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Staph Infections - MRSA InfectionsBy the Center for Deases Control - February 3, 2005
What is Staph (Staphylococcus aureus)?Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph," are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 25% to 30% of the population is colonized (when bacteria are present, but not causing an infection) in the nose with staph bacteria. Sometimes, staph can cause an infection. Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. Most of these skin infections are minor (such as pimples and boils) and can be treated without antibiotics (also known as antimicrobials or antibacterials). However, staph bacteria also can cause serious infections (such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia). What is MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)?Some staph bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to antibiotics called beta-lactams. Beta-lactam antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. While 25% to 30% of the population is colonized with staph, approximately 1% is colonized with MRSA. Who gets staph or MRSA infections?Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems. These healthcare-associated staph infections include surgical wound infections, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia. What is community-associated MRSA?Staph and MRSA can also cause illness in persons outside of hospitals and healthcare facilities. MRSA infections that are acquired by persons who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are know as CA-MRSA infections. Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people. How common are staph infections and MRSA infections?Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infection in the United States and are a common cause of pneumonia, surgical wound infections, and bloodstream infections. The majority of MRSA infections occur among patients in hospitals or other healthcare settings; however, it is becoming more common in the community setting. Data from a prospective study in 2003, suggests that 12% of clinical MRSA infections are community-associated, but this varies by geographic region and population. What does a staph infection or MRSA infection symptoms look like?Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections. Are certain people at increased risk for community-associated staph infections or MRSA infections?CDC has investigated clusters of CA-MRSA skin infections among athletes, military recruits, children, Pacific Islanders, Alaskan Natives, Native Americans, men who have sex with men, and prisoners. Factors that have been associated with the spread of MRSA skin infections include: close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, and poor hygiene. How can I prevent staph infections or MRSA skin infections?Practice good hygiene:
Are people who are positive for the human immune deficiency virus (HIV) at increased risk for MRSA? Should they be taking special precautions?People with weakened immune systems, which include some patients with HIV infection, may be at risk for more severe illness if they get infected with MRSA. People with HIV should follow the same prevention measures as those without HIV to prevent staph infections, including practice good hygiene, cover wounds (e.g., cuts or abrasions) with clean dry bandages, avoid sharing personal items such as towels and razors, and contact their doctor if they think they have an infection. Can I get a staph infection or MRSA infection at my health club?In the outbreaks of MRSA, the environment has not played a significant role in the transmission of MRSA. MRSA is transmitted most frequently by direct skin-to-skin contact. You can protect yourself from infections by practicing good hygiene (e.g., keeping your hands clean by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub and showering after working out); covering any open skin area such as abrasions or cuts with a clean dry bandage; avoiding sharing personal items such as towels or razors; using a barrier (e.g., clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment; and wiping surfaces of equipment before and after use. What should I do if I think I have a staph infecton or MRSA infection?See your healthcare provider. Are staph infections and MRSA infections treatable?Yes. Most staph and MRSA infections are treatable with antibiotics. If you are given an antibiotic, take all of the doses, even if the infection is getting better, unless your doctor tells you to stop taking it. Do not share antibiotics with other people or save unfinished antibiotics to use at another time. However, many staph skin infections may be treated by draining the abscess or boil and may not require antibiotics. Drainage of skin boils or abscesses should only be done by a healthcare provider. If after visiting your healthcare provider the infection is not getting better after a few days, contact them again. If other people you know or live with get the same infection tell them to go to their healthcare provider. Is it possible that my staph infection or MRSA skin infection will come back after it is cured?Yes. It is possible to have a staph or MRSA skin infection come back (recur) after it is cured. To prevent this from happening, follow your healthcare provider’s directions while you have the infection, and follow the prevention steps after the infection is gone. If I have a staph infection, or MRSA skin infection, what can I do to prevent others from getting infected?You can prevent spreading staph or MRSA skin infections to others by following these steps:
What should I do if someone I know has a staph infection or MRSA infection?If you know someone that has a staph or MRSA infection you should follow the prevention steps. Infection Control Topics
Related Staph Infection Guidelines
Related CDC References
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Infections - Open ThreadShare your thoughts about cold, flu, sinus and staph infections. MRSA Watch - Weeky News DigestGet the lastest news about antibiotic-resistant infections MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). Contradicting Evidence: The Case For Echinacea
Elderberry extract safe and effective treatment for symptoms of influenza A and B virus infections.J. Int Med Res. 2004 Mar-Apr;32(2):132-40, Department of Virology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel. Elderberry has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat influenza, colds and sinusitis, and has been reported to have antiviral activity against influenza and herpes simplex. We investigated the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry syrup for treating influenza A and B infections. Sixty patients (aged 18-54 years) suffering from influenza-like symptoms for 48 h or less were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study during the influenza season of 1999-2000 in Norway. Patients received 15 ml of elderberry or placebo syrup four times a day for 5 days, and recorded their symptoms using a visual analogue scale. Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo. Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe and cost-effective treatment for influenza. These findings need to be confirmed in a larger study. Advertisement
Immune System
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Rated |
Nutritional Supplements | Herbs |
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| ••• |
Multiple vitamin-mineral (for elderly people) Vitamin E (for elderly people) |
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| •• |
Acidophilus Beta-carotene Fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids for critically ill and post surgery patients only) Glutamine (prevention of post-exercise infection in performance athletes) Selenium (for elderly people) Thymus extracts Vitamin A Vitamin C Zinc (for elderly people) |
Ashwa- ghanda Eleuthero |
| • |
Beta-glucan Cordyceps DHEA Lycopene Vitamin B12 Whey protein Zinc (for non-elderly people) |
Astragalus Cat's claw Fo-ti Green tea Ligustrum Maitake Noni |
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••• Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. •• Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit. • An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit. |
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Medical Review of Herbal Remedies
