How to Identify Symptoms of MRSA

MRSA, short for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, is a particular strain of the staphylococcal (staph) group of bacteria that normally reside on the skin. It is often referred to as a superbug, since it is resistant to the antibiotics that kill most staph bacteria. Although it can live on your skin without any problem, if it invades your body via a scratch or cut, it can cause infections which can become serious. The problem is that these infections can usually look similar to many other infections, but without treatment they can become very dangerous. That is why it is essential to know how to identify MRSA symptoms, for yourself or your child, and this article will explain how to do this.

 Steps

    1
    Watch for MRSA's most-common symptoms. If the infection is actually in a wound, the most common symptoms are the wound area becoming swollen and red, and filling with pus. In this case there may not be boils or red spots.
    2
    Close the hair follicles. These can form particularly in the groin area, under the arm, or on the scalp. They may also appear as abscesses, which are larger pus-filled areas under the skin. If these are oozing pus, it may be a sign that the infection is becoming more serious.
    3
    Treat an infection, if noticed. If the infection is allowed to progress, it can cause painful eye styes -- these are small inflamed swellings at the edge of the eyelid, which can scratch or irritate the eyeball, and can make it difficult to wear contact lenses.
    4
    Look for signs of cellulitis. A sign that the MRSA has infected the soft tissues under the surface of the skin is the appearance of cellulitis, which is a widespread swollen rash. It's distinctive feature is that it is very warm to the touch.
    5
    Watch out that it doesn't spread to the lungs. If the infection is still unrecognized and left untreated, there is a risk that it can spread to the lungs. The indications that this is happening include coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing.
    6
    Watch for the illness spreading through the remainder of the body. If there is a development of high fever and body chills, possibly accompanied by urinary tract infection, it is a sign that the MRSA has spread to other organs of the body, including the kidneys and urinary tract. Fevers can also accompany the earlier signs of MRSA, but at that stage they usually respond to medication.
    7
    Watch out that it doesn't go as far deep, as that it doesn't begin eating the person's flesh. In very rare cases, the infection can result in necrotizing fasciitis, the flesh-eating disease, if allowed to progress too far without treatment.

 Tips

    If you think you have any of these symptoms, such as a boil or abscess, cover it with a bandage and call a doctor. Never attempt to drain it yourself, as you could spread the infection to other areas. Your doctor will drain it if necessary.
    It can take some days to get the results of a test for MRSA, so your doctor may treat you in the meantime with an antibiotic that works for MRSA, such as cleocin or vancocin.
    If your doctor gives you antibiotics, it is essential that you finish the whole course of medication, even if the symptoms seem to be clearing up.
    Some of these symptoms are serious enough to require medical attention regardless of whether or not they are MRSA related.
    If you suspect that a wound is infected with MRSA, cover it with a leak-proof dressing to prevent the infection spreading, while you wait for medical attention.

Warnings

    MRSA is too hard for you to identify on your own. If you suspect you have any of these symptoms, call a doctor. The doctor will carry out the diagnostic tests to decide whether or not you have the disease.
    If you have a compromised immune system, you are at greater risk of suffering from the more severe symptoms of MRSA, and the infection is more likely to prove fatal.