MRSA (Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus)
goodtoknow says: MRSA, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, is a bacterial infection that is very resistant to most, but not all, antibiotics. It's becoming more common in hospitals. But although newspapers are full of scare stories about this 'superbug' your chances of getting MRSA in hospital are still very slim. Hospitals are trying to control the spread of MRSA by improving their standards of hygiene. To protect yourself against MRSA always wear slippers and use antibacterial handwashes.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of MRSA from patient.co.uk, read on.
Infection with MRSA bacteria mainly occurs in people who are already ill in hospital. It can be difficult to treat as MRSA bacteria are resistant to most types of antibiotics.
- Next: Read more about MRSA
More help and advice
- Read in-depth info about superbug C. difficile
- Tips on avoiding MRSA
- Protect yourself against C. diff
- An expert explains the sources of MRSA
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Christine Rowe, over 2 years
My husband, Jono is a charge nurse and has a chest infection and is MRSA pos in his sputum. He's been sent home from work and we are wondering, apart from stepping up hygeine, etc, what precautions we should take with the festive season and a new baby neice or nepphew on the way iminently. Also it's the second time this has happened to him - but it wasn't Christmas last time. Why does this keep happening and what can we do to help him?
Report this commentrona, over 2 years
i had mrsa in 2005 after 2 mayor surgrys and was trated successfully with the i v vandomycin i hav ben in hospital again for more surgry on the 1st of oct a bladdr repair and subsquently my wound ha not healed as yet sometimes looks bettr and other times worse but it is being trated at hom with the district nurses i have had 4 coures of antibiotics which hav not worked and my swab came back positive for the staph aureous i hav had another swab taken and will hopefully gt the results this wek but i am so worried that because of my wound not healing and bleeding fom time to time and the lenght of time i hav felt ill and lthargic i cannot gt it out of my head firstly i wud like to know if i hav th staph aureous bug is that a colonised infection and not neccssary mrsa fully and is it possable for this swab that i am patiently maiting for to b ok or not as alll the other sid affects i hav ie not healing red swollen sore and blding and am vry very tired am i fearing the worst . this has got to b the longest time of my lif pleas can u help by explainging to me what wud happen as i am not responding to the antibiotics many thanks for taking the time to read this ....... rona traynor glasgow
Report this commentjohan allen, over 2 years
My aunt has been recently diagnose with (mrsa), this occurred after she had limbs removed (toes). Could this affect the rest of the family as we have been in close contact with her during her care at home. Kind regards
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simon millingbton, over 2 years
I was told I had contracted MRSA while being treated in hospital after a serious accident 2 years ago I am now waiting for a knee replacement which may not happen due to an inlying infection in my shin and thigh bone not sure what will happen next
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