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What Is MSSA?
Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD
MSSA is an infection caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The bacteria live on the skin and inside the noses of some people, usually without causing harm. But when the bacteria enter the body through cuts, scrapes, or other open wounds on the skin, an infection can develop. Commonly known as a staph infection, skin infected by MSSA may become red, swollen, and warm. If the bacteria enter the bloodstream, any part of the body can become infected, including bones and vital organs.
There are two types of staph aureus infections: MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and MSSA. MRSA refers to infections caused by strains of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that are resistant to certain antibiotics and difficult to treat. MSSA, on the other hand, is more easily treatable with antibiotics.
This article covers what you should know about MSSA, including types of infections, their symptoms and causes, and how to treat and prevent MSSA infections.
Types of MSSA InfectionsMSSA can cause infections in many parts of your body, including:
Skin infection: Bacteria can enter the body through a cut, scrape, or other open wound on the skin, leading to an infection that affects the surface or deeper layers of the skin.
Bone infection: A bone infection, known as osteomyelitis, occurs when bacteria reach the bones through the bloodstream or nearby infected tissue.
Heart infection: Infection of the heart (endocarditis) occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and attach to the inner lining and valves of the heart
Pneumonia: When MSSA bacteria enter the lungs, pneumonia can develop.
Food poisoning: Eating food contaminated with MSSA can lead to food poisoning, usually within a few hours after consumption.
Mastitis: Bacteria can enter the breasts through cracked or injured nipples, causing mastitis in chestfeeding parents.
MSSA can cause many symptoms, depending on where the infection develops. Symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe.
Skin Infection SymptomsSkin infections are the most common type of MMSA infection and can cause symptoms such as:
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Bone Infection (Osteomyelitis) SymptomsWhen MSSA infects the bones, it is called osteomyelitis. Symptoms may include:
Bone pain or pain at the site of infection
Swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected area
Fever
Excessive sweating
Fever
Malaise (general discomfort)
MSSA-related endocarditis occurs when bacteria infect the inner lining of the heart or heart valves, causing symptoms such as:
Fever and chills
Fatigue and weakness
Muscle and joint pain
Cough
Night sweats
Broken blood vessels on the skin
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Shortness of breath
When MSSA infects the lungs (pneumonia), it can lead to symptoms such as:
High fever
Chills
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Persistent cough
Eating food contaminated with MSSA can cause food poisoning. Symptoms develop within 30 minutes to 8 hours after eating contaminated items and may include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal cramping
Chestfeeding parents with mastitis may experience the following symptoms:
Breast pain, redness, and swelling
Warmth and tenderness in the affected breast
Fever and chills
About 1 in 3 people have Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria on their skin or inside their nasal passages. The bacteria can spread to others through skin-to-skin contact (e.G., shaking hands) or by touching objects contaminated with staph, such as door handles, towels, clothing, bed linens, and athletic equipment. Improper preparation and handling of foods by a person with staph can also spread the bacteria.
Most of the time, the bacteria don't cause problems. But if the bacteria enters the body through an open wound on the skin, an MSSA infection can develop. While skin infections are the most common type of MSSA infection, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream, causing severe illness.
Risk FactorsMSSA can affect people of all ages. Certain risk factors can increase your chances of developing an infection:
Open wounds, burns, or sores on the skin
Chronic health conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, eczema, and lung diseases
A weakened immune system due to chemotherapy, HIV, or taking medicines that suppress the immune system (e.G., corticosteroids)
Hospital stays or having surgery
Injecting illicit drugs
Participating in contact sports (e.G., wrestling)
Sharing personal items, such as towels, razors, athletic equipment, or clothing
Unhygienic food preparation practices (e.G., not washing hands)
Having a medical device, such as a pacemaker, artificial heart valves, or artificial joints
To diagnose MSSA, your healthcare provider will begin by reviewing your medical history and asking about your symptoms. They will examine your skin to check for classic signs of infection, including redness, swelling, and a pus-filled bump on the skin.
A skin culture test can help identify the type of bacteria causing the infection and confirm the diagnosis. For this test, your healthcare provider will swab the affected area or take a sample of fluid (pus) from the bump or boil and send the sample to the lab for analysis.
If your healthcare provider suspects you have MSSA in a different part of your body, they may order additional diagnostic tests, such as:
Blood culture: A blood sample is sent to the lab to confirm the presence of MSSA in the bloodstream. This test can also help determine which antibiotic will most effectively clear the infection.
Imaging scans: X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs help visualize tissues and structures inside the body and assess whether the infection has reached the bones or organs.
