown symptoms of the disease, the rest are simply carriers who don't have symptoms but can pass on the infection.
What Is MRSA?MRSA, or Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, is a strain of staph bacteria that cannot be treated with Methicillin, the standard antibiotic used for treating staph contagion.
So Is The Infection Untreatable?
No, MRSA transmission or infections can be treated with antibiotics other than Methicillin, and a full cure is possible, though the infection may linger on among residents in a closed community.
Who Are At Risk?
People with weakened immune systems, such as those above the age of 60, those who have recently undergone surgery, or have a history of substance abuse have higher chances of being infected from the MRSA disease. People whose immune system has weakened as a result of prolonged illness are also susceptible to MRSA contagious. Improperly treated wounds and invasive medical instruments can provide a path for infection. It is rare for healthy people to get infected.
How Are People Infected?
MRSA transmission or infection spreads through skin, body fluids, and nose. Touching an infected person or their belongings and infected tools can lead to infection. Doctors and nurses who come in contact with MRSA contagious patients often become infected if they don't take adequate precautions. Not all physical contact is harmful; a healthy person can hug an infected person as long as they are careful not to touch anything with their blood or saliva. The infection is not airborne.
How Can Infection And MRSA Transmission Be Prevented?
Bandage wounds and open sores to prevent infection. If you have dressed or touched the wound, wash hands immediately. Avoid sharing towels, bedclothes, clothes, and other items of personal use.
Hospital workers should wear protective clothing such as gloves, masks, and gowns. Use a disinfectant to wash hands after handling patients and infected surfaces.
What Are The Symptoms?
Lesion areas may be inflamed. The patient may feel lethargic or have a fever. If not treated in time, the MRSA disease can be fatal.
Are There Places Where Infection Can Spread More Rapidly?
MRSA transmission was once almost exclusively associated with hospitals. Therefore, medical workers are particularly at risk, since they must handle infected patients as well as infected surfaces. MRSA, once established at a hospital, cannot be removed easily. There are specific procedures laid down for hospitals to deal with MRSA contagious.
MRSA infections has since moved into the larger community. Schools for example are another place where the infection may spread rapidly, largely due to sharing infected items of personal use and improper sterilization of wounds and lesions.
Recent studies have shown that more than a quarter of the population in elderly care facilities (up to 35 percent) may be infected with MRSA. Most often, the infected are carriers but they can pass on the infection to medically ill residents, leading to a full-blown MRSA infection.
MRSA bacteria can spread easily where adequate hygiene levels are not maintained. The problem in dealing with MRSA transmission is its persistence - people may be carriers without being aware of it or ever experiencing symptoms. However, they may transmit the infection to people in poor health, who will experience symptoms and possible complications. Because of the antibiotic resistant nature of MRSA transmission, a complete cure in a population can be difficult. Prevention, as always, remains a better alternative to cure of MRSA contagious.