Areas that have been cut, scratched, or rubbed are also vulnerable to infection because your biggest barrier to germs — your skin — has been damaged.
The infection usually causes a swollen, painful bump to form on the skin. The bump may resemble a spider bite or pimple. It often has a yellow or white center and a central head. Sometimes an infected area is surrounded by an area of redness and warmth, known as cellulitis. Pus and other fluids may drain from the affected area. Some people also experience a fever. Diagnosis begins with a medical history assessment and physical examination.
Samples will also be taken from the site of infection. The types of samples obtained to help diagnose MRSA include the following:. Wound samples are obtained with a sterile cotton swab and placed in a container. Sputum is the substance that comes up from the respiratory tract during coughing.
A sputum culture analyzes the sputum for the presence of bacteria, cell fragments, blood , or pus. People who can cough can usually provide a sputum sample easily. Those who are unable to cough or who are on ventilators may need to undergo a respiratory lavage or bronchoscopy to obtain a sputum sample.
Respiratory lavage and bronchoscopy involve the use of a bronchoscope, which is a thin tube with a camera attached. Under controlled conditions, the doctor inserts the bronchoscope through the mouth and into your lungs. The bronchoscope allows the doctor to see the lungs clearly and to collect a sputum sample for testing. To do this, urine is collected in a sterile cup during urination. The cup is then given to the doctor, who sends it to a lab for analysis.
Sometimes, urine must be collected directly from the bladder. People with staph infections who prepare food for others can pass on the infection through improper food handling.
Food handlers with skin staph infections should therefore avoid handling food until a doctor determines their infection is no longer active. Some people are at greater risk of developing staph infections. This includes those who:. Staph bacterium is alive and contagious when present on the skin.
On objects or materials, it can survive for 24 hours or longer. Therefore, to protect others, it is crucial to cover sores or lesions. People should also wash their hands thoroughly and regularly and avoid close physical contact with others. Staph infections on the skin may initially appear like a bump or pimple but can quickly grow. They may cause :. Learn about the symptoms of MRSA staph, which is resistant to some antibiotics. Additionally, do not pop a sore that looks like this, as it can worsen the infection.
It can be difficult to tell if a bump is a staph infection, so consult with a doctor if a person has these symptoms. Staph infections travel easily from one person to another on objects or through skin-to-skin contact. However, there are some ways to help minimize the chances of spreading a staph infection, including the below. If someone in the household has a staph infection, everyone in the home needs to practice good hygiene. This may include taking the below steps.
Dogs can pass a staph infection to humans through contact with a wound or dog bite. This includes people with: serious health problems long-term skin conditions, such as eczema open wounds Read more about the people most at risk from MRSA infection. How is MRSA spread? Read more about how MRSA is spread.
How to stop visitors catching MRSA Visitors can reduce the risk of catching MRSA from a hospital patient they are visiting and the other way around by: cleaning their hands just before and just after touching the patient cleaning their hands before entering and after leaving the ward Remind your visitors to clean their hands with soap and water or alcohol gel.
Read more about preventing the spread of MRSA. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA infection is caused by a type of staph bacteria that's become resistant to many of the antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections. Staph infection Open pop-up dialog box Close.
Staph infection MRSA infections start out as small red bumps that can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Accessed Nov. Mayo Clinic; Elsevier Point of Care. Elsevier;
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