Methicillian resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is a highly contagious and infectious bacterium. MRSA can infect organs such as the heart and lungs and can also cause skin infections. MRSA can cause new skin wounds or infect existing wounds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that wounds infected with MRSA may be slow to heal, or appear to get worse instead of better.
MRSA is difficult to treat, as the bacterium is resistant to many currently available antibiotics. Anyone with a suspected MRSA-infected wound should seek immediate medical attention and cover the wound with a leak-proof dressing to avoid infecting others until medical advice is sought.
Boils
MRSA can cause new skin wounds by first presenting as a boil, pimple or suspected spider bite. A small, raised and often painful bump can appear anywhere on the body, generally close to a hair follicle. The bump may become hard and give an itching or burning sensation when touched. The bump may be fluid filled and burst open over time, or may simply change into an open sore; both can result in a skin abscess, or open wound of skin. The Mayo Clinic says some boils may never abscess, resulting in a hard, painful bump that requires surgical draining. Without treatment, MRSA-infected boils can cause internal damage as the bacteria enters deep into the body's tissues.
Wound Drainage
Wound drainage can be copious and change from clear, to bloody or discolored. Pus may drain around the wound edges, wound center, or both and can be identified as yellow, cloudy discharge. Pus may accumulate inside the wound as well, or form beneath the wound edges.
Inflamed Appearance, Warm to Touch
Wounds infected with MRSA are prone to abscessing. This results in a wound with red, inflamed skin at the edges of the wound and a deep, pitted center. Wounds feel warm to the touch and are often painful when touched. MRSA wounds may be slow to heal and have increasing redness, inflammation and pain instead of getting better.
General Illness
MRSA-infected wounds can cause feelings of general illness, such as fever, body aches and chills. Vomiting and nausea can accompany MRSA infection as well. Feelings of ill health along with a wound that is slow to heal, or appears infected, have the potential for MRSA infection and should prompt medical attention for proper treatment.
