Diseases & Conditions

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Due to recent national media exposure staph infections, particulary MRSA, are a current health issue in South Georgia. Here are answers to commonly asked questions regarding MRSA.

What is MRSA?
MRSA is simply a staph bacteria that has gotten inside the body through a break in the skin and causes an infection. The infections are usually treated with an antibiotic. When common antibiotics don't kill the staph bacteria, it means the bacteria have become resitant to those antibiotics and this type of staph is called MRSA.

Is this something new?
MRSA was first identified in the 1960's and was mainly found in hospitals and nursing homes. This occured because antibiotics were being given to people when they weren't needed, and patients were not taking antibiotics as directed. In the late 1990's, a new type of MRSA was identified. This type of MRSA is becoming more common among children and adults who do not have medical problems.

What does MRSA look like?
MRSA is often mistaken for a spider bite due to the look and feel of the sore. MRSA is NOT caused by a spider bite or other insects. Note: If you did not see a spider bite you, do not assume it is just a spider bite.
The sore is usually a large, red, painful bump under the skin (a boil).

How do you get MRSA?
Anyone can get MRSA. MRSA is contagious and can be spread to other people through skin-to-skin contact. You can get MRSA to same way you can get a cold, touching someone or something with bacteria on it and then touching your eyes or nose. MRSA can live on surfaces and objects for months. However, it can be killed through proper cleaning methods. Other ways you can get MRSA are:

• Touching the infected skin of someone who has MRSA.
• Sharing personal items with someone who has MRSA, such as towels, wash cloths, razors, toothbrushes, clothes or athletic equipment.
• Touching objects, such as public phones or doorknobs, that have MRSA bacteria on the surface.
• Being in crowded places where germs are easily spread, such as hospitals, nursing homes, daycares, schools.

You are at greater risk of getting MRSA if you are recovering from surgery or burns, have tubes in your body for medical treatment, or if you share needles.

How can I prevent getting MRSA?

• Most importantly, wash your hands OFTEN and THOROUGHLY. You should wash your hands with soap and water as often as possible for 20-30 seconds. This is the easiest and most effective way of reducing your chances of getting a communicable disease.
• Take a bath or shower every day to help reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin.
• Change your sheets and towels regularly.
• Do not share personal items such as towels, wash cloths, razors, or toothbrushes.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the garbage can and wash your hands. If you do not have a tissue, cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• Change your clothes daily and wash them before wearing again.

Is MRSA reported to Public Health?
MRSA is only reportable to Public Health if the following criteria are met.
All three of these questions must be answered yes:

1. Culture was obtained within 48 hours of hospital admission.
2. No known history of MRSA.
3. No known hospitalization, dialysis, surgery, or residence in long-term care facility in the past year.

One of these two must be answered yes:

1. Did infection result in death?
2. Was patient hospitalized for severe illness?

At this time, no cases of MRSA in the South Health District area have been reported to Public Health.

Can my pet get MRSA?
Yes, pets such as dogs and cats, can also get MRSA. Pets with MRSA can be treated by a veterinarian. Do not touch your pet's infections and make sure to wear gloves when changing bandages. Consider keeping children separated from the pet until its sores have healed. You do not need to get rid of your pet.

For more information on staph infections or MRSA, visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa.html or the Georgia Division of Public Health's website at http://health.state.ga.us/mrsa/.

Living with MRSA.pdf (booklet)

mrsa_brochure.pdf

MRSA_FactSheet.pdf

Update: For information regarding MRSA in schools, please click on the following link. http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools/