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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
MRSA is the term often used for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is usually found on the skin and/or in the noses of healthy people. While normally harmless at these sites, it may get into the body via abrasions, cuts, wounds, surgical incisions or indwelling catheters. The infections may be mild (eg pimples or boils) but can be escalate to infection of the bloodstream, bones or joints. This web site carries information from worldwide sources about every aspect of this infection.
We put this info on our site because it's a serious problem. Especially for athletes.
One of our teammates has been taken out of training/racing for 2 months due to an infection that required surgery to remove the infection leaving a large hole in his leg. Other teammates have successfully treated their infections with oral antibiotics. But it's not just effecting racers or athletes. Even non-athletic people are getting these infections.
If you develop a red sore, or something that looks like a pimple or in-grown hair see your doctor immediately and talk to him/her about MRSA. If they don't know about MRSA, go to someone else - SERIOUSLY!. You may also get sick by having a fever, chills and overall weakness.
Here's some links that will help you learn more about it:
Medical Research
Mayo Clinic
Minnesota Department of Health
Texas Department of State Health Services
Related Stories
ABC News - "Athletes Vulnerable to Dangerous Staph Infection"
Triathlete Magazine - "Peter Reid checks in: Battling a bug" - search articles for "battling"
Buzzle.com - "The newest threat to athletes"
The doctors that have successfully treated our teammates and friends that have gotten MRSA have recommended the following:
Oral anti-biotic - "Septra" seems to be the only one that works
Nasal swabbing with Bactraban
Daily washing with Hibiclens (chlorhexidine gluconate) - available at Walgreens
Seriously, if you get a red sore that maybe looks like a boil or even spider bite see your doctor immediately.
But be informed and aware. Here's why....
A friend of ours had some road rash from a bike crash that got infected. He let it go for a couple days not sure what it was. After suffering from a fever, chills, and serious swelling, redness and pain from the infected area he went to a local ER.
They gave him some antibiotics and strong pain medicine. Sounds good right? Wrong! They didn't check him for MRSA and gave an insufficient antibiotic.
The next day, his fever was worse and the pain was worse too. He went to a different ER the next day and was immediately admitted so he could receive antibiotics through an IV and proper care.
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