Question 1

what is a "mrsa-like" infection?

Accepted Answer

Resistant bug: Mrsa stands for "methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus".  Most infections causes by staph  are treatable with multiple types of antibiotics.However, MRSA is a strain of staph that is mutated somehow so that it does not respond to the usual antibiotics. There is still a way to treat it, though the choices are limited. Many types of bacteria, not only staph can become resistant.

Question 2

how is it that mrsa  issuch a dangerous infection?

Accepted Answer

Because: The bacteria is resistant to the majority of the antibiotics we have available to treat it. Also the tissue destruction caused by the toxins causes more damage.

Question 3

how does mrsa go from a local infection to a disseminated one?

Accepted Answer

MRSA: Disseminated MRSA infections are the infections caused by strains of staph aureus that are resistant to the antibiotic methicillin and are not restricted to the original site of infection but have spread to different parts of the body. Hospital-acquired disseminated MRSA infections have occurred frequently in individuals with reduced immunity. However, community-acquired infections are increasing.

Question 4

what should you do if you have had mrsa before and you have an infection that looks the same?

Accepted Answer

Treat it again: Recurrence of MRSA skin infections is common.  Use of nasal Mupirocin and bathing using Hexachlorophene containing soaps may help to reduce or eliminate the carrier state which predisposes to recurrence.  The important thing is to treat the current outbreak with an appropriate antibiotic.  There are several oral choices which your doctor can recommend.

Question 5

what should you do right away if you have had mrsa before and you have an infection that looks similar?

Accepted Answer

See a doctor.: Mrsa is nothing to trifle with; it can be very serious, even fatal, and it's contagious as well. Anytime you suspect MRSA you need to see a doctor asap.

Question 6

what is mrsa infection?

Accepted Answer

Mrsa: It is an infection caused by staphilococcus aureus ( bacteria) that is resistant to the anbiotic methicillin and the betalactam/ cephalosprin class of anbiotics, but it may be sensitive to bactrim, (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) vancomycin, clindamycin, doxycyclin, Linezolid etc...

Question 7

still curious if mrsa and cellulitis are the same infection?

Accepted Answer

No they are not.: Cellulitis is a potentially serious infection of the skin that can be caused by several different bacteria, including staph aureus.  Mrsa is a type of staph aureus that is resistant to many antibiotics, and is harder to treat because of this.  But MRSA can also cause other types of infection in addition to cellulitis.

Question 8

what is being done about mrsa infections associated with influenza?

Accepted Answer

Many things: #1 is prevention of influenza with vaccination, proper hand hygiene & cough etiquette.Early diagnosis of flu & treatment within the first 48 hours of symptoms may help.Knowing if you are colonized with mrsa/mssa & attempting de-colonization may help.Early recognition & appropriate antibiotics for mrsa/mssa following flu is crucial. In the future: an anti-toxin against mrsa/mssa pvl-toxin may help?

Question 9

mrse (not mrsa): is it an infection that requires contact isolation?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes, it does. It's dangerous infection.

Question 10

how likely is it that my family will get mrsa from cats active infection? how soon would it show?

Accepted Answer

MRSA: Answered this yesterday.  Your family may never become infected, but may be colonized with this strain of staph aureus.  If they stay away from touching the cat, particularly if they have open wounds on their skin it is unlikely that they will become infected. If they do, it should be symptomatic within 24-48 hrs.

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Doctor answers about:

Medical mrsa infections

A member asked:

What is a "mrsa-like" infection?

A member asked:

How is it that mrsa issuch a dangerous infection?

A member asked:

How does mrsa go from a local infection to a disseminated one?

A member asked:

What should you do if you have had mrsa before and you have an infection that looks the same?

A member asked:

What should you do right away if you have had mrsa before and you have an infection that looks similar?

A member asked:

What is mrsa infection?

A member asked:

Still curious if mrsa and cellulitis are the same infection?

A member asked:

What is being done about mrsa infections associated with influenza?

A member asked:

Mrse (not mrsa): is it an infection that requires contact isolation?

A member asked:

How likely is it that my family will get mrsa from cats active infection? how soon would it show?

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