Health care providers have seen an increase in bacterial attacks in healthy adults and children in Texas County and the surrounding area. Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or CA-MRSA, is emerging outside hospitals in individuals with no known risk factors. CA-MRSA is not a reportable disease so exact numbers are not known.

Staphylococcusw aureus (SA) is a common type of bacteria that can live harmlessly in the nose or on the skin. Most people don’t even realize they are carrying the germ, or only experience minor problems such as skin infections or boils. Minor Staphylococcus aureus infections can be treated with antibiotics. In the past, even serious infections could be successfully treated with antibiotics similar to methicillin. However, over the past 50 years or so, some types of Staphylococcus aureus have developed into “super-strains”, which have become resistant to methicillin as well as many other antibiotics and so are classified as MRSA.

CA-MRSA is caused by bacteria that enter the skin through a small cut or scratch. It appears like a painful pimple-like eruption or boil on the skin, and is often mistaken for a spider bite.

While CA-MRSA usually causes skin disease some patients may need to be hospitalized due to complications. Although the version of Staphylococcus aureus that causes pneumonia in hospitals is resistant to antibiotics, the version found in communities can be treated.

If you have a cut, scrape or bump that becomes more painful, red or swollen, or have pus or other drainage contact your health care provider.

To protect yourself from CA-MRSA, Carolyn Bell, RN, Communicable Disease Nurse at Texas County Health Department, advises you to use the following precautions:

1.      Cover all wounds.
2.      Practice good hygiene such as hand washing and bathing regularly.
3.      Don’t share items such as towels with other people.
4.      When playing competitive sports or working out at a fitness facility, clean shared equipment after use.
5.      Prevent antibiotic resistant bacteria by only using antibiotics when medically necessary, and by completing your whole course of treatment. Never use antibiotics prescribed for someone else, and do not give someone else your medication. Improper use of antibiotics helps bacteria develop resistance and weakens the ability of antibiotics to fight disease.

 

For more information contact Bell at the health department at 417-967-4131.