How is MRSA Spread...and Can It Be Treated?

MRSA germs can be found on the skin, in the nose and in the blood or urine. Most commonly, the bacteria are spread between people through physical contact. In healthcare facilities, it is usually healthcare workers who spread the germs from patient to patient on their hands, clothing or instruments.

While MRSA bacteria do not travel through the air, they can live for days on personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing or uniforms—anything that has had contact with MRSA infected skin or body fluids.

The good news is that most MRSA infections are treatable with powerful antibiotics. The treatment may be in the form of a pill, an IV or a topical antibiotic cream. The most important part of treatment for an MRSA infection is that people follow the directions for taking the antibiotic—and don’t stop taking it just because they are feeling better or it looks like their infection is gone. That’s one of the reasons that staph bacteria became drug-resistant in the first place!

Here’s the deal: antibiotics kill enough bacteria to control a person’s infection, beginning with the weakest germs. Because no antibiotic can destroy every harmful germ in someone’s body, there are always some bacteria left. (This is especially true if the person stops taking the antibiotic before the prescription is finished.) The strongest germs survive and teach themselves how to fight the antibiotic.

So, when a doctor prescribes antibiotics for MRSA infections, it is vital that people take all the doses. They should not share their antibiotic with others or “save” some of the doses to use at a later time.

In addition to medication, some MRSA infections may need to be cut open and drained by a physician. Some MRSA infections may return after being treated. If this happens, people should seek medical attention.

What Can You Do to Prevent MRSA?

Remember...MRSA is most often spread by human hands—especially healthcare workers' hands. Your hands may become contaminated with MRSA bacteria by touching people who are either infected or colonized with the germ. If you don’t wash your hands properly with soap and water (or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer), the bacteria can be spread when you touch other clients.

To reduce the spread of MRSA in your workplace, the Centers for Disease Control (the CDC) recommends that you:

• Wash your hands between every patient contact. • Wear gloves and disposable gowns when working with patients who have staph infections.

• Disinfect stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and other patient equipment after each use.

• Move patients who have been diagnosed with MRSA into private rooms.

• Follow any other infection control policies for your workplace.

To reduce the spread of MRSA in community settings, you can:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.

• Avoid touching other people’s wounds.

• Avoid sharing personal items like razors and towels.

• Use antibiotics only when necessary.

If you have questions about MRSA that weren't answered by this information, please leave a comment and we'll get back to you! 

Thanks for reading!