MRSA Infection Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

MRSA Infection - Research Paper Example Antibiotics used to treat ordinary S. aureus infections are rendered useless in case of MRSA. Infection occurring in healthcare settings is called health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) while that occurring in the community, among healthy individuals, is called community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) (mayoclinic.org 1). HA-MRSA infections are generally acquired through invasive procedures or clinical devices such as artificial joints, surgeries, intravenous tubings, and catheters while CA-MRSA generally spreads through skin contact among child care workers, high school wrestlers and people living in crowded areas (mayoclinic.org 1). MRSA infection occurs in various parts of the body and owing to its antibiotic resistance, it is difficult to treat. Mild infections result in boils and sores on the skin. MRSA can also infect lungs, urinary tract, and bloodstream (webmd.com 1). There has been an alarming spread in the incidence of tough MRSA strains and because of its antibiotic resistance, MRSA is also called superbug (webmd.com 1). As per CDC, less than 2% of the US population carries MRSA (mayoclinic.org 3). MRSA was discovered in 1961 and research has shown that, like ordinary strains of S. aureus, it is also carried by many healthy people on their bodies, especially their noses (Matheson et al. 299). MRSA infection is common among those with a weaker immune system and while it is commonly a hospital-acquired the infection, its incidence in people who have not been hospitalized has become recently significant (webmd.com 1).