Bone biopsy: If the infection has reached your bones, a small sample (biopsy) of bone tissue may be removed to confirm MSSA infection and help guide treatment decisions.
Stool sample: In cases of food poisoning, you may need to provide a stool sample, which is sent to the laboratory to confirm MSSA is causing your symptoms.
MSSA treatments eliminate or stop the growth of MSSA bacteria to cure the infection and prevent complications. Treatment options for MSSA vary, depending on the location and severity of the infection.
AntibioticsAntibiotics are the first-line treatment for MSSA. These medicines help kill the bacteria or prevent them from growing and spreading. Diagnostic test results and other factors can be used to determine which antibiotic most effectively treats the infection.
MSSA skin infections may be treated with topical antibiotic ointment applied to the affected area or oral antibiotic therapy. MSSA infections that have spread beyond the skin and into the bloodstream may require oral (taken by mouth) or intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Antibiotics commonly prescribed to treat MSSA include:
Dicloxacillin
Erythromycin
Nafcillin
Clindamycin
Follow your healthcare provider's guidance and complete the entire course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better before you've finished your prescription. This helps ensure treatment is effective and prevents repeated infections.
Related: When Would You Need Antibiotics?
Incision & DrainageFor skin infections that have reached deeper layers of the skin, healthcare providers may make a small incision on the wound or affected area to drain fluid and remove infected tissue. You will still require antibiotics to ensure the infection clears.
SurgeryBone infections may require surgery to clear the infection and remove dead bone in the affected area. In some cases, removing medical devices (e.G., artificial heart valves) may be required to treat the infection and prevent recurrences.
PreventionPreventative measures can lower your risk of a staph infection or prevent spreading it to others. To prevent MSSA, you can:
Practice good hygiene, including regular handwashing with soap and water
Clean cuts, scrapes, and wounds on the skin and cover with bandages
Avoid sharing towels, bedding, clothing, and athletic equipment with someone with a staph infection
Do not prepare or touch food for others if you have a staph infection
If left untreated, MSSA infections can cause serious illness and become life-threatening. See a healthcare provider if you suspect you or a loved one have an MSSA infection. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help lower your risk of complications.
Possible complications of MSSA include:
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS): A rare but serious infection that can develop suddenly when MSSA enters the bloodstream and produces toxins. Though commonly associated with tampon use, TSS can occur due to burns, skin infections, or after surgery, affecting people of all genders and ages.
Sepsis: MSSA bacteria entering the bloodstream can lead to sepsis—a life-threatening condition caused by the body's extreme reaction to an infection.
MSSA, or methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, is a bacterial infection that develops when bacteria enter the body through a cut or wound on the skin. MSSA commonly causes skin infections but can infect the bones, heart, lungs, and other body parts if it enters the bloodstream.
Antibiotics effectively treat most MSSA infections and may be applied topically to treat skin infections. Oral or intravenous (IV) antibiotics are prescribed to treat MSSA infections that affect internal organs or bones. Regular handwashing, covering skin wounds, and avoiding sharing personal items (e.G., towels, razors) can help prevent MSSA.
MSSA is treatable, and most people recover with appropriate treatment. Talk to a healthcare provider if you suspect you have an MSSA infection. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications.
Frequently Asked QuestionsDo I need to quarantine if I have MSSA?
Generally, having MSSA does not require you to quarantine. However, MSSA is highly contagious and can spread easily through direct contact with an infected person or by sharing personal items, such as towels or bed linens. Wash your hands regularly and cover the affected area to prevent spreading it to others.
Can an MSSA infection come back?
Yes, MSSA infections can come back, especially if the initial infection wasn't treated effectively or if you're exposed to the bacteria again. Finishing your course of antibiotics, regular handwashing, and covering wounds on your skin can lower the risk of repeat infections.
What is the difference between MSSA and MRSA?
MSSA (methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus) and MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) are strains of the same bacteria. The key difference is that MSSA can be treated with certain antibiotics, while MRSA is resistant to many antibiotics, making it harder to treat.
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How Is MRSA Treated?
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of Staphylococcus, or "staph" bacteria, that can cause skin infections and affect the lungs, heart, and blood. Staph bacteria are usually harmless; however, MRSA bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics—namely methicillin, a lab marker for penicillin—making them tougher to manage. Infections often occur in hospital or clinical environments, but it can also spread in schools, workplaces, or other parts of the community.
If untreated, MRSA may become dangerous, especially if it spreads to the blood, causing an infection called sepsis. Specific treatments for MRSA depend on the severity of the specific case as well as the parts of the body that are affected. The primary approach to treatment is antibiotic therapy, which works to eradicate the MRSA bacteria, with additional procedures indicated for certain symptoms.
