MRSA
What is it?
- A strain of the common Staphylococcus aureus (SA) bacterium
- Resistant to many antibiotics making the infections it causes difficult to treat
How does it spread?
- SA bacteria lives on the skin of one in three people, and is often transferred onto other surfaces. About 1 in 100 carry MRSA, mainly elderly people who have been in hospital.
- MRSA is not normally a problem for the person carrying the bacterium, unless they have a cut, wound or broken skin. However, they are likely to spread it to more vulnerable people.
Who is at risk?
- MRSA usually poses little risk to healthy people.
- Types of germs are appearing that more easily infect healthy people. They produce a ‘PVL’ toxin which causes rapid tissue damage, however these remain rare
- The risk of infection increases when people have a cut, wound or other skin damage so in these instances people should take extra care.
- The elderly, very young or the unwell are most at risk as their immune systems are weakened
Symptoms
- Boils
- Sores or itchy blisters
- If it gets into the blood stream MRSA can cause blood poisoning and serious illness
Prevent the spread
- Hand washing is the single most important step in preventing the spread of MRSA especially after contact with an infected person/carrier.
- Do not share towels, facecloths, toothbrushes or other personal hygiene items with an infected or carrier person.
- Cover cuts and grazes with a dressing using antiseptic.
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Disinfect cloths used for cleaning by soaking in bleach after each use, particularly after use in the immediate area of the patient or the bathroom and toilet used by the patient.
- Clothing, sheets, pillows and linens from the infected patient (or carrier) should be kept separate from the rest of the family laundry and should be laundered at 60 ºC using a fabric detergent that contains bleach (e.g. Persil Biological tablets/powder).
