Mercer disease is actually an incorrect name given to MRSA disease, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, derived from the direct pronunciation of the acronym. MRSA occurs when Staphylococcus aureas bacteria that have become resistant to the antibiotic methicillin and other antibiotics infect the skin and sometimes spread to other areas of the body. Staphylococcus aureas is normally present on the skin, but can infect any wound or entryway into the body and cause a staph infection. Staph infections are common and are typically treated with antibiotics, but those defined as MRSA are resistant to traditional methods of treatment.
Types
The two types of MRSA are health care-associated MRSA and community-associated MRSA, according to Medline Plus. Health care-associated MRSA, also known as HA-MRSA, comes from an infection that occurred in a hospital setting. HA-MRSA may develop in open wounds or at sites of entry for injections, catheters or breathing tubes. Community-associated MRSA, also called CA-MRSA, occurs outside a hospital and generally shows up in otherwise healthy individuals. Athletes, children and military personnel are most at risk for these kinds of infections, especially if they share personal health care items or sporting equipment.
Symptoms
The symptoms of MRSA are similar to those of a normal staph infection. These include fever, small bumps that develop into skin abscesses, red swollen areas of skin that may be warm to the touch and a drainage of pus from the site of infection. If the infection spreads to other areas inside the body, symptoms that may become apparent include chills, fatigue, chest pain, head and muscle aches, shortness of breath and a rash.
Prevention
Frequent hand washing for at least 15 seconds using soap and water is one proven method of avoiding acquiring MRSA, according to the Nemours Foundation. Concerned individuals should also avoid sharing items that come in contact with the skin, including towels, sporting equipment, razors or toys and children should be taught to also avoid sharing these things with others, especially in a day care or school setting. Cleaning and bandaging all wounds promptly can help reduce the risk of MRSA by depriving it of an avenue into the body. Exercise equipment at a gym or health club should be cleaned using an antiseptic solution before every use.
Treatment
MRSA infections are resistant to many of the antibiotics used in the past. However, some antibiotics that may still be effective, depending on the particular strain of MRSA, include clindamycin, doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, vanomycin and daptomycin, explains Medline Plus. It is important to continue taking all antibiotics as prescribed, even if symptoms go away early in treatment, because stopping a course of antibiotics early can lead to further resistance developing in the bacteria. Sometimes, antibiotics are unnecessary and simply lancing and draining the abscess can treat the MRSA infection.
Complications
Untreated MRSA can spread into the blood and cause sepsis. It may also lead to other infections including pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome. Some individuals die of MRSA, especially HA-MRSA. Complications are more likely for individuals who are immunocompromised through disease or injury, so are more common in HA-MRSA than in CA-MRSA.
