In the office, as well as in ER’s around the country…this is becoming a familiar site. It’s not a Spider Bite which is what people commonly think. If you call me and tell me you have a Spider Bite, I’ll bet my stethoscope you have what is known as a MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus) Infection. Some know it as the Superbug. What all this means is that this infection is resistant to several antibiotics. At it’s worse…it will kill.
So…what is Staph/MRSA?
It’s a bacteria and can cause skin infections that looks like pimple or boils. People often confuse them with spider bites. These sores can be red, swollen, painful and may have pus or other drainage. Staph infections that are resistant to antibiotics are called MRSA.
Who gets MRSA?
Anyone can get a Staph infections. However, you are more likely to get an infection if you have:
- Skin to Skin contact with someone who has a staph infection
- Contact with items and surfaces that have Staph on them (yes, it can live on surfaces for a while)
- Openings in your skin such as cuts or scrapes
- Crowded living conditions
- Poor hygiene.
Is MRSA serious?
It can be. While these infections often start off small, they can grow and enter your bloodstream, your lungs or surgical sites. If you are concerned about a sore on your body, you should see your health care provider.
How is MRSA treated?
Most likely it will include taking an antibiotic that has shown to be effective, as well as having the abscess lanced (or drained). If you are given antibiotics, it is essential you take all doses – even if you feel you are cured. Don’t save antibiotics or share with others (this is a major contributing factor to MRSA).
How do I keep MRSA from spreading and protect myself?
- Wash your hands often or use an alcohol based sanitizer
- Keep your cuts and scrapes clean and cover them with bandages
- Do not touch other people’s cuts or bandages
- Do not share personal items like towels or razors.
Remember, if you have a sore that seems to be getting worse and is not healing…see your health care provider. Especially if it seems to be a spider bite.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
One of my collegues, is off on medical leave right now because of a small leison, less than 1 inch in diameter that is MSRA positive. This means that she going to have to use her paid time off and maybe start using her short term disability until all orifaces are clear of the superbug. It is a seious problem. Jan
My sister had a small infection on her arm which she had tested for MRSA. Before the test results even came back, the infection had spread through her arm and eventually throughout her body within a few days. She is now in the hospital and is having surgery to remove the infected parts of tissue in her body. Her daughter will most likely need to be tested as well as a few other members of the family. This is very serious. Just touching a person with MRSA is highly contagious. Be careful and always bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer anywhere you go to be on the safe side. Always remember to WASH YOUR HANDS also!
Josh,
I wish your sister a full recovery! I cannot agree with your futher…WASH those hands!
Barbara
I was tested and told I had MRSA 4 yrs ago. At that time Dr. didn’t know much… They gave me a steroid cream and told me to go on with life including swim lessons in the public pool with my daughter!!! I know that little kids have suffered because of me… how aggrivating.
2010, Feb 05
Just visited the doctor for what I thought was chickenpox and the doctor told me no its probably an MRSA infection. My father is a cancer patient and had an infection my Dr. told me that it was probably contracted from him. I was told it was to be treated with Vankomyacin – Vanko for short which is an iv drug Doctors use to treat superbugs… anyways my symptoms started as what I thought was strep throat and an ear infection.. fever for a short period of time along with profuse sinus and nasal draniage with lung symptoms, cough and chest congestion. I was treated for strep throat and given an antibiotic which seemed to clear the infection up almost completely. About ten days later the sore throat came back along with the ear infection and white spots on my tonsils… I returned to the dr. and was told it might be viral such as herpes etc… I was given an antibiotic used for treating herpes zoster which is chicken pox or shingles… I called back for results of the throat culture and it came back negative about 5 days later- no virus. 3 days after I saw the doctor i started to get bumps on my hands and legs resembling small blisters filled with water the bumps quickly enlarged and now 6 days later I returned to my doctor because i thought i had an outbreak of chickenpox which I had before. SO, now my doctor tells me its a MRSA and I should be admitted to my local hospital via ER and I feel like I am getting sick.. sweating, sore throat and the bumps to boot.. Dont know what the verdict is yet going to the hospital now.. I will post back here when I find out more.