MRSA is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and health care facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems.
My father in law became [link|http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/955139831.html|colonized] with MRSA very shortly after receiving a tracheostomy at a local hospital.
Does everyone who is exposed to MRSA become infected?
No. Some individuals who are exposed to MRSA become "colonized" which means that the bacteria are present, growing and multiply without observable signs of disease. MRSA colonization occurs on the skin surface, in the nasal passage, in the sputum or in the urine. Other individuals who are exposed to MRSA never become colonized. MRSA colonization may precede or lead to infection in persons with weakened immune systems. However, persons who get MRSA infections are usually already very ill from other medical conditions.
Apparently, it's quite common for even healthy people to be colonized with MRSA. The problem is, if an elderly person becomes colonized with it, then very few nursing homes will accept them as a patient - even for temporary rehabilitation stays. And those that will accept a patient with MRSA often are the ones that provide the lowest quality care. :-(
Combating MRSA (aka the "superbug") seems to get much more press in the UK than in the USA. It's been a [link|http://society.guardian.co.uk/mrsa/story/0,15825,1548847,00.html|political issue there] as well.
From what I saw in my frequent visits to see my FIL at the hospital, I think infections like MRSA will be with us for a long time. Too many of the staff are too cavalier about cleanliness procedures - e.g. I don't think that the equipment or oxygen/vacuum valves on the walls was ever cleaned even though they pick up stuff from contaminated gloves... They go through the motions of requiring visitors to wear gowns and gloves, but then don't think about how they can transfer infectious agents themselves. Just as a single person can cause a huge traffic backup, it only takes one person who isn't careful to spread infection through a hospital (or several, if it's a physician making rounds). And there's the cleaning, laundry, food delivery staff to consider too...
We probably need hospitals with voice-activated equipment so that pathogens cannot easily be transferred by contact. But I don't think we'll have antigravity beds and magical fabrics and other materials that eliminate patient contact any time soon. :-( (There's a huge need for things like this, but it would bankrupt the country before the benefits began to pay off.)
My feeling is that one should always avoid hospitals whenever possible. People who say that one goes to a hospital to die are unfortunately too often right. :-(
Cheers,
Scott.