What is MRSA?
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a variant of the common bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Often called simply “staph,”common Staphylococcus aureus is found in the nose or on the skin of about 20 percent of healthy people. It responds to many antibiotics, and infections with these bacteria can be treated effectively. However, infections with the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus can be virulent and hard to treat because this strain of the bacteria is resistant to methicillin and other commonly prescribed antibiotics.
MRSA infections are most common in hospital patients who have undergone invasive medical treatments or whose immune systems are compromised. Another means of infection, known as “community acquired” MRSA infections, also can occur. Community-acquired infections are most common where open skin abrasions and/or close skin-to-skin contact are prevalent, or where hygiene items such as towels and razors are shared, including among athletes engaged in contact sports and people living in very close quarters, such as dormitories, military barracks or prisons. Good personal hygiene and proper surface disinfection are critical to reducing the risk of community-acquired MRSA infections.
How does MRSA affect people in hospitals or healthcare facilities?
In people who have weakened immune systems or are undergoing medical treatment, MRSA infections can be very serious and difficult to treat. Staph infections including MRSA are more common in hospitals or health care settings — such as nursing homes, care facilities and dialysis centers— than in the general population. Infections occur most often in people who have undergone invasive medical treatments, those who have weakened immune systems, and those who are in intensive care, surgical or burn units.
MRSA in the healthcare environment can cause serious and potentially life-threatening infections, such as bloodstream infections, surgical site infections or pneumonia.
MRSA infections of people in health care settings, or people who acquire the infection within a year of serious medical treatment, are among the most significant types of Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs).
Combating the spread of MRSA in health care settings requires rigorous protocols for cleaning and disinfecting facility surfaces and linens, and careful attention to frequent, thorough handwashing by all staff and visitors.
How can health care facilities combat MRSA and other HCAIs?
JohnsonDiversey offers several one-step cleaner disinfectants that are efficacious against MRSA. Detailed product recommendations are available here.
Careful cleaning of medical equipment, patient rooms and linens contributes substantially to the overall control of MRSA and other bacteria in health care settings. Hand hygiene also is critical. Everyone in a healthcare setting should practice frequent, thorough handwashing and may include the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Additional measures to prevent the spread of MRSA bacteria in health care facilities include:
- Clean any cuts or scrapes on your own skin and cover them with bandages
- Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including gloves, masks and gowns, as determined by the infection control staff of your facility.
- Use cleaners and disinfectants at the proper dilution specified on the product label.
- Apply cleaners and disinfectants to surfaces liberally. Follow the label directions for surface contact time. Allow surfaces to air dry, or remove excess liquid after the appropriate contact time.
- Take precautions when handling any patient-care equipment or linen that has been soiled by blood or bodily fluids. Prevent contact between the equipment and any person’s skin or mucous membranes. Prevent contamination of clothing or other materials.
How does MRSA affect healthy people?
In otherwise healthy people, most MRSA infections affect the skin. These are known as community-associated MRSA infections and may have several or all of the following characteristics:
- look like pimples, pustules or boils;
- are red, swollen and/or painful;
- are warm to the touch;
- contain pus or other drainage;
- appear where there has been a cut or abrasion to the skin;
- appear where the skin is covered by hair, such as the back of the neck, groin, buttocks, armpit or areas covered by facial hair;
- are accompanied by a fever.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost all MRSA skin infections can be treated effectively. Treatment may include the use of antibiotics and drainage of the infected site by a health care professional. Serious infections such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections and bone infections are very rare in healthy people who contract MRSA skin infections, according to the CDC.
Risk factors for community-associated MRSA infections include:
- living or working in crowded conditions such as dormitories, barracks and prisons;
- having frequent skin-to-skin contact with other people;
- having cuts or abrasions to the skin;
- using items that are contaminated or touching contaminated surfaces (such as inadequately cleaned gym equipment or shared razors);
- inadequate personal hygiene and inadequate cleaning and disinfection of facilities.
How can I protect myself from community-associated MRSA infections?
Good hygiene is your best protection against community-associated MRSA infections.
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Shower after any athletic activities or workouts.
- Cover any open skin such as cuts or abrasions with a clean, dry bandage.
- Do not share personal items such as razors or towels.
- At the gym, wipe down any shared equipment before and after you use it. Place a barrier such as clothing or a clean towel between your skin and any shared equipment you use.
If you contract an infection of any kind, follow your health care provider instructions carefully to prevent the spread of your illness.
- Keep wounds covered with clean, dry bandages when they are pus-filled or draining.
- Discard used bandages and tape in a wastebasket, then wash your hands thoroughly.
- Follow your health care provider’s instructions on wound care.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Make sure your family and those in close contact with you also wash their hands frequently and thoroughly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors or clothing that may have had contact with the infection site or the bandages.
- Wash your sheets, towels and any other fabrics with water and laundry detergent. Drying clothes in a hot dryer helps kills microorganisms in clothes. Air drying them does not (unless they are in direct sunlight).
- Tell any health care provider who treats you that you have or have had a staph or MRSA infection.