MRSA, which stands for "methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus", is a particular strain of bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus (staphylococcus) that normally reside on the skin. It is commonly referred to as a superbug, since it is resistant to methicillin, which is the antibiotic that exerts a bactericidal action against most staphylococci. Although it can live on our skin without causing any harm, it could cause serious infections if it began to proliferate in our body through a scratch or wound. The problem is that this bacterium produces symptoms very similar to those of other less aggressive infections, but without proper drug treatment it risks becoming very dangerous. Read on to learn how to spot MRSA symptoms.
Recognize the Symptoms
MRSA is a serious infection that can become life-threatening if left untreated. Look for the following symptoms and see your doctor:
| Area | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Skin | Skin lesions, bumps, inflamed areas, rash, necrosis in the most severe cases |
| Pus | Pus-filled bumps, boils, abscesses, sty |
| Fever | Body temperature above 38 ° C, chills |
| Head | Headache and fatigue can accompany a serious infection |
| Kidneys / Bladder | A urinary tract infection could indicate an infection that is spreading systemically |
| Lungs | Coughing and wheezing can be symptoms of a widespread infection |
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Identifying the Early Symptoms
Step 1. Look for skin lesions
A MRSA infection develops where there are wounds or cuts in the skin. Look closely at hair bulbs as it also spreads to areas covered with hair, such as beard, nape, armpits, groin, legs, head or buttocks.
Step 2. Notice for bumps or red, inflamed skin
MRSA occurs in the form of bumps or sore areas of the skin. Many times it is confused with an insect bite, such as a spider bite, or it can resemble a pimple. Pay attention to any areas where the skin is red, inflamed, sore, or hot to the touch.
Keep an eye out for small bumps, cuts, scrapes, and redness. If they become infected, see your doctor
Step 3. Look for signs of infectious cellulitis
MRSA can cause infectious cellulitis, which is an infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissues that causes widespread swelling, characterized by a pink or red complexion. The skin can be warm, sensitive, or swollen.
Infectious cellulite can begin with small red bumps. Some areas of the skin may appear bruised
Step 4. Notice if a rash appears
The term rash indicates a change in the color and texture of the skin affected by mostly red spots. If they do spread, examine them carefully. If they are hot to the touch, multiply rapidly, or are painful, you should see your doctor.
Part 2 of 3: Observe the Presence of Pus
Step 1. Determine if the lesion is purulent
If you have a bump or injury, look for a fluid-filled cavity that moves under the pressure of your finger. See if it has a yellow or white center with a head. You may also notice traces of pus on the outside.
Step 2. Look for pimples
Boils are purulent infections that affect the hair follicles. Check if they are present on the scalp. Also examine any other places on the body where hair grows, such as the groin, neck, and armpits.
Step 3. Look for the presence of an abscess
An abscess is a painful accumulation of pus under the skin. In some cases to eliminate it, in addition to antibiotic therapy, it is necessary to resort to surgery: incision, evacuation of pus and drainage of the cavity.
Pay attention to the honeycomb. It is a huge abscess from which purulent serum emerges
Step 4. Consider the sty
Sty is an infection of the sebaceous glands of the eyelid. It causes inflammation and redness of the eye and the eyelid itself. It can be internal or external and usually has a whitish or yellowish head that looks like a pimple. It may be painful when you open and close your eyes.
Step 5. Watch out for impetigo
Impetigo is a skin infection that occurs in the form of a pus-filled blister. The blisters can also grow in size, rupture, and leave a yellowish crust around the infected area.
Part 3 of 3: Handling the Most Serious Cases
Step 1. Track improvements
If your doctor diagnosed you with a staph infection and gave you antibiotic treatment, you will begin to recover within 2-3 days. If you do not notice any improvement there is a possibility that it is MRSA. Once infected, you are more at risk of reinfection. So, keep an eye on your condition and be prepared to go back to the doctor right away.
Step 2. Notice if you have a headache, fever, and fatigue
If you've been diagnosed with a staph or MRSA infection, these symptoms could indicate a worsening of the condition. Be careful not to confuse them with the flu ones. You may also feel dizzy and confused.
Take your temperature if you think you have a fever. If it gets to 38 ° C or higher, it becomes worrying
Step 3. Notice the symptoms of a very serious MRSA infection
If the infection spreads in the body it can suffocate the lungs, inflame the urinary tract, and even begin to erode the tissues. If left untreated it can cause necrotizing fasciitis, a rare and violent infection of the deep layers of the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
- Look out for signs that it has spread to the lungs. If the infection goes unnoticed and is not treated there is a risk of it reaching the lungs. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
- If the high fever and chills are accompanied by a urinary tract infection, they indicate that MRSA has spread to other organs in the body, such as the kidneys and urinary tract.
- Necrotizing fasciitis is a very rare but not unlikely infection. It can manifest itself with severe pain in the infected area.
Step 4. Don't hesitate to heal yourself
If you think you have been infected with MRSA, whatever the stage of the infection, take action as quickly as possible before the bacterium takes root systemically. Even if you are unsure, consult your doctor. MRSA can have serious and dangerous consequences, so it's not worth taking risks.
If MRSA is acquired in the community, the therapy is Bactrim, while if it is a nosocomial infection, it is treated with intravenous vancomycin
Advice
- Some symptoms of MRSA are severe enough to require medical attention regardless of the source of the infection.
- If your doctor prescribes antibiotic therapy, you need to go through with the treatment, even if the symptoms are disappearing.
- If you think you have any of these symptoms, such as boils or abscesses, cover them with gauze to avoid spreading the infection and contact your doctor. Do not try to drain the pus, as this could spread the infection. If necessary, it will be up to the doctor.
- If you suspect a wound is infected, cover it with waterproof gauze pending your doctor's opinion to prevent the spread of infection.
- It can take several days for the MRSA test results to be ready. In the meantime, your doctor may prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is also effective for MRSA, such as clindamycin and vancocin.
Warnings
- If you have a compromised immune system, you are at risk of developing the more severe symptoms of MRSA and the infection could prove fatal.
- You can't spot MRSA on your own. If you suspect that you have any symptoms of this infection, contact your doctor: he will prescribe the necessary tests for a correct diagnosis.
- If you have abscesses, blisters, or other suspicious skin marks, don't scratch them or try to squeeze them.
