What is staphylococcus aureus (staph or S.aureus)?
Staphylococcus aureus are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Aproximately 25% to 30% of the population is colonized( when bacteria are present, but not causing an infection) in the nose with staph bacteria. Staph bacteria are the most common causes of skin infection in the U.S. and most are monir and can be treated without antibiotics. Staph bacteria can also cause serious infections such as: bloodstream infections, surgical would infections and pneumonia.
WhAT IS MRSA ( methicillin-ressitant staphylococcus aureus)?
Some staph bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to antibiotics called beta-lactams. Beta-lactam antibiotics include methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. While 24% to 30% of the population is colonized with staph, aproximately 1% is colonized with MRSA. There are two types of MRSA presently, hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) and community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA), but there will be a time in the future when they will be virtually indistinguishable as CA-MRSA has moved into hospitals and now can be acquired there.
WHO GETS MRSA OR STAPH INFECTIONS?
MRSA and staph infections happen most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities( nursing homes and dialysis centers) with weakened immune systems. These staph infections include surgical wound infections, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections and pneumonia.
HOW COMMON ARE STAPH AND MRSA INFECTIONS?
The majority of MRSA infections occur among paitents in hopsitals or other healthcare settings; however, it is becoming more common in the community setting. data from a prospective study in 2003, suggests that 12% of clinical MRSA infections are community-acquired, but this varies by geographical region and population. The CDC - (Center for Disease Control)- the federal regulator for infectious disease in the U.S. does not require state health departments to report their cases of MRSA. Very few states have taken it upon themselves to report all cases happening in their hospitals to their state departments of health. The true numbers can not be determined.
Information to be used as a guideline, not intended to be used for diagnosis, consult with your physician.
