Highly feared bacterium!! :S

The term “MRSA”, short for Methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is an extremely tough bacterium to battle with. Why? It’s responsible for most difficult-to-treat-infections in humans. This is because, the strain is resistant to a large group of antibiotics known as Staphylococcus aureusbêta-lactams which includes widely commercialised antibiotics; penicillins and cephalosporins just to name a few. Due to its aptitude to develop resistance to a number of antibiotics, the term “superbug” is occasionally opted.


This bacterium is tightly subjected to hygiene level in the environment. It’s especially troublesome in hospital-associated (nosocomial) infections. There’s a greater risk of infection for patients with open wounds, invasive devices attached and weaker immune system as compared to the general public. Patients infected with MRSA are put into isolation until they are proven clear of the bacterium which could vary from weeks to even years. Hospital staffs must follow proper sanitary procedures to avoid transferring bacteria from one patient to another. Visitors to infected patients moreover, have to wear gowns, gloves and masks if indicated. Otherwise, they are competent to spread the bacteria to the cafeteria, elevators and other common areas. The population of highest contingency are prison inmates, cystic fibrosis patients as well as hospital patients and staffs. What appears to be a rash or spider bite might later develop into more painful skin infections, followed by headaches and fever. Therefore, it is important to get medical assistance immediately.


Though the use of disinfectants and antiseptics are practiced to clean surfaces, sterilize medical equipments and instruments and to decontaminate skin before surgery, the bacteria develop resistance to them. “Biocide”, which is the chemical that kills bacteria in disinfectants and antiseptics, are said to inadvertently assist in the spreading of the bacterium. Improper aseptic techniques, like using non-sterile gloves when palpating venipuncture sites of patients, put the attendants on high risk of infection. As a matter of fact, 58% of hospital workers are found to be colonised with MRSA.