MRSA may invade the blood and cause potentially serious complications such as bacteremia, septic shock, and serious metastatic infections (endocarditis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, and arthritis). In more vulnerable people, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria have been known to cause boils, abscesses, impetigo, septic wounds, heart-valve problems and toxic shock syndrome. In extreme cases, it can result in death.

MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusis) is a form of bacteria carried on human skin. Once seen only in hospitals and healthcare facilities, staph infections have been present in the general population for more than 15 years.

Additional information is available through the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_public.html

MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's infection (e.g., towels, used bandages).

MRSA can be carried on the skin or in the nose without causing any disease, which is called colonization . Approximately 25-30% of the population is colonized in the nose with staph bacteria at any given time; however, the proportion colonized with MRSA is not known. The exact number of new cases of MRSA infections in Oregon is unknown but the number of cases of MRSA in general is increasing.

Symptoms of MRSA infection are, for the most part, not different from any other staph infection. MRSA may manifest as red, swollen, tender skin surrounding a cut or in the form of a large pimple (boil) and may include drainage of thick white pus. In more serious cases, the infection may cause difficulty breathing, fever and excessive tiredness. If a child develops these symptoms, a parent should contact a doctor.

Colonization of the skin or nose usually is not a reason for antibiotic treatment except in special circumstances. Small, localized skin pimples or boils may improve without use of antibiotics. When antibiotics are required, there are usually only a few from which to choose. MRSA bacteria are resistant to penicillin and all penicillin-like drugs. Most hospital-acquired MRSA are also resistant to numerous other antibiotics.

The Oregon DHS Public Health Division offers this Website: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/acd/diseases/mrsa/mrsa.shtml and The Massachusetts Department of Public Health offers this Website: http://www.mass.gov/dph/cdc/antibiotic/mrsa_helpful_reminders.pdf