**Methicillin-resistant Staph Aureus FAQ (adapted from CDC)**

MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that has acquired resistance to several antibiotics.
Staph aureus can be part of the normal bacterial flora and typically colonizes on the skin and in the nose.
MRSA most commonly causes skin infection, which presents as swelling, redness, warmth, and pain in the affected area.
If left untreated, MRSA can infect the bloodstream causing sepsis leading to more severe complications.
- Although MRSA is not an immediately life-threatening condition, anyone who suspects MRSA infection should seek treatment urgently to prevent further complications from the infection.
- MRSA can be spread in the community through contact with contaminated objects, skin injuries, or contact with infected individuals.

Following and maintaining contact precautions for known MRSA infections are the most effective means of preventing transmission.

Maintaining proper hand and body hygiene is the most important means of preventing MRSA infection.
All individuals interacting with the patient should use personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes donning a gown and gloves.

Common signs and symptoms of MRSA infection include:
- Skin swelling
- Warmth, redness, pain in the affected area
- Fever
- Leukocytosis
For the differential diagnosis of a skin infection, other bacteria can present similarly. These include primarily other Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species.

Treatment of MRSA infections often requires inpatient admission with long-term IV antibiotic therapy such as Vancomycin or Daptomycin.
Avoid direct skin-to-skin contact with others is essential for preventing the spread of MRSA.

The most critical and life-threatening complications of MRSA are bacteremia and sepsis.

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