Monthly Health Topic From the Stamford Health Department 
| Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections (CA-MRSA) CA-MRSA is a bacterium that, unlike other Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, cannot be killed by the antibiotic, methicillin. However, it can be killed by several other different antibiotics. It arose from people in the community, rather than patients from the hospital. CA-MRSA is not new. It was first described in1998 as a cause of skin and soft tissue infections in a few Chicago children. In recent years, these bacteria and the infections they cause have been shown to be genetically distinct from all previous Staphylococcus aureus bacterium, and have significantly increased the total number of skin and soft tissue infection cases in previously healthy child and adult community dwellers. They also have caused epidemics in sports teams members, day care center attendees, and military recruits. Common signs of a skin infection caused by CA-MRSA include redness, warmth, swelling and tenderness. Often a CA-MRSA infection will look like a spider bite, boil, abscess or pimple. If left untreated, it could progress into a more serious illness. CA-MRSA skin infections are not spread through the air. People are more likely to get a MRSA infection through skin-to-skin contact, direct contact with infected wound drainage or contact with contaminated surfaces or things such as sports equipment. Healthy children and adults make up the overwhelming majority of patients with CA-MRSA infections, but children are more likely to be victims than adults. Most CA-MRSA can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Many skin infections may also be treated without antibiotics by draining the sore. However, if antibiotics are prescribed, patients should complete the full course and call their doctors if the infection does not get better. There are ways to protect individuals from this infection: · Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water and/or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer· Shower after strenuous physical activities· Never share personal items such as towels, soap and clothing· Cover any open sore on the skin with bandages· Avoid skin contact; do not touch other people’s cuts or bandages· DO NOT using whirlpools, swimming pools and other common tubs if there is an open wound· Wash in hot water all clothes and towels that might be carrying MRSAFurther information is available on Overview of Community-Associated MRSA on the CDC's Web site. |