MRSA infection
Venous leg ulcer MRSA is a type of staphylococcal bacteria that has developed resistance to a number of widely used antibiotics.
Staphylococcal ("staph") bacteria are relatively common.About 1 in 3 people carry staph bacteria harmlessly on their skin, usually inside their nose and on the surface of their armpits, groinand buttocks. This is known asbeing "colonised" by staph bacteria.
Up to 1 in every 30 people are colonised byMRSA bacteria. Like other types of staph bacteria, it's usually harmless and not a cause for concern for most healthy people. However, it can cause problems if it's able to enter the body or itinfects someone in poor health.
MRSA bacteria are usually spread through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has an MRSA infection orhas the bacteria living on their skin.
The bacteria can also spread through contact with towels, sheets, clothes, dressings or other objects that have been used by a person infected orcolonised withMRSA.
MRSA can survive for long periods on objects or surfaces, such as door handles, sinks, floors and cleaning equipment.
You're most at risk of developing an MRSA infection when you're in hospital. This is known ashealthcare-associated MRSA infection.
This is because people in hospital:
You may be at anincreased risk of developing an MRSA infection in hospital if you have:
Patients treatedin intensive care units (ICUs) and surgical wards are at a particularly high risk of developing an infection.
Although it's much less common, it's also possible to develop an MRSA infection outside of hospital. This is known ascommunity-associated MRSA infection.
It'sgenerally less serious than healthcare-associated MRSA, and in most cases just affects the skin or soft tissues.
The following factors increase your risk of getting an MRSAinfection outside of hospital:
Your GP can carry out a swab to test for MRSA if they suspect it's the cause of your infection.
MRSA is a type of bacteria that is resistant to a number of widely used antibiotics. This means MRSA infections can be more difficult to treat than other bacterial infections.
The symptoms of an MRSA infection will depend on what part of the body is infected.
MRSA is a type of staphylococcal bacteria that has developed resistance to a number of widely used antibiotics.
If you have an MRSA infection, you may need treatment with particular antibiotics. If MRSA screening shows that you just carry MRSA on your skin, you'll need decolonisation treatment to remove the bacteria.
Hospital staff, patients and hospital visitors can take simple hygiene measures to prevent the spread of MRSA and stop infection.
MRSA screening is usually carried out on people who need to be admitted to hospital for planned or emergency care. In particular, it's recommended for certain groups at the highest risk of becoming infected with MRSA while they're in hospital.