You may have heard frightening facts about MRSA—that it can kill shortly after severe symptoms develop, and that it kills more people in the U.S. than HIV/AIDS.  It infected 94,000 people (with 18,650 deaths) in 2005, according to the Centers for Disease Control.  Cases have doubled over the past few years, and health care professionals agree that it is an issue of growing concern.

MRSA is a staph infection that is resistant to the usual antibiotics. An MRSA infection can begin on the skin, and if it spreads throughout the body, it can lead to infection in joints, the bloodstream, lungs, and heart.  It may appear with flu-like symptoms, including muscle aches and a high fever. If you have a skin infection in conjunction with fever or muscle aches, seek medical treatment immediately.

As with many diseases, the very young and the elderly have higher MRSA risk rates. This is partly due to weaker immune systems, but among the elderly, hospital and nursing home stays can also play a role.  Black people and young men are infected at a rate higher than the general population.  Any hospital stay may increase risk, and those who have catheters or feeding tubes are especially vulnerable. Those who engage in contact sports are also at greater risk than average, as are those who live in crowded conditions like college dorms or military training camps. Finally, health care workers are also more susceptible than average to infection with MRSA. 

MRSA generally starts as a skin infection that resembles a boil, lesion, or pimple. If you suspect that your skin problem might be MRSA-related, make sure that your doctor tests you for it before prescribing an antibiotic. Since MRSA is resistant to ordinary staph treatment, the wrong treatment option could mean a fatal delay.  Any skin problem or open wound should be monitored carefully for signs of infection, including redness, swelling, or leaking of pus or fluids.

To avoid an MRSA infection, ensure that you wash your hands regularly, or use an alcohol-based hand disinfectant.  Make sure that medical professionals wash their hands before examining you. Keep your immune system strong with a healthy diet and exercise. Be sure to wash any wounds thoroughly, and see our tips for reducing MRSA risk for further information.