Widespread mass media reports on recent deaths due to the so-called MRSA “superbug” have left many individuals concerned about the safety of their families. Certainly, MRSA is a serious problem, but it is not a new problem, and there is no need to panic or overreact. In the community, there are simple health precautions that can minimize the transmission of MRSA.

Some practical history and facts on MRSA.

The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus has been causing serious infections and deaths in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, like nursing homes, for generations. These infections are generally referred to as “Staph” infections. Following the introduction of the antibiotic penicillin in the 1940s, the number of deaths due to Staph and other related bacterial infections rapidly declined. But it soon became apparent that Staph were developing resistance to penicillin, and therefore were no longer sensitive to this drug. A related penicillin-like drug, methicillin, was introduced to overcome resistance. It did not take long before methicillin-resistant strains emerged, and now the vast majority of Staph have acquired resistance to methicillin. We refer to these strains as Methicillin-Resistant Staphyloccus aureus or simply, MRSA.

For decades, MRSA was confined to healthcare settings, where it caused a wide range of infections involving surgical wounds, catheters, and skin/soft-tissue. Unfortunately, it also causes invasive systemic infections resulting in pneumonia and other life-threatening illnesses. Such healthcare-related MRSA infections tend to be resistant to multiple drugs and are difficult to treat. In some cases, there are only one or two drugs (e.g. vancomycin) available to treat such infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that more than 94,000 cases of invasive MRSA infections occurred in the USA in 2005, with death resulting in almost 19,000 people.

Staph infections remain a major problem for hospitals and nursing homes, as MRSA spreads via direct contact, person-to-person or from contaminated surface-to-person. Hand washing, disinfectant cleaners, and good hygiene are keys to controlling Staph infections. This can be difficult as nearly 30% of the population harbor ordinary Staph in their noses, and transmission from the nose to a hand to a wound or open sore is common. Fortunately, most people do not carry MRSA in their nose.

Community-Associated MRSA (CA-MRSA).

Over the past decade, it was recognized that a different type of MRSA spreads in the community. Again, transmission occurs by skin-to-skin contact and contaminated surface-to-skin contact. Unlike their healthcare-associated cousins, CA-MRSA is typically resistant to only a single class of drugs, so there are many more treatment options available. These are the MRSA infections receiving current media attention. CA-MRSA accounts for a small proportion of all infections, but the numbers are still in the thousands. Typically, infections appear as skin or soft-tissue disease. It may result in raised red patches like a severe insect bite, pimples or pustules, with or without fever. Such infections are observed in prisoners, daycare settings, tattoo recipients, professional, college and high school athletes, and numerous other close-contact situations. In nearly all cases, infections occur in otherwise health individuals.

What should we do to prevent MRSA?

The most important aspect of infection control is recognition of how infections can spread. Think skin to skin and surface to skin.
Hand-washing, proper hygiene and use of disinfectant solutions on athletic gear, jerseys or other materials, as well as on surfaces that encounter contact with skin, will go a long way to preventing infection.
In schools and gyms, proper disinfecting of locker rooms is important, as Staph likes such environments, especially around showers and steam rooms. Avoid sharing towels, combs, headgear and other personal items that can spread infection.
Common sense is also in order. If an individual gets a cut or scrape, wash and cover the lesion with a clean bandage. If an individual presents with an unusual rash, bite mark, pimple or pustule, see a nurse or a physician. Body art resulting from poorly cleaned needles can result in MRSA infections. Rashes or pimples on exposed skin can be a problem, although acne is generally not a problem. Be smart, if you or a family member spikes a high fever, it is best to seek medical attention promptly.
Do not self-diagnose and self-treat; always seek qualified medical help.
Infection control also applies to the home- it is not just a problem for hospitals, the workplace, schools and other community facilities.