MRSA Infection (cont.)
How is MRSA infection transmitted?
There are two major ways people become infected with MRSA. The first is
physical contact with someone who is either infected or is a carrier (people who
are not infected but are colonized with the bacteria on their body) of MRSA. The
second way is for people to physically contact MRSA on any objects such as door
handles, floors, sinks, or towels that have been touched by an MRSA-infected person
or carrier. Normal skin tissue in people usually does not allow MRSA infection
to develop; however, if there are cuts, abrasions, or other skin flaws such as
psoriasis (a chronic skin disease with dry patches, redness, and scaly skin), MRSA
may proliferate. Many otherwise healthy individuals, especially children and
young adults, do not notice small skin imperfections or scrapes and may be lax
in taking precautions about skin contacts. This is the likely reason MRSA
outbreaks occur in diverse types of people such as school team players (like
football players or wrestlers), dormitory residents, and armed-services
personnel in constant close contact.
People with higher risk of MRSA infection are those with obvious skin breaks (for example, patients with surgical or traumatic wounds or hospital patients with intravenous lines, burns, or skin ulcers) and people with depressed immune systems (infants, the elderly, or HIV-infected individuals) or those with chronic diseases (diabetes or cancer). People with pneumonia (lung infection) due to MRSA can transmit MRSA by airborne droplets. Health-care workers as a group are repeatedly exposed to MRSA-positive patients and can have a high rate of infection if precautions are not taken. Consequently, health-care workers and patient visitors should use disposable masks, gowns, and gloves when they enter the MRSA-infected patient's room.
Next: How is MRSA diagnosed? »
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