Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection, or MRSA, is caused by a strain of staph bacteria that is highly resistant to some antibiotics, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic states that MRSA usually begins as small red bumps on the skin's surface, but can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. MRSA that burrows deep into the body can cause potentially life-threatening infections to the bones, joints, bloodstream, heart valves and lungs.
Causes
MRSA develops from a strain of bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus, or S. aureus. S. aureus is a common type of bacteria that normally lives on the skin of healthy people and in some cases the nasal passage, according to MedlinePlus. Medline Plus states the bacteria cause infection when they enter the body via a cut, sore, catheter or breathing tube. The bacteria then create infection, which can be minor or serious. Minor infections cause pimples to develop, while more serious infections involve the heart, lungs, blood and bone, according to MedlinePlus.
Health Care-Associated MRSA
MRSA infections are either health care-associated or community-associated. The health care-associated type of MRSA infection, known as HA-MRSA, involves people who currently are or recently have been in the hospital or other health care facilities, according to MedlinePlus. HA-MRSA infections usually develop from invasive procedures or devises, such as surgeries, intravenous tubing or artificial joints. However, HA-MRSA can also develop from residing in a long-term care facility, such as nursing homes or dialysis centers, since its tenants usually are older and have weakened immune systems, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Community-Associated MRSA
The community-associated type of MRSA infection, known as CA-MRSA, occurs in otherwise healthy people who have not recently been in the hospital, according to MedlinePlus. CA-MRSA usually develops from skin-to-skin contact, according to the Mayo Clinic. Therefore, MRSA can be spread easily in contact sports via cuts, abrasions and shared equipment. Living in crowded or unsanitary conditions also puts people at risk for CA-MRSA, such as those in military training camps or in jail.
Symptoms
Staph skin infections mainly affect the skin, starting as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites, according to the Mayo Clinic. The infected area is usually painful and swollen. MedlinePlus states other symptoms associated with MRSA may include fever, skin abscess, warmth around the infected area and drainage of pus or other fluids from the site. More serious staph infections may cause chest pain, chills, cough, fatigue, fever, headache, muscle aches, rash and shortness of breath.
Diagnosis and Complications
MSRA bacteria infection can be detected and confirmed from blood, skin, sputum and urine culture tests. The Mayo Clinic states that individuals’ cultures are sent to a lab where scientists place them in a dish of nutrients that encourage bacterial growth. Since bacterial growth takes approximately 48 hours, people do not find out their diagnosis for a couple of days, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Serious staph infections can cause multiple complications, such as the development of blood infections, cellulitis, heart valve infections, pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome. Untreated MRSA infections can lead to organ failure and death, according to MedlinePlus.
