MRSAis an acronym for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus(and is sometimes referred to asMERSA), and it is anantibiotic resistant Superbug bacteriathat grows in clusters, multiplies very rapidly and can cause many different kinds ofinfection, ranging from simple skin infections (boils, furuncles) to septicemia (infection of the bloodstream) and toxic shock syndrome, and is spreading rapidly in the United States and worldwide.
Photo of MRSA cluster by Dennis Kunkel Microscopy.
Who can get MRSA?
Studies approximate that 30-50 % of the population carry colonies of Staphylococcus aureus on their bodies all of the time. Those most susceptible to becoming sick from it are children, the elderly and others with reduced immune system function from diseases such as diabetes and HIV. MRSA used to be a bacteria that was only found in hospital settings (HA-MRSA), but in recent years, MRSA has attacked healthy people who have contracted it within their communities (CA-MRSA). MRSA grows very rapidly in warm, moist areas, and is often seen in athletes and gyms.
Keep up with the latest news about the spread of MRSA in the United States (as well as website updates and events) at MRSA Notes!
What do I do if I think I have MRSA?
First, get to a doctor, preferably one that specializes in Infectious Diseases. If you aren't comfortable with what he or she tells you, get to another one-but do it quickly. MRSA can multiply at an astounding rate, and invade your body quickly. Second, come back here and learn all you can about MRSA, participate in the MRSA community, ask questions in the forum and join our MRSA chat on every Thursday night at 10pm Eastern time. Third, be positive, have a good attitude and take good care of yourself so that your body can do what it needs to do to fight the infection. You CAN fight this infection, but an early diagnosis will be very helpful.
Good hygiene is your best defense against MRSA. Wash your hands often, especially after being in contact with other people. Help the efforts to prevent antibiotic resistant bacteria by only using antibiotics when medically necessary, and by completing your whole course of treatment.
Who is MRSA Resources?
We are Christina Jones, from Texas, and Denise Rauff/The Hands of Hope Group, Inc. from New York, and are actively maintaining this web site for victims of MRSA infections - Education, Awareness and Support. This highly infectious bacteria has touched both of our lives deeply and personally (see About Us), and from the experiences we have had, we have been driven to help other people through their tragedies, and with any luck, help prevent future ones through education and emotional support. Our Contact Info is here, please feel free to contact us anytime!
See photos from the Hands of Hope Group documentary,
We support these groups in their missions to reduce MRSA infection rates, and hope you will as well:
The Hands of Hope Group, The Association to Defend Victims of Nosocomial Infection (ADVIN) (CA), The Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths (RID)(USA), MRSASupport (UK) , MRSA Action UK
DISCLAIMER: This group is made up of normal people. While some of us may be in the medical profession, we advise you to see your physician if you think you may have any illness or infection. If you choose to use any information on these pages, DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK. No clinical decisions should be made solely by the information contained herein. We try to provide quality information, but cannot make claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of any information contained in or linked to this website and its associated sites.
