Military Officer - March 2009 - (Page 50) askthedoctor MRSA Infection Perhaps you’ve heard about MRSA infecting children at a day care, residents of a nursing home, or members of a sports team. Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, D.O., explains what it’s all about. B More Widespread Than You Thought I About 12 million health care visits each year are prompted by staph infections; about half of these are infections caused by MRSA organisms. acteria are everywhere — in our environment and our bodies. Most bacteria have little effect on us, and some even are helpful (such as in the digestive tract); a few are harmful, causing infection and disease. Fortunately, most bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. However, over time, bacteria can adapt to antibiotics; their cellular and chemical processes can change so antibiotics have less effect. Staphylococcus aureus has been a common bacterium for decades. It frequently colonizes the skin, nose, and other parts of the body and only sometimes causes illness. For years, infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus could be treated easily with penicillin-related drugs such as methicillin or oxacillin. However, over time, some organisms developed resistance to penicillin-based antibiotics. In the U.S., these resistant organisms first were identified in 1968. They are called MRSA, for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. These infections can be treated successfully with other classes of antibiotics. Today, MRSA infections are fairly common community-acquired infections. They can spread from person to person and also can be acquired from environmental surfaces that have been contaminated. The pus and general area of infected skin teem with bacteria and spread infection. MRSA infections usually are limited to the skin — a patient might have a red, swollen, often pus-filled sore that could look like an insect bite. The pimple-like lesion might be in an area with a small cut or with hair follicles (such as the groin, buttock, or armpit). A MRSA sore can be painful, and a patient might have a fever. Occasionally, MRSA infections become more severe. This is very rare in otherwise healthy people; it usually occurs to those who have other diseases or generally fragile health. Pneumonia, septicemia, bone infections, and other problems can occur. If you think you have a MRSA infection, see your health care provider for accurate diagnosis. Treatment often includes lancing a lesion to remove pus. Antibiotics might be prescribed. It is critical to keep a wound caused by a MRSA infection covered with a light, dry dressing to avoid transmitting infection to others. Impeccable personal hygiene also is essential. Hand washing is a must after touching a MRSA wound or dressing, after going to the restroom, before eating, before and after athletic activities, and at other times throughout the day. Even if you don’t have a MRSA infection, remember that many organisms are spread by skin-to-skin (and skin-to-environmentto-skin) contact. Make good hygienic practices a routine part of your life to prevent MRSA and other infections and to maintain good health. MO — Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, USPHS-Ret., D.O., M.A., is vice president, Health Sciences, Battelle Memorial Institute, Arlington, Va. Find more health and wellness resources at www .moaa.org/wellness. For submission information, see page 18. PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT 50 MILITARY OFFICER MARCH 2009 http://www.moaa.org/wellness http://www.moaa.org/wellness
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.