MRSA - Shortness of Breath

One of the symptoms of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is shortness of breath. This is usually not the first symptom of the infection though. Shortness of breath can occur when the MRSA infection was not treated or unsuccessfully treated and it spread to other parts of the body. Shortness of breath is not just a sign that the infection has traveled to the lungs; it can also mean that the infection of this superbug is in the heart.

Causes of shortness of breath

There are other causes of shortness of breath, other than a MRSA infection. These are some of those causes of shortness of breath:

• Anxiety
• Lung disease
• Heart disease
• Asthma
• Kidney disease
• Pregnancy
• Smoking
• Chest disease
• Airflow obstruction
• Diabetes

Shortness of breath can also be an allergic reaction to a medication, environmental factor, insect bite, etc. Only a healthcare professional can determine the true cause of shortness of breath. It can be a serious symptom and healthcare should be sought immediately.

When MRSA is the cause of shortness of breath, it can be due to the infection spreading. Even if you are in treatment for MRSA, you will want to make sure that you communicate any new symptoms or reactions from medication to your healthcare professional.

MRSA symptom - shortness of breath

Some of the MRSA symptoms, like an infected spot on the skin, are early symptoms of MRSA and can be easily treated. Some symptoms of MRSA are signs that the infection has become more serious. In addition to shortness of breath, symptoms that the infection may become life threatening and has spread to other organs include the following:

• Fever
• Chills
• Low blood pressure
• Joint pain
• Headaches
• Large rash

When these symptoms occur with a skin infection, abscess, or other infection that could be a sign that MRSA accompanies the above symptoms, it is important to be tested for MRSA when the symptom of shortness of breath is being treated.

Causes of shortness of breath with MRSA

The cause of shortness of breath for those who are suffering from MRSA can include the following:

• Staphylococcal pneumonia - this is when a MRSA abscess forms in the lungs, there maybe an underlying lung disease
• Endocarditis - this is when there is a MRSA infection of the heart valves, it can lead to heart failure
• Osteomyelitis - this is a MRSA infection of the bones that causes severe inflammation
• Staphylococcal sepsis - this is a widespread MRSA infection in the bloodstream that can lead to shock, circulatory collapse and death

Hospitalization and any illness or treatment that lowers immunity can increase the risk of acquiring MRSA from an institution or in the community. It can also cause an increase risk of the infection spreading and cause shortness of breath after the infection is acquired.

Treatment for shortness of breath from MRSA

A healthcare professional will need to determine the cause of shortness of breath to be able to treat it. If the MRSA infection has spread, the new infection will need to be treated in addition to the symptoms, like shortness of breath. A change in antibiotics may be needed. When the symptoms orinfection are severe then hospitalization may be necessary to treat shortness of breath.

Proper diagnosis, by a healthcare professional, is needed to determine the cause of shortness of breath from MRSA or any other illness before the appropriate and successful treatment.

MRSA Symptoms

What are some of the MRSA Symptoms?