MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staph Aureus) InfectionPlease note that Fauquier ENT provides the following info as a service. We do NOT consider ourselves MRSA experts. The true MRSA experts are physicians who specialize in Infectious Diseases .There have been increasing numbers of a type of staph aureus infection that is resistant to most antibiotics known as MRSA that have been garnering attention in the news recently. Historically, MRSA has only been found in sick patients in the hospital, but in the past few years, there have been increasing numbers of MRSA infections in patients who have never been in the hospital for extended periods of time. Such MRSA infections outside the hospital setting is known as Community-Acquired MRSA or ca-MRSA.HOWEVER, MRSA is just another type of germ. Humans can become carriers where the germ exists on their body, but doesn't cause any problems. But, if a person has an active MRSA infection with open wounds or sores that are draining, the person is considered contagious in that it can jump from one person to another mainly by direct contact. As such, it is important to immediately see a physician for any open wounds or sores or other type of infection. The physician will obtain a culture in order to diagnose MRSA. If MRSA is diagnosed, there are only a few antibiotics that will work. Unfortunately, these antibiotics are not considered powerful in the traditional sense of the word. Indeed, antibiotics used to treat MRSA are not nearly as effective as more traditional antibiotics if used to treat non-MRSA infections.
