Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain of staph bacteria. However, even though most types of bacteria are able to be treated by antibiotics, this type of bacteria does is resistant. Just because staph bacteria is present in someone's body does not mean that they have MRSA. In fact, about one out of every four people are said to be colonized by staph, meaning that the bacteria is present on their skin. What may cause the person to become ill infected when the bacteria enters into the body. This could be from sores and cuts, or through hospital equipment such as breathing tubes and catheters. Some types of staff infections are very minor and may appear as a pimple. However, in some victims, their heart, blood, or other organs may become infected.
The difference between a serious case of staph infection or a minor case can depend on the person's immune system. For example, those who are in the hospital already are suffering from a weakened immune system and they may be more liable to contact this infection. In most cases, the antibiotics, beta-lactams, are able to treat staph infections. However, two out of every one hundred people carry a strain of staph which is immune to antibiotics and not treatable or curable. This dangerous strain is the MRSA. MRSA cases most often appear in nursing homes, care facilities, and hospitals. Both the staff and patients are at risk, however, those who are being treated for cancer or have undergone surgery are more likely to contract it.
How do you know if you are suffering from a staph infection? First, a red area will swell up on the skin. This will be painful and there may be drainage and pus coming from the affected area. This can be treated at the doctor's office by draining the area and keeping it covered. MRSA that is acquired at a hospital is much more serious. As this infection can affect an organ or an area where there recently was surgery, those in hospitals are more at risk. If you have recently been in the hospital and are now experiencing chest pain, chills, a cough, rash, or shortness of breath, you should contact a doctor to ensure that this is not what you are suffering from.
If the doctor decides to test you for MRSA, they may do a blood culture or culture from the infected site. Antibiotics will most likely be prescribed and you should take them until the dose is completed, even if the symptoms go away before then. However, if the antibiotics fail to work, you may have to be admitted to the hospital and put on oxygen and given medication and fluids intravenously. If the victim already suffered from poor health, their chances of recovering are more slim. When the infection is found in the blood, there are a higher number of deaths. MRSA can often be closely associated with medical malpractice as medical professionals may fail to practice safe hygiene in the hospital or failed to diagnose the condition. If this was your case, please do not hesitate to contact a malpractice lawyer to see how they could help you.
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