MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus)

MRSA is usually spread from person-to-person through direct contact with another person who is colonised or infected with MRSA.

It may also spread by having contact with items contaminated by a person with MRSA such as:

• towels
• wound dressings
• door handles, taps and other surfaces.

MRSA is not usually spread through the air. Most people do not become infected if they pick up MRSA on their skin.

There is no specific ‘MRSA disease’. The symptoms that develop with MRSA infection are common signs of local skin infection, such as:

• redness
• swelling
• pain
• heat
• the presence of pus.

Some skin infections will develop into more serious infections like boils or deep abscesses.

In some cases staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) can enter the bloodstream, from either an existing infection such as a wound or abscess or from a medical device such as an intravenous catheter or IV

Typically, signs and symptoms can include high fever, shaking and low blood pressure.

This can be a life-threatening illness and requires urgent medical treatment.

People carrying MRSA harmlessly on their skin or in their nose show no signs or symptoms and it is impossible tell if a person has MRSA by looking at them.

If infection is suspected then a doctor will take a swab or specimen of the pus or wound discharge and send it to a laboratory for testing. It can take at least 48 hours for the laboratory to identify MRSA.

Notifiable disease

MRSA is a notifiable condition. This means doctors, hospitals and laboratories must inform the Department of Health of your diagnosis. Notification is confidential.

MRSA infection has traditionally been associated with hospitals but in recent years this has changed.

Community-associated MRSA infections (CA-MRSA)

Over the last few years there has been an increase in MRSA infections in the community. CA-MRSA often causes infections in healthy people living in the community, who have not been in hospital or had any medical procedures.

It can spread to others who are in close contact with a person who has CA-MRSA, especially those who share the same household.

CA-MRSA usually causes skin infections, for example boils, that often occur again following initial treatment.

Find out more about CA-MRSA.

Healthcare-associated MRSA infections (HA-MRSA)

MRSA infection, like any other infection, is a known risk associated with having any surgery, procedure or device inserted.

Find out more information about MRSA in hospitals.

MRSA infections are treated with antibiotics.

While you have the infection

You can reduce the chances of spreading MRSA by following this advice:

• keep wounds, cuts and abrasions clean and covered until they are healed
• don’t share personal items like towels, clothing, soap bars
• wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, especially following any contact with your infection
• adopt good personal hygiene habits
• keep your environment clean – wipe surfaces regularly.

Correct hand washing procedures are the best defence against MRSA infection.

Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

There is no vaccination against S.aureus or MRSA.