Is MRSA Infection A Contagious Disease?
bacteria that is resistant to very many antibiotics, difficult to treat
Detailed Answer:
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MRSA stands for methicillin resistant stap aureus. This refers to a type of bacteria that it resistant (does not respond to) a lot of antibiotics
The most commonly used antibiotics do not work for this type of bacteria.
Overuse and improper use of antibiotics is the main reason for MRSA. Antibiotics are often prescribed for the common cold/ flu or for sore throat, these are viral infections and do not require antibiotics. As a person continues to use the antibiotics, their resistance to antibiotics develops.
Some persons are MRSA carriers, meaning that the bacteria is living on their skin or in their nose but they do not have any signs or symptoms of infection presently.
It is important to note that stap aureus bacteria normally lives on the skin and causes no problems but these persons have a different type of stap, theirs is MRSA (resistant to antibiotics).
MRSA is contagious, it can be transmitted by simple contact with a person who has this bacteria or coming into contact with some of their personal items.
As mentioned , there are some persons who are carriers (have the bacteria with no symptoms) but there are some persons who may have active infections such as an abscess or infected sore
Treatment: it is difficult to treat since it is resistant to many antibiotic but there are a few antibiotics that may work so if a person is diagnosed with this infection, they can be given a course of antibiotics
If an abscess or collection of pus is present, this would need to be drained
if a person is a carrier then attempts may be made to decrease the number of the bacteria living on the skin or nose.
This may be done by the use of antibacterial or antiseptic soaps, antibiotic creams or oral antibiotics or a combination of these.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions