Orthopedics and Physiotherapy

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by a type of staph bacteria that's become resistant to many of the antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections.Most MRSA infections occur in people who've been in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers. When it occurs in these settings, it's known as health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). HA-MRSA infections usually are associated with invasive procedures or devices, such as surgeries, intravenous tubing or artificial joints. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria that has become resistant to many antibiotics commonly used to treat ordinary staph infections. Originally discovered in 1961, MRSA has since become a significant public health challenge due to its ability to cause severe infections that are difficult to treat. HA-MRSA can spread by health care workers touching people with unclean hands or people touching unclean surfaces. Another type of MRSA infection has occurred in the wider community — among healthy people. This form, community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA), often begins as a painful skin boil. It's usually spread by skin-to-skin contact. At-risk populations include groups such as high school wrestlers, child care workers and people who live in crowded conditions. MRSA infections can occur in various parts of the body, including the skin, lungs, bloodstream, and surgical wounds.