{"id":1981,"date":"2018-07-16T03:35:40","date_gmt":"2018-07-16T03:35:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=1981"},"modified":"2021-05-19T13:31:41","modified_gmt":"2021-05-19T13:31:41","slug":"9-general-mrsa-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/9-general-mrsa-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"14 General MRSA Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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MRSA is short for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus \u2013 a bacterial infection that\u2019s contagious. This infection is worth knowing more about because it\u2019s not just a threat to the person who contracts it, but also to those living around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, this particular infection is such a strong and resilient one that it\u2019s able to withstand most of the conventional antibiotics such as penicillin, methicillin, amoxicillin, and oxacillin. The end result could be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With such a stubborn strain of bad bacteria, it\u2019s important that we educate ourselves about the symptoms and seek to work on them straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people could easily mistake MRSA for staph, since the latter is much more common than the former. It\u2019s more important to know about the symptoms and how to deal with the situation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Boils<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

MRSA usually manifests itself in the form of stubborn boils <\/a>or bumps on a person\u2019s skin. This person could otherwise present a picture of perfect health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boil may be seen at first as a mildly annoying irregularity, but not a particularly alarming one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, with time, the boil may grow to alarming sizes and refuse to heal even with conventional treatment methods. The trouble usually starts when the infection gets inside our bodies through some sort of scratch, cut, or other kinds of abrasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should hence be wary if the boil is anywhere near even a tiny opening in our skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boil might be painful, swollen, and display redness. It may also leak pus or some other kind of liquid. This should immediately be taken as a warning sign and referred to the doctor as soon as possible. Taking action right away could prevent a lot of grief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Pimples<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The difference between a boil and a pimple <\/a>might be that the former doesn\u2019t have a \u2019head\u2019, while a pimple does. This is a central point where a person may even be tempted to pop the pimple. Of course, this latter action is not at all recommended, not even for regular pimples. If a person is at risk of contracting MRSA, this action should especially be avoided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, if a pimple seems stubborn, is leaking pus or other fluids, seems to be swollen and is painful to touch, there\u2019s probably a risk of MRSA. This infection, along with staph infection, should be the first two considerations to come to mind, especially if you\u2019ve been exposed to a risky environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such environments could include locker rooms, gyms, exercise mats, and using other people\u2019s belongings such as their cell phones. Shared towels, gym equipment, etc, can lead to a spread of the infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Impetigo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Impetigo <\/a>is another kind of skin infection that is more common than MRSA but could be brought about by the stronger infection. It\u2019s usually caused by what we commonly know as strep or Group A Streptococcus.
This is a bacterium that\u2019s usually manifested on our skin or inside our throats, hence the term \u2018strep throat\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Impetigo is not necessary whenever this bacteria is present, but it may develop especially when there\u2019s another underlying issue; in this case, MRSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impetigo infection is usually characterized by small red sores or spots appearing on the body. The most common areas for this are the face, mouth, and nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, other body areas are not immune to these symptoms. These sores may not e painful, but they can cause itching and irritation. They would eventually become blisters and ooze out fluid, becoming infectious for people who come into contact with the carrier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Abscesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abscesses <\/a>are collections of pus that gather inside our body tissues. When the MRSA infection enters our internal systems, abscesses of all kinds could rise up as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These could include the boils and pimples we\u2019ve discussed earlier but may also be simple bumps or selling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you press such an abscess, you may feel some warmth as well as a fluid build-up inside of it. Other signs of an MRSA abscess is that it\u2019s consistently swelled up, painful, and has redness around it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abscesses may normally be seen in places that have hair and may arise around hair follicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This makes sense since ingrown hair or open follicles are an open invitation to infections in any case. Carbuncles are a larger type of abscess that also have something to do with hair follicles. If an abscess is extremely large, it may require an ultrasound to determine the underlying cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Septicemia or Blood Poisoning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Septicemia <\/a>occurs when the bloodstream is extremely and seriously infected. Other names given to this condition are blood poisoning and bacteremia. Since the MRSA infection could affect several areas on and inside our bodies, it\u2019s absolutely possible that it could get into our lungs or skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, it could directly enter the bloodstream. Septicemia or blood poisoning is as dangerous as it sounds, as the bacteria and the toxins they contain can spread through the entire body. This could lead to several illnesses, including high fever and even death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Septicemia is left undiagnosed and untreated for a long period of time, it could evolve into the state of sepsis, which is a direct threat to our very lives. It\u2019s essential that you rush to a hospital if such a condition is suspected. Otherwise, septic could occur due to low blood pressure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Pneumonia or Lung Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We usually think of pneumonia <\/a>as an infection caused by extreme cold. While this is true, it could also be caused by several other factors, including MRSA and the conditions that put us at risk of such infections. Pneumonia is essentially the infection of the lungs. It could be limited to just one as well as both lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cause may be viral, fungal, or bacterial (as in the case of MRSA). In fact, the most common form of pneumonia in adults is a bacterial infection, usually linked to some infection they picked up through sharing towels, mats, or equipment. Pneumonia cause fields like pus to fill up in the air sacs of or lungs. This causes a sort of inflammation that can make it very hard to breathe properly. The symptoms of pneumonia itself could be fever, chills, sweating, panting, pain in the chest, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Osteomyelitis or Bone Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bone infections, also known as Osteomyelitis<\/a>, can occur when fungi or certain kinds of bacteria take over a bone or bone structure. If this happens with children, these bone infections are more likely to be found within their long bones. These would be the arms and the legs. If we\u2019re talking about adults, bone infections would probably attack in the spine, the hips, and the feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s absolutely possible for a bone infection to be a symptom of MRSA. When this happens, it may not be immediately apparent that you or someone you know has a bone infection. Such issues usually start small and spread over some time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If not given the proper treatment, such infections could go beyond the pale of treatments and result in permanent damage. We may be looking at the loss of a limb or the loss of movement in certain body areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Endocarditis or Heart Valve Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Endocarditis <\/a>is an infection that directly affects the heart valves. When bacteria from an infection like MRSA enter the heart lining through the bloodstream, a whole valve or a blood vessel could get infected. This is quite a dangerous condition which fortunately isn\u2019t that common. It\u2019s more likely to develop in people who suffer from heart problems to begin with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acute Endocarditis could develop quite suddenly and even take a life in a matter of days. The less serious type, chronic or subacute Endocarditis, can develop over weeks or even months. When this happened, the heart valves don\u2019t get the direct blood supply they require.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This results in the immune system being compromised. If it\u2019s suspected that the infection has spread as far as the heart, immediate action must be taken to fight against it.
Several extra-strong antibiotics must be administered through I.V if the infection is MRSA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Urinary Tract or Bladder Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A Urinary Tract Infection<\/a> or UTI is usually characterized by several symptoms. These could include, but are not limited to: pain or a burning sensation during urination, a pressing urge to urinate after very short periods of time, difficulty in getting urine out, general irritation and dryness around the genitals, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is quite a painful and risky kind of infection and can be a side symptom of MRSA as well. If you\u2019re experiencing any of these issues or have been diagnosed with a UTI, check around for other symptoms of the infection on your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the MRSA is affecting your urinary tract or bladder, chances are that the more apparent signs of the infection would be around the same area as well. For instance, there might be some lesions or pustules on the buttocks, thighs, or even on the genital area itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

