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Our Expert on Infectious Diseases
Q: I've been hearing a lot in the news about MRSA recently. What is it?Ask Our Expert About MRSA
About Our ExpertChief of Infectious Diseases for Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, Luther Rhodes, M.D., tells you what you need to know about MRSA.
Q: I've been hearing a lot in the news about MRSA recently. What is it?A: MRSA is a type of bacterial infection that is resistant to some antibiotics. It stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, otherwise known as a "super bug." We've been seeing this more and more in the community, and unfortunately it's an infection that if left untreated, could cause death, though it is extremely rare for that to happen. Q: How would I know if I had MRSA?A: You would start to notice boils, or abscesses on your skin if you had an infection from MRSA or other bacterial infections. Cellulitis, an infection of tissue immediately below the skin can happen as well. Also, weeping or red looking wounds, respiratory infections and urinary tract infections could be signs of MRSA as well. Q: I heard that MRSA is resistant to common antibiotics. Is there a cure for MRSA?A: Although it is true that MRSA is resistant to some antibiotics, there are lots of different types of antibiotics and antibiotic combinations that your doctor can choose from to treat the infection. The key to treating MRSA, or any type of bacterial infection, is to get a culture of the bacteria. Once your doctor has a culture of the bacteria, it is then possible to determine which antibiotics would work the best against it. Problems stem from doctors blindly prescribing the most powerful antibiotics, and this can lead to further resistance. When you see your doctor, ask to get a culture first. Q: What are my chances of getting MRSA?A: According to a recent research study, per every 100,000 people in the United States, just 34 will contract MRSA. That being said, almost one-third of the population are carriers of the bacteria, but will never have any symptoms. It can colonize on skin and even in the nose. So while these numbers are significant enough to warrant some concern, if you practice proper hygiene, you can limit your exposure to MRSA. Q: How does MRSA spread from one person to another?A: MRSA spreads from direct contact with an affected surface. It can spread easily in schools, gymnasiums and sports equipment because not all surfaces are cleaned properly. It can also be spread by wearing the same clothes for more than two days in a row. So really, any surface that came in contact with MRSA could pass the bacteria onto someone else, more so if the person has an open, uncovered wound. Q: How do I prevent my family and I from getting MRSA?A: The old saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" really applies when it comes to bacterial infections. If you are wounded somehow, clean the wound with hot, soapy water and cover it immediately with a clean bandage. This will prevent any bacteria from entering the wound. Wash your clothes before you wear them again. Clothing is a big, but often overlooked carrier of bacteria. Regular hand-washing and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers have also proven to be highly effective against MRSA. Proper hygiene is really your best defense against MRSA, and can significantly reduce your chances of infection. Q: Are there ways to curb the spread of MRSA?A: Acquiring MRSA from a community setting is relatively new. It's typically been more common in hospitals. At Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, there will be screening for MRSA in patients admitted from nursing homes. This will help to isolate the patient away from other, susceptible patients and decrease the spread of MRSA within the hospital. For more information, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's MRSA Fact guide. This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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