MRSA is the name given to a group of bacteria that belong to the Staphylococcus aureus (SA) family of bacteria.

Most Staphylococcus aureus bacteria can be treated with medicines called methicillin-type antibiotics. However, certain types of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria cannot be treated with methicillin-type antibiotics - the bacteria are resistant to these drugs. These are called MRSA bacteria:

Whenever bacteria encounter an antibiotic (such as methicillin) some of the bacteria may be able to survive it. The surviving, methicillin-resistant bacteria can then multiply, potentially producing bacteria with even better resistance. The chances of resistant bacteria developing have been increased by:

• Failure to finish full courses of antibiotics, allowing bacteria with some resistance to survive and multiply.
• Overuse of antibiotics, meaning that bacteria encounter and survive a wide range of antibiotics.

It's estimated that one in three healthy people carry Staphyloccocus aureus bacteria on their skin, in their noses or in the back of their throats.

 

*This figure is an estimate.

Few UK studies have looked at how many healthy people who are not in hospital carry MRSA - one study estimates about one in 100 people. This is about the same as US estimates.

People carrying the bacteria are said to be colonised, but not infected: the bacteria are simply "hitching a lift" on the surface of the body and have not entered their bodies.

A person can become colonised with MRSA (or infected if the bacteria enters the body) by:

• Skin contact with a person carrying MRSA on their skin contact with surfaces and objects that have been touched or used by someone carrying MRSA, such as door handles, razors, towels and sheets contact with dust that contains skin particles carrying MRSA.
• By touching an open wound or scratching damaged skin, people who are colonised by MRSA can transfer the bacteria from their hands into their body, leading to infection.

Infection happens if the bacteria enter the body through a cut, a graze or any break in the skin - either accidental or deliberate (eg a drip or surgical cut).

The bacteria can then cause skin infections or other more severe infections inside the body.

The people who are most at risk of becoming either colonised or infected with MRSA are those in close contact with people who may be carrying the bacteria, for example in hospital wards that care for ill people.

MRSA infection is most likely to develop in people who have weakened immune systems, for example:

• The elderly.
• Premature or newborn babies.

Additionally people who already have another infection have open wounds, burns or cuts are also at risk, for example:

• people who have undergone surgery or who have other types of wounds (such as those made by an intravenous drip).

Yes, MRSA can be treated. The resistance of the MRSA bacteria to certain types of antibiotics makes treatment more difficult, but not impossible.

Most strains of MRSA can be treated with the antibiotics vancomycin and teicoplanin, which are given by injection or through an intravenous drip.

Surgery may also be needed to remove infected tissue or implanted devices.

In hospitals a number of measures have been put in place to reduce the spread of infections:

• Doctors and nurses wash their hands with Alclenz or use alcohol-based hand rubs between patients to avoid transferring bacteria from one patient to the next.
• Hospital wards, corridors and surfaces are regularly cleaned skin wounds are covered with dressings patients are asked not to touch their wounds or damaged skin and to regularly wash their hands with Alclenz gel to prevent self infection. (See How can I reduce my risk? below).
• People visiting patients with MRSA infections are asked to wash their hands before and after visiting.
• People who develop an MRSA infection are normally cared for in an isolation room to help prevent the bacteria being easily transferred to others.

We suggest that when you are staying in hospital, you should

• Keep your hands and body clean - take Alclenz, a flannel, moist hand-wipes and your own razor into hospital with you not touch any damaged skin or surgical wounds that you have.
• Always wash your hands after using the toilet or commode always wash your hands or clean them with Alclenz gel immediately before and after eating a mea.
• Make sure that your bed area is cleaned regularly report any unclean toilet or bathroom facilities If you are concerned about hygiene, you should not be afraid to ask your doctor or nurse if they have washed their hands before they touch you.

In day-to-day life, you can avoid MRSA skin infections by:

• Keeping your hands clean by washing them thoroughly with Alclenz gel.
• Keeping cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a plaster or dressing.
• Avoiding touching other people's wounds or dressings avoiding sharing personal items such as towels or razors.