MRSA

What is MRSA?
It's a bacteria that antibiotics such as methicillin no longer have an effect on.    On healthy people, the bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus can be located on their skin or inside the nose. An infection can begin when this bacteria enters the body through the skin. When a Staphylococcus Aureus infection begins, methicillin is the drug commonly chosen to treat it. Over a period of time the bacteria may build up a tolerance to methicillin, resulting in eventual resistance to the drug.

Risk Factors
MRSA is transmitted through contact with an infected person or object. It frequently surfaces in nursing homes and hospitals. Hospital units such as intensive care units, burn units, surgical and orthopedic wards are more susceptible to an MRSA infection. The high susceptibility in hospitals is due to
open sores, invasive tube insertions and decreased immune levels. The elderly are more at risk due to more health problems and frequent use of antibiotics in the past. Other factors for MRSA include underlying medical conditions such as COPD, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Treatment for MRSA
Intravenous antibiotics are used to treat an MRSA infection. Teicoplanin and Vancomycin are two of the last resort antibiotics to be used, although resistance to the latter is becoming more prevalent.

Prevention for MRSA
The following precautions should be taken when dealing with MRSA patients:
     *Proper handwashing before and after patient contact
     *Sterilization of objects that came in contact with the patient
     *Wearing protective clothing such as gown, gloves and a mask
     *Avoid body fluids
     *Isolate the patient
     *Wash laundry separately
     *Dispose of waste products in a separate container