MRSA Development
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staph aureus. Methicillin is a type of antibiotics used to treat many bacterial infections, including those caused by Staph aureus. One danger of using antibiotics is that the treated bacteria can develop resistance to these antibiotics. Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics when exposed to the drugs but are not completely killed off by the antibiotic. The more antibiotics are used, the higher the risk that bacteria will develop resistance to the antibiotic. Methicillin is not the only kind of antibiotic that's subject to this problem, but MRSA is a serious health problem because Staph aureus can cause very dangerous infections of the skin (particularly areas where the skin has been damaged) and because methicillin is one of the most commonly used medications for treating Staph aureus. In addition, strains of Staph aureus that are resistant to methicillin may be resistant to other antibiotics.
In the Hospital
One of the most common places where MRSA is contracted are hospitals. Part of this is due to the fact that antibiotic use is rampant in hospitals in order to treat and prevent infections, which increases the likelihood that any bacteria found in hospitals will have developed resistance to antibiotics. Because there are so many sick people close together, hospitals are also subject to bacterial infections (such as Staph aureus) being spread from one person to the next. In addition, Staph aureus can get into the body through breaks in the skin, such as those caused by IVs or catheters or via healing wounds.
In the Community
In recent years, MRSA has also been found outside of medical settings. It can be contracted via skin-on-skin contact, such as that caused by playing contact sports. It can also be acquired from sharing towels or clothing with people who are infected. People can also contract MRSA as a result of living in crowded or unsanitary conditions. MRSA can also be contracted by people who frequently interact with health care workers, who can contract the disease from their workplace.