General practitioners and family doctors can treat many cases, though they may refer you to a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in the skin, hair, and nails) or an infectious disease specialist if it's severe.
This article provides an overview of how MRSA is treated as well as how you can manage this condition.
Antibiotics are the standard treatment for bacterial infections. They work by interrupting processes that the bacteria need to survive, killing them directly and stopping them from reproducing and spreading. However, MRSA, by definition, is resistant to a class of antibiotics called beta-lactams. As a result, treatment involves the healthcare provider finding an antibiotic that can fight your infection. If a MRSA infection is suspected, antibiotic therapy is immediately used, sometimes even before the case is confirmed. This is especially true if you're in the hospital with MRSA symptoms, as MRSA is incredibly contagious and can spread to other people in the hospital. How the drug is given depends on the severity and location of the infection. There are three primary approaches to antibiotic treatment for MRSA: Oral antibiotics: Many MRSA cases are treated with antibiotics you take by mouth such as doxycycline, clindamycin, and sulfa. The specific length of treatment depends on the medication prescribed, with the typical course lasting 7 to 10 days. It's critical to follow your prescription closely, as improper use can cause the infection to come back. You need to take the entire course of antibiotics, even if it appears that your infection has gotten better. Intravenous (IV) antibiotics: IV antibiotics are used in more severe cases that require going to a hospital or ER. They are delivered through a tube (known as a catheter) directly into the bloodstream. This treatment is continued until symptoms improve, and you may need to continue taking oral antibiotics afterward. Combination therapy: Courses of both IV and oral antibiotics, or combination therapy, may be needed in severe cases. They're indicated if the infection has spread to the heart (causing what's known as endocarditis) or blood (sepsis). Following this treatment, which is used until symptoms improve, you may need to continue taking antibiotics orally or via IV for up to eight weeks. Combination therapies (courses of both IV and oral antibiotics) may be necessary if your infection has spread to your heart or blood. A variety of antibiotics are used to treat MRSA infection. Medications that are typically indicated for MRSA include: Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole Doxycycline Minocycline Clindamycin Vancomycin Daptomycin Linezolid Tedizolid Rifampin Throughout the course of treatment, you'll be tested for levels of MRSA bacteria and screened for symptoms or any adverse reactions to the medication. Based on these results, your dosage may be adjusted, or different antibiotics may be attempted. More severe cases may call for multiple or extended rounds of antibiotic therapy. MRSA infection on the skin causes wounds and sores to form, and there can be fluid buildup around affected areas. Build up of this infected fluid, commonly called pus, can form a kind of boil known as an abscess. Your healthcare provider may need to drain abscesses to promote tissue healing. This may be the only treatment necessary in more minor cases, though you may be given antibiotics as well. However, draining an abscess caused by MRSA is not something you should try on your own. If performed in unsanitary conditions, it can actually make the infection worse. If you have skin symptoms, keep any wounds or lesions covered with sterile bandages and follow your healthcare provider's instructions for management. Especially if you work or spend much time in a hospital or clinical environment, you may become a carrier of MRSA in your nostrils and nasal passages. This is also called being "colonized." Carriers of the MRSA bacteria don't experience symptoms, but your risk of developing an infection or spreading the infection is higher. Decolonization involves taking steps to eradicate the bacteria and stop its spread as a preventive measure. One such approach involves applying a prescribed nasal ointment, Centany (mupirocin), to the sinuses. In addition, Dexidine (chlorhexidine) soap is often used in clinical environments, and it's also available as a mouthwash, which can stop household or community spread. A MRSA infection is challenging to manage and treat, and underlying health status can significantly impact how the infection affects you. The mortality of the condition—the rate at which it leads to death—ranges from five to 60% based on the site of infection and the presence of other conditions. However, early identification and prompt treatment can greatly improve outcomes. Depending on the case, you may have to take long courses of antibiotics to manage the condition. It's important to be aware of the side effects of these medications and to take them only as indicated. Also, be sure to keep any wounds closed and hands clean to prevent infection spread. Following treatment, be sure to let your healthcare provider know if: Your symptoms are getting worse You experience new symptoms, such as pain or swelling, after treatment Your infection isn't improving or comes back While there's more work to be done, it's important to note that newer therapies and diagnostic techniques are emerging for MRSA infection. Hopefully, the outlook will continue to improve for those with this condition. MRSA is an infection caused by a kind of bacteria that's resistant to certain antibiotics. It primarily affects the skin and can spread to the lungs, heart, or blood. MRSA causes fever, rashes, boils, and coughing, among other symptoms. It's primarily treated with antibiotics, though healthcare providers may also need to drain fluid from affected areas. It's critical to seek treatment because MRSA complications can become severe or fatal.Rampant Mrsa Infection Rate Increases In U.S. Healthcare Facilities Since Covid-19.
