Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMRSA and StaphWhat Is MRSA?When to See a DoctorNext StepsPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
MRSA and Staph
What Is MRSA?
When to See a Doctor
Next Steps
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Staphylococcus aureus(staph) is one of the most common bacterial organisms that reside on theskin. Usually, it does not cause problems, but it can lead to several types of infections when it gets under the skin, in the blood, or to other body organs.
Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is the same bacteria, but a strain that is resistant to certain commonly usedantibiotics(drugs that prevent the growth of or kill bacteria).
This article discusses the differences between MRSA and the typical staph infection, known as methicillin-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureus(MSSA), as well as how to treat and prevent them.
MRSA is a type of staph, so people can develop the same types of infections with either organism.
The difference between the two is that MRSA is more difficult to treat since it is resistant to certain antibiotics. Because the only difference is the antibiotic sensitivity, a typical staph infection is referred to as methicillin-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureus.
Staph Skin Infections and MRSA
MRSA is a strain ofStaphylococcus aureusthat is resistant to certain antibiotics, specifically methicillin, which is similar topenicillin.
Symptoms
The symptoms associated with MRSA infections are the same as those of an MSSA infection and depend on the part of the body that is infected.
Skin infections cause:
Deeper skin infections can formabscessesthat drain pus. Severe skin infections can also be associated withfever.
Some skin infections spread to other organs in the body, such as thelungs,heart, and bones, and causes the following:
Like MSSA, MRSA can also lead to bacterial blood poisoning, calledsepsis.Patients with sepsis have fever, lethargy, a fast heart rate, and low blood pressure.
AppearanceThere is no way to tell the difference between MSSA and MRSA based on how the infection looks on the skin or other appearance-related symptoms.
Appearance
There is no way to tell the difference between MSSA and MRSA based on how the infection looks on the skin or other appearance-related symptoms.
Causes
Antibiotic-resistant organisms were previously only common inhealthcare settingssuch as hospitals and nursing homes. However, MRSA has spread outside healthcare settings and is widely prevalent in the general community.
Treatment
Since MRSA is resistant to some commonly used antibiotics, healthcare providers must use other treatments to cure the infection.
Simple skin infections are treated with topical antibiotics such as clindamycin and mupirocin or oralclindamycin,trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline, orlinezolid. Complex or severe infections require intravenous (IV) therapy with vancomycin ordaptomycin.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends that healthcare providers use typical antibiotic therapy to treat skin infections, even though MRSA is common outside of the hospital setting.Antibiotics that treat MRSA should be considered if the infection does not respond to initial therapy.
How to Know If You Have MRSAIf you have a staph skin infection that is not getting better while taking antibiotics, you might have MRSA.
How to Know If You Have MRSA
If you have a staph skin infection that is not getting better while taking antibiotics, you might have MRSA.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
There is no way to know whether a person has MRSA or MSSA based on the look of the infection or symptoms. If you suspect a staph infection, a healthcare provider should evaluate it and determine whether treatment is necessary.
What to Do If You Do Have MRSA
Like MSSA, MRSA is contagious. Staph can also be ingested and lead to gastrointestinal illnesses associated with vomiting anddiarrhea.
To prevent the spread to other people, you should cover your infection and avoid handling or preparing food for other people.
Is MRSA Contagious?
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Everyone is at risk for MRSA infections, and there is no way to tell the difference between a resistant organism and a sensitive organism. However, MRSA is treatable with several different antibiotics. If you suspect a skin infection or something deeper, speak with your healthcare provider about what to do next.
MRSA looks the same as any other staph infection. Skin infections present with redness, swelling, warmth, and pain. Sometimes there is a yellow crust around pimples. MRSA abscesses will be significantly swollen and soft in the middle with pus inside.
Healing time depends on the type of MRSA infection. A skin infection will improve one to two days after starting antibiotic therapy, and the typical duration of treatment is seven days. However, a deeper heart or blood condition requires several weeks of treatment.
Staph bacteria can survive on linens for days to weeks. One study showed that staph could survive on dry surfaces like doorknobs for months.
MRSA is contagious as long as the bacterium is still causing an infection. Therefore, a person is potentially contagious until the wound heals. It’s essential to keep wounds covered to avoid spreading bacteria to other people.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.MRSA: general information.
MedlinePlus.Staphylococcal infections.
Hassoun A, Linden PK, Friedman B.Incidence, prevalence, and management of MRSA bacteremia across patient populations—a review of recent developments in MRSA management and treatment.Crit Care. 2017;21(1):211. doi:10.1186/s13054-017-1801-3
Kramer A, Schwebke I, Kampf G.How long do nosocomial pathogens persist on inanimate surfaces? A systematic review.BMC Infect Dis. 2006;6:130. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-6-130
Tong SY, Davis JS, Eichenberger E, Holland TL, Fowler VG Jr.Staphylococcus aureus infections: epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management.Clin Microbiol Rev. 2015;28(3):603-61. doi:10.1128/CMR.00134-14
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