Staph infections are a problem, but one in particular presents major issues. That one is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus, sometimes called multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is usually known by its acronym, MRSA.
One of the so-called “superbugs,” MRSA is resistant to standard antibiotics. It is becoming more common, and infections have shown up in locker rooms, nursing homes, gyms, schools, subways, airports and more. MRSA is a tough bug to kill, and the infection can escalate into life-threatening complications, attacking major organs, joints and the bloodstream.
MRSA infections are particularly dangerous in hospitals, where many patients have open wounds and highly fragile immune systems.
While MRSA is a real danger, even regular staph germs can escalate into life-threatening problems. Most staph-infected wounds are caused by bacteria found:
· On the skin
· On other parts of the body
· In the outside environment
When a wound breaks the skin and ruptures the protective barrier, it allows the bacteria to colonize the interior. This causes inflammation, which delays healing and may further damage the tissue, and extreme pain, swelling, redness, pus discharge and sometimes a foul odor. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacteria found in wound infection.