MRSA is a bacterial infection, and as with other diseases \u2013 it causes a fever<\/a>. Symptoms of fever vary depending on the strain of bacteria and the intensity of the infection. Some people with a staph infection, notice that they receive very mild fever – and don\u2019t require the use of medications to break the fever. However, others may experience a high-fever if the infection remains untreated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the body experiences infection, the hypothalamus signals the immune system to produce pyrogens. These compounds enter the bloodstream and cause an elevation in temperature to get rid of the virus or bacteria. Some infected individuals experiencing a fever may notice that they get chills as well. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chills occur because the pyrogens elevate the body\u2019s temperature set point. Unfortunately, it takes a while for your body to catch up to the new temperature settings, and as a result, we start to experience chills. Doctors will typically leave a mild fever to break on its own, but should it become high \u2013 they may opt to prescribe medications.<\/span><\/wp-block><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Cellulitis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first signs of MRSA infection typically present as a red bump on the skin. As time progresses, the knob advances to a puss-filled blister that ruptures. However, if left untreated, MRSA can result in an infection of the deeper layers of the skin and subdermal tissues. This condition is known as \u201ccellulitis<\/a>,\u201d and spreads quickly through the infected area.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are dealing with a staph infection may notice that the area around the bump starts to redden, spreading quickly throughout the surrounding area in a matter of hours. The inflammation turns the skin pink or reddish and appears swollen. The legs and arms are common spots for this to occur, as the movement of the muscle spurs further inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After starting treatment with antibiotics, the redness and swelling will begin to dissipate, provided that the drugs are adequate and the strain of staph you\u2019re dealing with, responds to the treatment.<\/span><\/wp-block><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Contagion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

MRSA is an incredibly infectious disease. In some cases, brief skin contact with an infected individual is all it takes to contract MRSA bacteria. People who engage in contact sports, such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling are at risk of developing staph if they train with infected partners. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sweating on the mats during training spreads the bacteria <\/a>all over the canvas, and anyone that comes in contact with these body fluids is at risk of developing MRSA. It\u2019s for this reason that gyms mop their floors after every class \u2013 as a preventative measure against staph and other infections \u2013 such as ringworm.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, people with staph can spread their infection to their partner, due to sleeping in the same bed on the same sheets or sharing the same bathwater. Sexual contact also spreads the bacteria as well. People infected with staph should take immediate steps to control and eradicate the bacteria \u2013 while ensuring that they avoid contact with others.<\/span><\/wp-block><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Treating MRSA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

MRSA is notoriously difficult to treat due to the aggressive nature of the infection. As a result, the disease is highly resistant to many forms of medications. Drugs like amoxicillin<\/a>, methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin, and cephalosporins have little to no effect on clearing MRSA.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some forms of MRSA clear on their own, and may only require a visit to the doctor\u2019s office for draining and dressing. However, invasive types of MRSA need treatment with intravenous drugs like Vancomycin. Other orally administered medications used in the treatment of staph include; trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, or linezolid. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may surprise you to learn that hospitals are the leading cause of staph infections, with more than 50-percent of all reported cases happening to patients admitted to hospital for other health issues. However, the medical community realizes this is a problem, and they are working on establishing protocols to prevent the transmission of the disease to patients.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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