How Is MRSA Treated?

Mark Gurarie
·6 min read
Xavier Bonghi / Getty Images
Xavier Bonghi / Getty Images

Medically reviewed by Daniel More, MD

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of Staphylococcus, or "staph" bacteria, that can cause skin infections and affect the lungs, heart, and blood. Staph bacteria are usually harmless; however, MRSA bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics—namely methicillin, a lab marker for penicillin—making them tougher to manage. Infections often occur in hospital or clinical environments, but it can also spread in schools, workplaces, or other parts of the community.

If untreated, MRSA may become dangerous, especially if it spreads to the blood, causing an infection called sepsis. Specific treatments for MRSA depend on the severity of the specific case as well as the parts of the body that are affected. The primary approach to treatment is antibiotic therapy, which works to eradicate the MRSA bacteria, with additional procedures indicated for certain symptoms.

General practitioners and family doctors can treat many cases, though they may refer you to a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in the skin, hair, and nails) or an infectious disease specialist if it's severe.

This article provides an overview of how MRSA is treated as well as how you can manage this condition.

Medications

Antibiotics are the standard treatment for bacterial infections. They work by interrupting processes that the bacteria need to survive, killing them directly and stopping them from reproducing and spreading. However, MRSA, by definition, is resistant to a class of antibiotics called beta-lactams. As a result, treatment involves the healthcare provider finding an antibiotic that can fight your infection.

If a MRSA infection is suspected, antibiotic therapy is immediately used, sometimes even before the case is confirmed. This is especially true if you're in the hospital with MRSA symptoms, as MRSA is incredibly contagious and can spread to other people in the hospital. How the drug is given depends on the severity and location of the infection. There are three primary approaches to antibiotic treatment for MRSA:

  • Oral antibiotics: Many MRSA cases are treated with antibiotics you take by mouth such as doxycycline, clindamycin, and sulfa. The specific length of treatment depends on the medication prescribed, with the typical course lasting 7 to 10 days. It's critical to follow your prescription closely, as improper use can cause the infection to come back. You need to take the entire course of antibiotics, even if it appears that your infection has gotten better.

  • Intravenous (IV) antibiotics: IV antibiotics are used in more severe cases that require going to a hospital or ER. They are delivered through a tube (known as a catheter) directly into the bloodstream. This treatment is continued until symptoms improve, and you may need to continue taking oral antibiotics afterward.

  • Combination therapy: Courses of both IV and oral antibiotics, or combination therapy, may be needed in severe cases. They're indicated if the infection has spread to the heart (causing what's known as endocarditis) or blood (sepsis).

Following this treatment, which is used until symptoms improve, you may need to continue taking antibiotics orally or via IV for up to eight weeks. Combination therapies (courses of both IV and oral antibiotics) may be necessary if your infection has spread to your heart or blood.

A variety of antibiotics are used to treat MRSA infection. Medications that are typically indicated for MRSA include:

  • Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole

  • Doxycycline

  • Minocycline

  • Clindamycin

  • Vancomycin

  • Daptomycin

  • Linezolid

  • Tedizolid

  • Rifampin

Throughout the course of treatment, you'll be tested for levels of MRSA bacteria and screened for symptoms or any adverse reactions to the medication. Based on these results, your dosage may be adjusted, or different antibiotics may be attempted. More severe cases may call for multiple or extended rounds of antibiotic therapy.

Surgery and Procedures

MRSA infection on the skin causes wounds and sores to form, and there can be fluid buildup around affected areas. Build up of this infected fluid, commonly called pus, can form a kind of boil known as an abscess. Your healthcare provider may need to drain abscesses to promote tissue healing. This may be the only treatment necessary in more minor cases, though you may be given antibiotics as well.

However, draining an abscess caused by MRSA is not something you should try on your own. If performed in unsanitary conditions, it can actually make the infection worse. If you have skin symptoms, keep any wounds or lesions covered with sterile bandages and follow your healthcare provider's instructions for management.

Decolonization Therapy

Especially if you work or spend much time in a hospital or clinical environment, you may become a carrier of MRSA in your nostrils and nasal passages. This is also called being "colonized." Carriers of the MRSA bacteria don't experience symptoms, but your risk of developing an infection or spreading the infection is higher. Decolonization involves taking steps to eradicate the bacteria and stop its spread as a preventive measure.

One such approach involves applying a prescribed nasal ointment, Centany (mupirocin), to the sinuses. In addition, Dexidine (chlorhexidine) soap is often used in clinical environments, and it's also available as a mouthwash, which can stop household or community spread.

Living With and Managing MRSA

A MRSA infection is challenging to manage and treat, and underlying health status can significantly impact how the infection affects you. The mortality of the condition—the rate at which it leads to death—ranges from five to 60% based on the site of infection and the presence of other conditions. However, early identification and prompt treatment can greatly improve outcomes.

Depending on the case, you may have to take long courses of antibiotics to manage the condition. It’s important to be aware of the side effects of these medications and to take them only as indicated. Also, be sure to keep any wounds closed and hands clean to prevent infection spread.

Following treatment, be sure to let your healthcare provider know if:

  • Your symptoms are getting worse

  • You experience new symptoms, such as pain or swelling, after treatment

  • Your infection isn’t improving or comes back

While there’s more work to be done, it’s important to note that newer therapies and diagnostic techniques are emerging for MRSA infection. Hopefully, the outlook will continue to improve for those with this condition.

A Quick Review

MRSA is an infection caused by a kind of bacteria that's resistant to certain antibiotics. It primarily affects the skin and can spread to the lungs, heart, or blood. MRSA causes fever, rashes, boils, and coughing, among other symptoms. It's primarily treated with antibiotics, though healthcare providers may also need to drain fluid from affected areas. It's critical to seek treatment because MRSA complications can become severe or fatal.

For more Health news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Health.