MRSA – Who Typically Gets It?

MRSA is a scary bacteria that has been getting more media attention the last few years. It is essentially a bacteria that is resistant to the methicillin antibiotics. Roughly 19,000 people die each year from the infection. So, who typically gets it?

Who is infected by MRSA is a far trickier question than you might imagine. Why? Well, the question of who "has" it is a bit murky as well as what it is. Technically, approximately 30 percent of everyone has staph bacteria. Typically, a colony exists in your nose. Yes, it colonizes there. It is not, however, deadly in this form. Instead, it usually causes pimples or boils and can be treated easily. It is, however, easily transferred when you sneeze.

A more aggressive strain of staph bacteria has been generated over the years. This is known as MRSA which stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Now you know why the abbreviation is used! Regardless, this strain is resistant to certain antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin and oxacillin. In short, most of the common antibiotics. As a result, MRSA can lead to major skin problems and death.

Given the scary nature of MRSA, one really doesn't want to get it. The good/bad news is the most common outbreaks occur in hospitals and healthcare facilities. On the good side, you are probably going to be okay if you stay out of them. On the bad side, you have an extra worry if you are ever hospitalized. The reason appears to be that those with impaired immune systems are most at risk.

MRSA outbreaks in hospitals are not a good sign. One goes to a hospital to get better, not sick. MRSA, unfortunately, appears to be making a move towards a wider audience. We are now seeing outbreaks of what is known as community MRSA.

Recently, there has been an alarming increase in MRSA outbreaks in areas other than healthcare facilities. These have included areas such as gyms where bacteria flourish. Regardless, the question was and is how MRSA manifested in these areas where otherwise health people gather.

The sad fact is there is a lot of hypotheticals and opinions, but no concrete evidence. The belief is the bacteria is easily transferable and effects people with reduced immune systems that are not aware of it yet. This is true for sports that even have little skin to skin contact such as fencing.

Who gets MRSA? Well, it is usually someone in a healthcare facility such as a hospital. The potential expansion to sports facilities is a troubling development, so keep an eye out on the news for future developments.

John Grimes writes about the staph superbug for AllTerrainco.com - makers of Hand Sanz which kills MRSA.