Joint Pain and MRSA
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) A strain of bacteria that is not treatable with many lines of antibiotics. It can be acquired in an institution or in the community through direct or indirect contact. One of the symptoms of MRSA is joint pain, but it will not be the only symptom, though. When joint pain occurs with a MRSA infection it is because the infection has progressed. Sometimes this is from not being properly diagnosed, not being treated, or being treated ineffectively. With proper treatment and preventive measures, MRSA can be treated effectively with antibiotics and the joint pain that may accompany the infection.
JOINT PAIN SYMPTOMS AND MRSA INFECTIONS
There are other conditions that can cause joint pain, a health care professional can determine what the true cause of the pain is. The causes can be from something minor or something serious, it can be a common cause or an uncommon cause. Other symptoms that are being experienced with joint pain will help with diagnosing the cause of it. In addition to a MRSA infection, these conditions can cause joint pain:
- Injury
- Lupus
- Cancer
- Gout
- Fibromyalgia
- Lyme disease
- Arthritis
- Rickets
- Osteoporosis
- Dislocation
- Hemochromatosis
- Sarcoidosis
When MRSA is responsible for joint pain, it will need to be treated immediately and often times aggressively. To avoid this, a MRSA infection should be diagnosed early and be treated.
JOINT PAIN FROM MRSA INFECTION
When early signs of MRSA are ignored, it can enter the blood stream and septic arthritis can occur. One of the side affects of arthritis medications is a lowered immune system, so people with arthritis are more susceptible to getting MRSA and related joint pain. MRSA infections usually target the knee joints, but can also affect other joints like the following:
- Ankle joints
- Hips joints
- Shoulder joint
- Wrist joints
- Finger joints
Joint pain from MRSA usually means that the infection has spread. MRSA usually affects the skin and can be stopped there before it enters the blood stream. Sometimes what feels like joint pain, is actually bone pain from MRSA, when the infection spreads to the bones. It is an important symptom that your doctor will need to know about when getting treated.
PREVENTING JOINT PAIN FROM MRSA
To prevent joint pain from MRSA, you will need to treat MRSA as soon as symptoms on the skin occur and prevent it from spreading further on the body. Ideally, you should take measures to prevent the exposure to MRSA in institutions like hospitals and also in the community. You can also keep your immune system strong to prevent infection from occurring.
TREATING JOINT PAIN FROM MRSA
When MRSA infection is treated, the source of the joint pain will be treated. Until the pain goes away, you can treat it with over-the-counter pain relievers or pain relievers from your doctor. Always consult with a health care professional to find out what is safe to take with the medications that are prescribed to treat MRSA. The immune system should be built up with proper nutrition, adequate rest, and regular exercise. Supplementing the diet can also help the immune system.
Joint pain is only one symptom of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Being familiar with other symptoms of MRSA will help you to recognize it early so you can avoid it spreading and causing joint pain.
MRSA Superbug History
Learn the MRSA Superbug History.