Puzzling germs: Q&A


Q: What is MRSA?

A: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, usually called MRSA, are strains of staph bacteria that have become resistant to certain antibiotics.

Q: What is community-associated MRSA?

A: These are infections in people who haven't been recently hospitalized or undergone a medical procedure. Unlike health-care-associated MRSA, the majority of community MRSA infections are not serious. They usually involve treatable skin infections. In rare cases, these infections can become deadly.

Q: How is it spread?

A: Skin-to-skin contact is the main way MRSA is spread. In the community, sharing towels, razors, clothing and other intimate items also is a culprit. Outbreaks of community-associated MRSA have occurred in military training camps, prisons and in other places with crowded living conditions. In MRSA outbreaks investigated by the CDC, environmental surfaces have not played a significant role in the transmission.

Q: How is it treated?

A: In most cases, treatment for community MRSA involves a doctor draining the boil or prescribing antibiotics. For people who have recurring boils, doctors may try to "decolonize" them with medicated body washes and ointments swabbed inside the nose.

Q: How are infections prevented?

A: With good hygiene. Wash hands regularly. Keep cuts and scrapes covered until healed --- and avoid contact with other people's wounds and bandages. Don't share personal items that contact the skin, such as towels, razors or uniforms.

Sources: CDC, AJC research
> ON THE WEB: For information about MRSA: health.state.ga.us/mrsa or www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca.html


Copyright 2008 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Disclaimer: References or links to other sites from Wellness.com does not constitute recommendation or endorsement by Wellness.com. We bear no responsibility for the content of websites other than Wellness.com.
Community Comments
Be the first to comment.