A recent development in the past few years in medical practice has been the development of methicillin resistant staph aureus (MRSA) infections. MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems.
MRSA infections that are acquired by persons who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are known as community acquired CA-MRSA infections. Because the carrier rate of MRSA has increased in our population, MRSA infections are much more common now. CA-MRSA infections are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people. More serious infections of the blood, brain and bone can also happen with MRSA. Should your child come down with a boil or an abscess, call the office for an appointment. Antibiotics and incision and drainage of the abscess may be necessary.