MRSA Superbug Diagnosing

When a healthcare professional sees symptoms of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection or has a patient that has been exposed to MRSA, he or she will need to test the patient for MRSA. diagnosing is done by finding out what type of infection the patient has. Once a successful diagnosis occurs it will be important to treat the infection and prevent the spread of MRSA by using universal protection (covering exposed areas, washing, sanitizing, etc.) whenever someone comes in contact with the person to visit or to provide medical services.

Diagnosing MRSA Symptoms

When there are symptoms of MRSA, it will be used along with other tests to determine if it is MRSA and what kind it is. The symptoms of MRSA will include typical infection symptoms like the following:

• Flu like symptoms (fever, chills, etc.)
• Low blood pressure
• Small red, pimple-like bumps
• Fast developing abscesses
• Deep painful abscesses
• Infected wound
• Infection in joints, bones, surgical wounds, heart valves, blood, or lungs

Diagnosing MRSA With Tests

A MRSA infection may resemble other types of infections so tests must be done to determine the type of infection to be able to treat the infection effectively and promptly. Swabbing the infection, taking tissue samples, taking a small biopsy, doing a blood and or urine test, and taking nasal secretion samples are ways that a doctor will test for MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). The sample or swab will be sent to a lab where they will encourage the growth of the bacteria. In 48 hours, a doctor will know the results of testing. At that time a diagnosis of MRSA will be made. Newer tests can give faster results (within two hours) by detecting staph infection DNA. The newer test is becoming more common. At one time it was only used for those who were severely ill and needed an immediate diagnosis. It cannot be used to monitor the infection, just for initial diagnosis.

Accurate diagnosis of MRSA is important because it will help determine the type of antibiotics that will be needed to treat the infection. Often while waiting for test results, a broad spectrum antibiotic will be used to keep the infection at bay until it can be successfully treated with the correct antibiotic. When MRSA is suspected, often proper protection of visitors and health care workers is recommended to avoid the possible spread of the infection.

After a MRSA diagnosis, it will be important that the person who has MRSA not only treats the infected area, but also properly cleans and covers any abrasions, cuts, or pricks that can allow the MRSA infection to enter the body. Showering and using an anti-bacterial soap after a workout will reduce the risk of acquiring this serious infection. It is important to prevent the spread of MRSA because when it is not diagnosed, MRSA can have serious side effects like infecting the heart valves (endocarditis), infecting the blood (sepsis), infecting the connective tissue (necrotizing fasciitis), infecting the bone (osteomyelitis), and even death.

A MRSA diagnosis can be done simply with a test and should be done whenever MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is suspected.

MRSA Infection

Learn the MRSA Infection.