Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) By: Cody Maris, Desiree Bryant, Nick King Period 1

Definition: Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams. These antibiotics such as oxacillin,penicillin, and amoxicillin. In the community, most MRSA infections are skin infections (“Centers for Disease Control”)

History Staph, a form of MRSA but more easily treated and less dangerous was first discovered in the 1880’s so by the 1940’s scientists had developed drugs to treat staph. In proper over use aided the bacteria in its evolution and it became un affected by certain drugs. This strain of staph is MRSA.

Photo from CDC

Symptoms · Cough · Chest pain · Tiredness · Fever and chills ·         Feel sick ·         Headache ·         Rash ·         Wounds that won’t heal

Who is at risk? Any body is at risk, especially Athletes in contact sports, children in day care, military personnel, or people who have just gotten a tattoo. The more serias cases often occur when a person has a week amune system such as people under long term care of the hospital, is on kidney dialysis, shoots up drugs, or has recently had a surgery.

How MRSA is spread Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus is spread through skin on skin contact. But the bacteria can be taken from the skin to another victom. The common ones are towels, razors, needles,clothes, along with countless others.

treatment In many cases the infection may just need drained and time to heal but antibiotics may have to be prescribed to the patient. Centers for Disease Control recommends you DO NOT try to drain it your self, such as lancing, popping, or aplying disinfectants. This could worsen the condition and spread it to others.

Prevention Keep proper hygiene such as washing your hands and showering with antibacterial soap. Do not share items, as I mentioned before in slide five, that can possibly come in contact with someone else's infection. Keep your cuts sanitized and clean and avoid contacting other people’s.

Stop the spread If you do get MRSA you should make sure to keep your hands clean so there is no possibility of touching the infection then some one ells. You should also keep the wound covered so that it does not come in contact with anyone or anything. It is always good practice to not share personal items but is asspecially important when you are already infected. And finaly talk to your doctor and they can give you what you need to get rid of it and stop the spread.

Photo from cdc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x21tGxY3gSw&safe=active

Works Cited . “Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infections.” Centers for Disease Control. USA.Gov, 15 Apr 2011. Web. 25 Feb 2013. . "Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)." NIH. USA.gov, 4 Mar 2008. Web. 26 Feb 2013. . "Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)." NIH. USA.gov, 4 Mar 2008. Web. 26 Feb 2013. . “MRSA.” PubMed Health.N.p., 09Apr 2012 Web. 25 Feb 2013. . “Personal Prevention of MRSA Skin Infections.” Centers for Disease Control. USA.gov, 8 Aug 2010. Web. 25 Feb 2013