Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRSA, is a strain of staph bacteria that does not respond to the antibiotics commonly used to treat staph infections, according to Medline Plus. MRSA infections are either health care-related and occur in hospitalized individuals, or community-related and occur in the non-hospitalized population. Medline Plus notes that the number of MRSA cases are rising. Therefore, it is wise to be aware of early MRSA symptoms.
Swollen or Inflamed Skin Areas
According to the National Health Service, most MRSA infections are skin infections marked by red, swollen and tender flesh. The difference between an MRSA infection and a regularly inflamed wound will be the presence of pus and other fluids seeping from the site, according to Medline Plus.
Warmth
Wounds that are warm to the touch are an early symptom of MRSA infections, according to Medline Plus. This is especially true when the warmth is combined with other early warning signs of a staph infection, including fever.
Skin Abscesses
Medline Plus identifies skin abscesses as an early warning sign of an MRSA infection. This is confirmed by the National Health Service, which notes that abscesses may become filled with pus as the infections continues to work on the body, and may appear wherever the infection gains a foothold in the skin.
Boils, Blisters or Carbuncles
In addition to inflamed wound areas, the National Health Service notes that raised areas of pus and fluid are signs of an MRSA infection. Medline Plus reports that these areas can turn into cellulitis, while the National Health Service makes a point of warning individuals to watch for carbuncles, which are large pus-filled lumps under the skin that may not be draining topically.
Fever
As an MRSA takes hold in the body it can cause fever, according to Medline Plus. Though this may be dismissed as a flu-like symptom, it should be taken seriously as an early MRSA symptom.
Muscle and Joint Pain
A sign that the MRSA infection has progressed from a skin infection and reached the bloodstream is severe joint pain, which the National Health Service categorizes as septic arthritis. Medline Plus points to muscle aches as a further warning sign of the presence of an MRSA infection that needs appropriate treatment.
