Mursa (MRSA) and Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Mursa (MRSA), as it is commonly known, is short for methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus. It is a serious staph infection. Necrotizing fasciitis, also known as "flesh-eating bacteria", can result from MRSA.

In the beginning, MRSA may look like a spider bite, pimple, small cut, or bruise. Basically, it will look like a small red bump. Eventually it will progress to a boil-like abscess or infection.

Symptoms of MRSA are redness, pain, swelling, and possibly drainage at the infected site. The patient might also feel nauseous, very tired, or be running a fever. The infected area may seem to be expanding. The only way to verify that a person does or does not have MRSA is through a culture taken by a doctor.

The doctor will put patients who have or are suspected to have MRSA on a strong antibiotic or a combination of antibiotics immediately. Some antibiotics prescribed for MRSA include daptomycin, tygecycline, vancomycin, and clindamycin. Also on the MRSA prescription list are sulfameth and rifampin. It may be necessary to put the patient on intravenous antibiotics.

If you suspect you or someone you know has MRSA, it is vital that you get to a doctor right away. The mortality rate is between 4% and 10%, so this is nothing to fool around with. See your doctor immediately if you have a boil or abscess.

Left untreated, MRSA can result in necrotizing fasciitis, which means "death of a portion of the tissue". About 17% of MRSA cases are associated with NF. Necrotizing fasciitis usually occurs in the extremities and requires surgery to remove it. If you have a strong stomach, you can search Google images for examples of NF.

Necrotizing fasciitis can destroy the skin and soft tissue, including fat and fascia (the skin covering the muscles). The so-called "flesh-eating bacteria" are aggressive and spread rapidly. 25% or more of patients with NF die, some within 18 hours. Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, died of this disease.

Because necrotizing fasciitis is caused by a strain of streptococcus bacteria, it is very important that patients see a doctor right away if they suspect they have a strep throat. With proper care, however, MRSA will not progress to this stage. If patients get to the doctor early enough and the infection is not limb or life threatening, most likely they will be treated with oral antibiotics and be seen on an outpatient basis.

Certain communities are currently having epidemics of MRSA. To avoid getting it, follow these guidelines: 1) wash your hands thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing, after using the bathroom, or before you touch food; 2) carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you for the times you can't wash your hands; 3) treat any skin injuries by washing and applying an antibiotic ointment or spray; 4) if you do have a skin injury, avoid anyone who might have strep throat; 5) avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, clothing, and athletic equipment; 6) shower after athletic games or practices; 7) cover cuts and scrapes with a clean bandage.