Symptoms of MRSA infections

This sort of Staphylococcus produces almost the same symptoms as any other type of the Staphylococcus bacterium.

The most common symptoms are:
 

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

Serious symptoms may include:
 

• urinary tract infections
• pneumonia
• toxic shock syndrome
• death

How long do these infections last?

The problem with these infections is that sometimes, if the person is completely healthy, it can carry the bacterium in their nose or on their skin for weeks or even years. Most of them think that they need no treatment but the fact is that, unless completely cleared the bacteria can return, especially if the individual is under some kind of antibiotic therapy.

Diagnosis of Staphylococcus Aureus infections

The definitive diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus infection is made by taking the culture from the area of suspected infection. The specimen is placed on a culture plate and incubated in special thermostats. Then the bacterium is being identified by the microbiologist.
 
The final step for the laboratory is the resistance testing, which should determine if the bacteria are resistant or sensitive to certain antibiotics. If the bacteria that were cultured in the place of infection can't be killed with standard antibiotics then the infection is called MRSA.

Infections with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus can cause a number of different clinical forms such as:
 

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