MRSA Symptoms
Most infections will show up with the below mentioned MRSA symptoms:
- Small red bumps in the skin. This infection will come up in the cellulitis layer of the skin that is made up of fats and the tissues and lies just below the skin.
- Pus filled boils of the hair follicles.
- Infection in the eyes with the formation of a sty.
- Collection of pus under the skin known as abscess.
- Skin infection with pus filled blisters known as Impetigo.
- Infection in the skin that is larger than abscess and leads to several openings in the skin also known as carbuncles.
MRSA skin infection also known as Staph skin infections usually start with small red bumps that look like simple pimples or spider bites.
Soon these small bumps which are initial MRSA symptoms turn into a painful, deep collection of pus under the skin that might even require surgical draining. Though the skin infection usually remains confined to the upper layer to the skin, at times it can also penetrate the body.
If the bacteria enters the body it can cause life threatening infections to the bloodstream, joints, bones, heart valves, lungs and surgical wounds.
MRSA bacteria And Its Causes
MRSA bacteria is a strain that is resistant to broad spectrum antibiotics. It affects both children and adults with weak immune systems.
People who are infected with the MRSA virus and have initial MRSA symptoms have to be quarantined as they hold a great risk of transferring the disease to others. Antibiotic resistance is the main cause for the survival of the MRSA bacteria.
Risk Factors Associated With MRSA
The risk factors associated with MRSA bacteria strains can be divided into two categories:
- Community associated MRSA or CA-MRSA: This strain is particularly dangerous for children and those who are participating in contact sports. The strain enters the body through a cut and turns into a widespread infection.
- Children are more susceptible as their immune system is not completely developed because of which they do not have the antibodies to fight the bacteria. The bacterial infection can also lead to dangerous forms of pneumonia in children.
- For those involved in contact sports the bacteria spreads through skin-to-skin contact. Even sharing athletic equipment or towels can spread the infection. Others who are at a risk of contacting MRSA infection are those who live in crowded, unsanitary conditions and health care workers.
- Health care associated MRSA or HA-MRSA: Those who have currently been discharged from the hospital are more vulnerable to this strain. Besides them people who live in a long-term care facility and those who are on invasive devices (dialysis, feeding tubes) also face a high risk. At times even recent antibiotic use can increase the risk of an HA-MRSA infection.
Preventive Measures
The best way to prevent an MRSA infection is to wash one's hands frequently. Hospitals are also making use of surveillance systems to track the bacterial outbreak and keeping track of MRSA symptoms. Several investigating products like disinfectant gloves and antibiotic coated catheters are also being used in hospitals to fight the infection.