How to Recognize the Symptoms of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Infection

MRSA, which stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a strain of staph bacteria typically found on the skin. These bacteria are often referred to as 'superbugs' due to their resistance to methicillin, an antibiotic capable of killing most staph bacteria. While these bacteria can live on the skin without causing harm, they may lead to serious infections if they enter the body through cuts or abrasions. MRSA infections often resemble symptoms of other less severe infections but can become extremely dangerous if untreated. Read on to learn how to identify MRSA symptoms.

MRSA là một bệnh nhiễm trùng nghiêm trọng và có thể rất nguy hiểm nếu không được điều trị. Hãy chú ý các triệu chứng sau và tìm sự chăm sóc y tế:




Khu vực	Triệu chứng
Da	Các vết rách trên da, khối u, các vùng sưng viêm, phát ban, hoại tử trong các trường hợp nghiêm trọng
Mủ	Các khối u chứa đầy dịch, nhọt, áp xe, lẹo mắt (ở mí mắt)
Sốt	Thân nhiệt cao hơn 38°C, cơ thể lạnh
Đầu	Đau đầu và mệt mỏi có thể đi kèm nhiễm trùng nghiêm trọng
Thận/Bàng quang	Nhiễm trùng đường tiết niệu có thể là dấu hiệu của tình trạng nhiễm trùng lan rộng
Phổi	Ho hoặc thở nông có thể là biểu hiện của tình trạng nhiễm trùng lan rộng

Look for cuts or tears in the skin. MRSA infections often occur in cuts or wounds on the skin. Be sure to examine hair follicles closely. This condition tends to appear in areas with hair, such as the beard, back of the neck, armpits, groin, legs, scalp, or buttocks.

Search for lumps or areas of red, inflamed skin. MRSA can present as a lump or sore on the skin. It is often mistaken for insect bites, like a spider bite or a pimple. Pay attention to red, inflamed, painful, or warm skin.

• Watch out for small lumps, cuts, scratches, and red patches. If signs of infection arise, visit a doctor.

Be cautious of cellulitis. MRSA can lead to cellulitis, an infection of the skin layers and the underlying tissue, appearing as swollen, spreading rashes that make the skin turn pink or red. The affected area may feel warm, sore, or swollen.

• Cellulitis can start from small red pimples. Some areas might look like bruises.

Watch for rashes. A rash involves red areas on the skin. Be cautious if you notice red areas spreading. If the skin feels hot, spreads quickly, or is painful, you may need to see a doctor.

Check for pus in lesions. If you spot a lump or lesion on the skin, check for fluid-filled areas that are movable and can be pressed. Look for a yellow or white center with a pus-filled head. You may also notice pus leaking out.

Look for boils. Boils are pus-filled infections located in hair follicles. Search for boils on the scalp, and examine areas of skin with hair, such as the groin, neck, and armpits.

Look for abscesses. An abscess is a painful, pus-filled lump under the skin. Abscesses may require drainage procedures and antibiotics for treatment.

• Be alert for carbuncles (severe boils). Carbuncles are large abscesses that drain pus.

Be cautious of a stye. A stye is an infection of the oil glands in the eyelid, causing redness and swelling in the eye and eyelid. A stye may appear inside or outside the eyelid. The bump often has a white or yellow center resembling a pimple. You may feel pain when blinking.

Be cautious of impetigo. Impetigo is a blister-like pus-filled sore on the skin. These pus-filled blisters can be large and may rupture, leaving a honey-colored crust around the infected area.

Monitor the effectiveness of treatment. If diagnosed with a staphylococcal infection and prescribed antibiotics, symptoms should improve within 2 to 3 days. If no improvement is seen, you may have contracted MRSA. Once infected with MRSA, you are more likely to suffer recurrent infections. It's essential to monitor your condition and seek immediate medical attention if warning signs appear.

Be alert to symptoms like headaches, fever, and fatigue. These symptoms may indicate a severe infection if you have been diagnosed with a staphylococcal infection or MRSA. The signs may resemble flu-like symptoms, and you may also experience dizziness or confusion.

• Take your temperature if you feel feverish. A high fever of 38°C or more is concerning.

Recognize the signs of deeper MRSA infection. As the infection spreads throughout the body, it can obstruct the lungs, cause urinary tract infections, or even damage body parts. If left untreated, MRSA can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a rare but serious flesh-eating bacterial infection.

• Look for signs that MRSA has reached the lungs. If untreated, the infection can spread to the lungs. Symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, and rapid breathing.
• High fever and chills can accompany a urinary tract infection, signaling that MRSA may have spread to other organs such as the kidneys and urinary tract.
• Although rare, necrotizing fasciitis is a potential outcome. It presents as intense pain at the site of infection.

Seek immediate treatment. If you suspect MRSA at any stage, it's crucial to act swiftly before the bacteria spread throughout your body. Even if you're uncertain, consult a doctor. MRSA can be a life-threatening condition, and it should not be ignored.

• The community treatment for MRSA includes Bactrim, and if you're hospitalized, intravenous vancomycin will be used.

• Some of the symptoms listed above are severe and require medical attention, regardless of whether the infection is MRSA-related or not.
• If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, be sure to complete the entire treatment course, even if your symptoms seem to improve.
• If you notice any symptoms like boils or abscesses, cover the wound with a dressing and call your doctor. Never attempt to drain pus yourself, as this could spread the infection. A doctor will perform drainage if necessary.
• If you suspect a wound is infected with MRSA, cover it with a leak-proof dressing to prevent the infection from spreading while waiting for medical care.
• It may take several days for MRSA test results to come back, so your doctor may treat you with antibiotics that are effective against MRSA, such as Cleocin or Vancocin, while awaiting results.

• If you have a weakened immune system, you are at greater risk for severe MRSA symptoms, and the infection may be more likely to cause life-threatening complications.
• It is difficult for patients to recognize if they have an MRSA infection. Contact your doctor if you suspect you have any of the symptoms listed above. Your doctor will perform diagnostic tests to confirm whether you have the infection.
• If you have an abscess, boil, or any suspicious marks on your skin, do not attempt to puncture or burst them yourself.