Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Rachel Moore, Austin Courtney, Tommy Murphy, Johnny Glesenkamp, Tyler Danner

Type of Disease MRSA is a type of bacterium that could be very deadly.

Description Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a staph bacteria that resists many types of antibiotics commonly used for staph infections. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/video/truth-about-mrsa

History Methicillin was one of most common types of antibiotics used to treat Staphylococcus Aureus infections. In 1961, British scientists identified the first strains of Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria that resisted methicillin. This was the so-called birth of MRSA. The first reported human case of MRSA in the United States came in 1968. Subsequently, new strains of bacteria have developed that can now resist previously effective drugs, such as methicillin and most related antibiotics.

Symptoms Staph skin infections, including MRSA, generally start as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. These can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. Sometimes the bacteria remain confined to the skin. But they can also burrow deep into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs.

Transmission MRSA is transmitted most frequently by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's infection; like towels, used bandages, or unwashed sheets. MRSA skin infections can occur anywhere.

Where it originated MRSA originated in Western Europe and Australia.

Cures and Treatments Both health care-associated and community-associated strains of MRSA still respond to certain antibiotics. In some cases, antibiotics may not be necessary. For example, doctors may drain a superficial abscess caused by MRSA rather than treat the infection with drugs.

Works Cited "Centers for Disease Control." Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Sep 2013. Web. 31 Mar 2015. ."Symptoms of MRSA Infection." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, n.d. Web. 2 Apr 2015. "MRSA Infection Treatment." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 13 Nov 2012. Web. 2 Apr 2015. Rutledge, John. MRSA Infection Map. 2008. Graphic. Rutledge CapitalWeb. 2 Apr 2015. <http://rutledgecapital.com/testoffice/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/pain-in-the-butt-results-map.jpg>. Truth About MRSA. WebMD, Web. 6 Apr 2015. <http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/video/truth-about-mrsa>.