Published by Bupa's Health Information Team, June 2010.
This factsheet is for people who have MRSA, or who would like information about it.
The full name for MRSA is meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is resistant to medicines called meticillin-type antibiotics, which means that it isn't killed by these antibiotics and can be very difficult to treat. It's sometimes called a superbug. MRSA is easy to catch and can sometimes cause serious infection.
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a member of the Staphylococcus family of bacteria. It's estimated that one in three healthy people harmlessly carry S. aureus on their skin, in their nose or in their mouth. If this happens, you're said to be colonised, or a carrier. Most people who are colonised with S. aureus don't go on to develop an infection. However, if your immune system becomes weakened or if you have a wound, these bacteria can cause an infection. S. aureus can cause boils and abscesses, infect wounds and cause blood infections and food poisoning.
Infections caused by S. aureus bacteria can usually be treated with meticillin-type antibiotics. However, infections caused by MRSA bacteria are resistant to these antibiotics.
MRSA is no more infectious than other types of S. aureus, but because of its resistance to many types of antibiotics, it's more difficult to treat.
If MRSA infects your skin, it may cause pimples, boils, abscesses and impetigo. The affected areas may be swollen, painful and red and may have pus coming from them.
If MRSA gets into a wound, it can cause infection. The infection can take longer to heal or sometimes the wound may not heal properly.
If MRSA enters your bloodstream, it can infect almost any part of your body, including your lungs, kidneys and liver. It may cause an abscess inside your body or blood poisoning. If you have this kind of infection, you will have a fever and will feel unwell. You may also have pain and shaking (rigors).
MRSA can cause serious illness if it's not treated quickly. Complications include:
You can become colonised with MRSA by contact with someone carrying MRSA on their skin. You can develop MRSA infection when the bacteria enter your body through a wound or by the use of contaminated equipment.
The most common way that MRSA is spread is on the hands. MRSA can be picked up from contact with objects that have been touched or used by someone who has MRSA, such as towels, sheets, clothes or dressings.
MRSA usually doesn't cause any problems in people who are healthy and have a good immune system. MRSA infection is most likely to develop in people who:
MRSA is diagnosed by taking a sample of blood or body fluid such as urine, or by swabbing your skin or any wound.
The sample is sent to a laboratory to be examined. If MRSA is found, more tests are done to find out which type of antibiotic the MRSA responds to.
Even if you don't have an MRSA infection, you may be tested to see if you're colonised with the bacteria. This is called screening for MRSA and might be done if you're going into hospital.
People who are colonised with MRSA and are healthy don't need any treatment.
If you're carrying MRSA, your doctor may prescribe treatment to get rid of the bacteria to reduce your risk of infection, for example, if you're going into hospital for an operation. This is done by washing your skin and hair with antiseptic lotion and shampoo. You may also be given antibiotic cream for your nose.
The resistance of MRSA bacteria to certain types of antibiotics makes treatment difficult, but not impossible. If you have an MRSA infection, you will be prescribed antibiotics. Various combinations of antibiotics may be used to treat an MRSA infection, depending on where the infection is and how severe it is.
Treatment may last for several weeks. Many MRSA infections can only be treated with antibiotics given through a drip into a vein. Antibiotics can also be taken as tablets.
Always ask your doctor for advice and read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
There are a number of measures you can take to stop MRSA from spreading and to reduce your risk of infection.
While you're in hospital, you can reduce your risk of infection by making sure that you, your surroundings and staff are all following general good hygiene practices. These may include:
Doctors, nurses and other health staff wash their hands and use alcohol-based hand gels between patients to stop bacteria being transferred from one patient to the next. Hospital wards, corridors and surfaces are regularly cleaned. However, if you have any concerns about hygiene, you should speak to your doctor or nurse.
If you develop an MRSA infection, you may be cared for in a private room or in a ward with other people who have MRSA, to help stop the infection from spreading.
See our videos about MRSA:
For answers to frequently asked questions on this topic, see Common questions.
For sources and links to further information, see Resources.
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This information was published by Bupa's Health Information Team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been reviewed by appropriate medical or clinical professionals. Photos are only for illustrative purposes and do not reflect every presentation of a condition. The content is intended only for general information and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional. For more details on how we produce our content and its sources, visit the About our Health Information page.
Publication date: June 2010
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