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MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, November 2008.

Answers to questions about MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

What measures will my hospital take to reduce my risk of getting MRSA infection?

Every hospital should comply with the government hygiene Code of Practice in order to protect their patients from MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

Explanation

The Department of Health has produced a Code of Practice under the Health Act of 2006 called "Code of Practice for the Prevention and Control of Health Care Associated Infections".

This guidance is to help hospitals and other healthcare institutions plan how they can prevent and control healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) such as MRSA. The Code of Practice covers:

  • the duty to protect patients and staff from HCAIs
  • the duty to have systems and policies in place to prevent infection and to have a clean environment
  • the duty to provide isolation areas and laboratory facilities to identify MRSA
  • the duty to provide information to patients and the general public

For MRSA infection, the guidance specifically states a requirement for clear policies on:

  • screening people for MRSA before admission
  • removal of the MRSA bacteria from people who are carrying it
  • isolation and transfer of infected patients
  • use of antibiotics to prevent infection during surgery

The Royal College of Nursing has also produced guidelines for nursing staff about MRSA infection. It includes both information about MRSA and guidelines to prevent its spread.

If you are at all worried about MRSA or the cleanliness of your hospital, speak to your doctor or nurse. Don't be afraid to ask questions or to complain about the cleanliness of equipment or the environment.

For more information, see Prevention in the MRSA overview.

Further information

Sources

  • Code of Practice for the Prevention and Control of Health Care Associated Infections. Department of Health. 2006. www.dh.gov.uk
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Guidance for nursing staff. Royal College of Nursing recommendations. www.rcn.org.uk, accessed 20 February 2008
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I've heard about community-acquired MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) on the news. What is it and am I likely to get it?

Community-acquired MRSA (C-MRSA) is when MRSA infection occurs in a healthy person who isn't usually expected to get MRSA. The number of C-MRSA infections appear to be increasing, but the actual risk of getting this type of infection is very small.

Explanation

MRSA infection is usually acquired in hospitals, but the number of infections occurring in the community has been rising. The MRSA infection is called a C-MRSA infection if it develops in a person who hasn't:

  • recently been in hospital
  • had intravenous or other invasive treatment
  • been taking long-term antibiotics

C-MRSA infections, unlike hospital-acquired MRSA, are usually more sensitive to antibiotic treatment. This means there are more treatment options available compared to hospital-acquired MRSA. However, some strains of C-MRSA are also very resistant to antibiotics.

C-MRSA can cause skin infections such as abscesses (collections of pus) and cellulitis (an infection under the skin that causes tenderness and swelling) and less often wound infections, blood poisoning or pneumonia.

The risk of getting C-MRSA is very small. Between 2002 and 2005, the Health Protection Agency in the UK identified 100 people with C-MRSA infection, and of these one person died.

People who are more likely to get C-MRSA are those who:

  • take part in close-contact sports such as rugby or wrestling where the risk of having skin cuts is high
  • have a skin condition, such as eczema
  • are very young or old (children and people over 65)

As with hospital-acquired MRSA, good hand hygiene and ensuring cuts and grazes are covered with a dressing are the most effective ways of preventing the spread of C-MRSA.

If you are worried about C-MRSA, ask your GP for advice.

Further information

Sources

  • Community acquired MRSA. Health Protection Agency. Press statement 3 March 2005. www.hpa.org.uk, accessed 20 February 2008
  • Dancer SJ. Importance of the environment in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus acquisition: the case for hospital cleaning. Lancet Infect Dis 2008; 8:101-113. www.thelancet.com
  • Basco WT. Community-acquired MRSA: evolving pathogens. Medscape, 2005. www.medscape.com, accessed 20 February 2008
  • Nakagawa S, Taneike I, Mimura D et al. Gene sequences and specific detection for Panton-Valentine leukocidin. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005; 328:995-1002. www.sciencedirect.com
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How serious is MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection?

Infection with MRSA can be very serious because it's resistant to certain types of antibiotics and this makes treatment more difficult. It also tends to occur in people who are already ill in hospital.

Explanation

MRSA infection usually occurs in people who may have a weak immune system. The bacteria enter the body through a wound or cut in the skin. If the immune system can't fight the bacteria, the person can develop a serious infection very quickly. If the bacteria enter the bloodstream, it can cause blood poisoning. This can lead to complications that affect the bones, heart and lungs.

It's difficult to prove that MRSA actually causes death because people with it who die are often already seriously ill with another condition. In 2005, 25 out of a million men and 14 out of a million women with MRSA died while they had the infection.

If you are worried about MRSA, ask your GP for advice.

Further information

Sources

  • Trends in MRSA in England and Wales: analysis of morbidity and mortality data for 1993-2002. Office for National Statistics. Health Statistics Quarterly, Spring 2004. www.statistics.gov.uk
  • Deaths involving MRSA and Clostridium difficile continue to rise. Office for National Statistics. Health Statistics Quarterly, Spring 2007. www.statistics.gov.uk
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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Dr W H Simpson, MBBS, General Practitioner, and by Bupa doctors. It has also been reviewed by MRSA Action UK. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: November 2008.

 

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