MRSA - Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Fact sheet

Target population and risks

Transmission

• Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections
• Healthcare-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections

Symptoms of Staphylococcal infection

• red and inflamed skin around wounds
• fever
• lethargy
• headaches
• redness, swelling and tenderness at the site of infection

• Urinary tract infections
• pneumonia
• toxic shock syndrome
• Death

How long do these infections last?

Diagnosis of Staphylococcus Aureus infections

Clinical presentations of this condition

• Cellulitis – superficial inflammation of the skin
• Impetigo – superficial lesions or abraded skin with honey-colored crust and small blisters on them
• Folliculitis – Infection of hair follicle
• Furunculous – Deep infections below hairline. Target spots are hair follicles and substructures
• Abscess – Pus-filled mass that in most cases is located below all superficial skin structures
• Infected laceration – Infected cut, that was there before the infection

Treatment

• incision, drainage, and localized care are the first line of treatment
• management of skin lesions and selective use of antibiotics should be continued even if the MRSA is found in the lesions
• Initial treatment should start with medications that are used normally against Staphylococcus Aureus such as cephalexin or dicloxacillin. If the bacterium is showed resistant of classical therapy- then, the culture and resistance test should be done in order to find an effective medication
• In patients with recurrent and serious MRSA infection, or in families with many affected members, some experts would consider attempting eradication of MRSA colonization. In these cases- Bactroban or Rifampin, in conjunction with another antibiotic effective against MRSA- may be helpful
• good hygiene practices with patients which includes hand washing, washing of contaminated items with warm water and soap, and proper disposal of contaminated bandages and wound coverings

• urinary catheters should be changed only when necessary
• closed drainage system should be maintain
• Drainage bags should be kept off the floor. Use a separate container for collection of urine from each patient. Container after each use should be disinfected.
• Wash and toughly dry the patient’s perineal area a minimum of once per day or anytime it becomes soiled.
• Secure the catheter to the patient to avoid tension on the urinary catheter.
• Hands should be washed after manipulating the catheter or collecting urine

Isolation of the patients

Prevention of MRSA infection

• Gloving – Gloves should be on hands all the time, especiallywhen touching blood, body fluids and contaminated items.
• Hand washing – Hands should be washed immediately after gloves are removed, between contacts with patients and other common daily tasks and procedures.
• Masking – Masks should be wore during all procedures that are likely to produce splashes or droplets of blood and body fluids.
• Patient care – several hygiene measures such as appropriate cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of patient care equipment are very important as some of the best limiting factors for the transmission.
• Antibiotics usage – Usage of antibiotics that aren’t necessary should be avoided!

• Keep infections covered with clean, dry bandages.
• you must fallows your doctor’s instructions for collecting the pus from the wound because it can also contain the bacteria
• Wash hands after touching infected skin and bandages
• Dressings and bandages should be placed always in separate trash bag, which should be closes before throwing it out with the regular garbage.
• Do not share any personal items including towels, washcloth, razor, clothing, or uniforms
• Drying clothes in a hot dryer is recommended rather than air-drying because it is more deadly for the bacteria
• All contact sports or other skin-to-skin contacts including sexual contact should be avoided until the infection has treated and healed.
• Avoid using unnecessary antibiotics.