Double Trouble - 2 Types of MRSA

MRSA, it’s one of the most common superbugs - a staph infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Making it a bigger challenge: MRSA has two faces.

“It’s now divided as community-acquired MRSA and hospital-acquired MRSA. These are two different organisms. Genetically, the hospital-acquired MRSA has a different resistance pattern as well as different genetic pattern,” says Dr. Pranav Shah, who is an infectious disease specialist with Lee Memorial Health System.

Typically associated with invasive procedures or devices, hospital acquired MRSA is considered the bigger hazard.

“The hospital-acquired MRSA is a more virulent strain. And it gives infection like pneumonia or heart infection or a blood stream infection,” says Dr. Shah.

Community-based MRSA is a breed apart. It’s the germ we hear about on everything from door handles, gym lockers and airplane seats. Increased vigilance in hospital is lowering MRSA rates there, but in the community, it’s still a touchy subject.

“Anywhere there is contact, that’s where MRSA happens,” says Dr. Shah.

Now it seems these two worlds are colliding. Doctors find this superbug is doing a double take. Both forms of infection are showing up in the other’s turf.

“It’s not as exclusive anymore. So you could have the same community-acquired MRSA strain giving you infection to lead up to the hospital whereas the hospital strain, you can find it in the community as well,” says Dr. Shah.

One thing is clear-cut: prevention is the best form of treatment.

“Hand washing, hand washing, hand washing. That’s all, that’s the best way of preventing you from getting MRSA infection,” says Dr. Shah.

These germs are always around us or on us, and infection doesn’t necessarily follow. But clean living can help you avoid double trouble.


View More Health Matters video segments at leememorial.org/healthmatters/

Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

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#MRSA #2_types_of_MRSA #superbug #staph_infection #resistant_to_antibiotics #community-acquired_MRSA #hospital-acquired_MRSA #hospital #hand_washing #germs_on_door-handles

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