(MENAFN- EIN Presswire)15th Annual World MRSA Awareness Month
MORRIS, ILLINOIS, USA, August 1, 2023/einpresswire.Com / -- Rampant MRSA Infection Rates in U.S. Healthcare Facilities Increase Since the Beginning of COVID-19.
"We need to tighten the lapses in infection control for MRSA and healthcare-acquired infections in U.S. Healthcare facilities", states Jeanine Thomas, founder of mrsa survivors network and World MRSA Day/Month."Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) continues to be a major global health threat and is ever increasing. This year marks the 15th Annual Awareness Campaign for World MRSA Day/Month to draw attention to the important evolving public health crisis."
Active detection and isolation, strict hand hygiene control, decolonization, thorough disinfection of the environment and an antimicrobial-resistant program are all vital aspects and approaches for controlling healthcare-acquired infections.
MRSA Rates Rampant in U.S. HospitalsRecent studies and data show that MRSA has dramatically increased in U.S. Hospitals since the beginning of COVID-19.At the U.S. Veteran's Administration (VA) hospitals, where active screening, decolonization and isolation has been in place since 2007, a recent study comparing MRSA rates from 2005 and 2017, showed that all MRSA infections decreased 55%, Hospital-Onset (HO)-MRSA infections decreased by 66%, and MRSA-colonization decreased by 78%. These secular trend data are the longest evaluation of any MRSA-infection prevention strategy in U.S. Hospitals.
In contrast, a study comparing March 2020 to March 2022 at 182 Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) hospitals, where chlorhexidine bathing rather than active screening, decolonization and isolation is done, reported that during this period COVID-19-infected patients had a 3-fold increase in MRSA infections (11.2 vs.3.7) compared to Non-COVID-19 infected patients.
The Leapfrog Group reported that comparing late 2021 to 2022, MRSA infections spiked to a five-year high and that the MRSA standard infection ratio (SIR) increased by 37% at U.S. Hospitals. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) compared MRSA-bloodstream infection (BSI) rates at over 3,000 U.S. Hospital between 2019 to 2020 and reported that the MRSA-BSI rates increased by 34% from 2020 quarter 4 vs. 2019 quarter 4.
Both the Leapfrog Group and CDC should include current MRSA-infection prevention practices when analyzing MRSA rates. Regardless, data show that during the COVID-19 pandemic, MRSA rates increased at many U.S. Hospitals and more aggressive MRSA-infection prevention measures are needed to improve patient safety.
WORLD MRSA DAY, OCTOBER 2 – WORLD MRSA AWARENESS MONTH, OCTOBER – 15th ANNIVERSAY CAMPAIGNThe annual global awareness campaign draws critical attention for all healthcare facilities in the U.S. To screen high risk patients for MRSA and conduct a comprehensive 'search and destroy' approach. The 2023 global theme is:"The Ongoing MRSA Epidemic – A Call to Action". A virtual event will be held, Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 7:00pm CT via Zoom. A link will be provided closer to the event and will be shown later on MRSA Survivor's Network's new website:
Opening Remarks will be given by Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Unite and Keynote Speaker is the world-renowned infectious disease specialist Willam R. Jarvis M.D., President of Jason & Associates LLC and formerly with the CDC. Other expert presenters are John H. Powers M.D. FACP FIDSA, Professor of Clinical Medicine at George Washington University of Medicine and the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Dr. Rodney E. Rohde, SB, (ASCP), MB, SV FACs Global Fellow, Regents' Professor at Texas State University and Chair of the Clinical Laboratory Science Program. Survivors of MRSA, sepsis and C. Difficile will share their compelling stories of survival l and also AMR videos.MRSA Survivors Network was the first patient/consumer advocacy organization in the U.S. To raise the alarm concerning MRSA and healthcare-acquired infections (HAI's). 2023 marks MRSA Survivors Network's 20th year of raising the alarm and educating patients and the healthcare industry. I MRSA Survivors Network is a 501c3 nonprofit.
For information on becoming a Corporate Sponsor, donate, or volunteer contact us at: or 815 710-5026, , Twitter.Com/MRSAsurvivors and at Facebook.Com/MRSASurvivorsNetwork.
Jeanine ThomasMRSA Survivors Network+1 815-710-5026
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