How is MRSA usually treated?

At home — Treatment of MRSA at home usually includes a 7- to 10-day course of an antibiotic (by mouth) such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (brand name: Bactrim), clindamycin, minocycline, linezolid, or doxycycline.

What is MRSA and can it be cured?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a skin infection caused by a type of staph bacteria. It’s part of a class of “superbugs” and can’t be treated with the usual antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin.

What is MRSA and why is it difficult to treat?

MRSA is different from other types of staph because it cannot be treated with certain antibiotics such as methicillin. MRSA infections are more difficult to treat than ordinary staph infections. This is because the strains of staph known as MRSA do not respond well to many common antibiotics used to kill bacteria.

How do you treat and prevent MRSA?

Preventing CA-MRSA

1. Wash your hands. Careful hand washing remains your best defense against germs.
2. Keep wounds covered. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with clean, dry bandages until they heal.
3. Keep personal items personal.
4. Shower after athletic games or practices.
5. Sanitize linens.

What is MRSA and how do you get it?

MRSA is spread by touching an infected person or exposed item when you have an open cut or scrape. It can also be spread by a cough or a sneeze. Poor hygiene — sharing razors, towels, or athletic gear can also be to blame. Two in 100 people carry the bacteria on their bodies, but usually don’t get sick.

Is MRSA serious?

Most often, it causes mild infections on the skin, like sores, boils, or abscesses. But it can also cause more serious skin infections or infect surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs, or the urinary tract. Though most MRSA infections aren’t serious, some can be life-threatening.

How serious is MRSA infection?

MRSA skin infections usually aren’t serious and typically respond to treatment. But when MRSA gets inside your body, which is called invasive MRSA, it can cause a serious infection in your bloodstream or other organs. This is a life-threatening infection and more difficult to treat.

How does MRSA affect the body?

What is MRSA and why is it important?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a cause of staph infection that is difficult to treat because of resistance to some antibiotics. Staph infections—including those caused by MRSA—can spread in hospitals, other healthcare facilities, and in the community where you live, work, and go to school.