MRSA Bacteria
MRSA bacteria refer to a type of infection caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (or S. aureus). Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "Staph," are bacteria commonly on the skin or even in the noses of healthy people. Usually, these don’t cause problems. However, some strains of S. aureus are resistant to a class of methicillin antibiotics (a synthetic form of penicillin) frequently used to treat Staph infections. Then they are called Methicillin-Resistant Staph aureus (or MRSA).
In the U.S., MRSA is caused by several different strains of Staph. At present, there appears to be at least three different known strains of staphylococci that can cause CA-MRSA infections in the U.S. The unique properties associated with cases of CA-MRSA thus far have varied greatly across various geographic regions where outbreaks have occurred and appear unrelated. The CDC continues to work with state and local health departments to gather epidemiologic data from all the cases that have been identified to determine why certain groups of people get infections with these organisms in the community. Efforts to evaluate Staphylococci infection in the community setting from around the U.S. are ongoing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeing MRSA bacteria attacking healthy people and healthy skin. Staph infections can affect healthy people and healthy skin. Usually, these infections are easily treated. Any activity that promotes a breakdown in the skin (e.g., chronic skin infections, physical trauma, and poor health) can promote Staph infections including those caused by MRSA. (We do point out that CDC’s understanding of “healthy” people, and immune systems, is far from our definition!)
Who Has MRSA Bacteria?
Staph bacteria are fairly common. From all research indications, it probably is currently on the skin of about one third of all people. A healthy person really does have a lot of resistance to MRSA. Injuries to the skin (e.g. a scrape or cut) can allow an opportunity for bacteria to enter the skin and cause an infection – but a healthy immune system will usually resist it. Infections caused by staph are usually mild, limited to the surface of the skin and can be treated successfully with proper hygiene and antibiotics. (This does make it pretty important to give your body what it needs to be healthy.)
In rare cases, if left untreated or not recognized early, MRSA infections can be difficult to treat and can progress to life-threatening blood or bone infections because there are fewer effective antibiotics available for treatment.
Treatment
Draining the skin sore is often the only treatment needed for a local skin MRSA infection. This can be done at the doctor's office. More serious MRSA infections, especially HA-MRSA infections, are becoming increasingly difficult to treat. Antibiotics that may still have some effect include vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS), linezolid (Zyvox), tetracycline (doxycycline), or clindamycin.
It is important to finish all doses of antibiotics you have been given, even if you feel better before the final dose. Unfinished doses can lead to development of further drug resistance in the bacteria.
Other treatments may be needed for infections that are more serious. The person will be admitted to a hospital. Treatment may involve:
A Better Way!
Instead of being dependent only on standard medical treatment (weak, at best), you can let Nature work for you! It has to defend itself against the same bacteria and has developed some wonderful defenses. We spend substantial time on these essential oils and monolaurin on our main articles on the site. When you look at them, you will see our complete natural treatment system for MRSA. Today, it is even more important to be aware of natural treatments because of the difficulty antibiotics are having. Our Ultimate Staph Treatment. involves:
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An external treatment for mercer conditions,
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An internal direct mercer treatment and immune system strengthener, and
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A household environment mercer antibacterial products.
If you, or some you love, have MRSA symptoms, we invite you take a closer look in our website at: The 5-Step MRSA Treatment Plan
Updated at 5/12/2009 10:32:34 AM