What is a MRSA Infection?
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a strain of the staphylococcus bacteria that has developed drug resistance to all forms of penicillin. MRSA infection is most commonly found in hospitals, and is more likely to occur in patients that have weakened immune systems, as in cases with cystic fibrosis patients. Perfectly healthy people can also have an MRSA infection and may present with infections of the skin, nose, urinary tract or respiratory tract. An MRSA infection is difficult to treat because the staph is so strong and has evolved into a highly resistant strain. The common treatment is to give vancomycin, another antibiotic. However, an MRSA infection may be resistant to vancomycin, and is called vancomycin-resistant staphylococci or VISA. Figuratively, MRSA and VISA are really a part of a pitched battle between medicine and germs. Since MRSA has shown to evolve and become resistant against other forms of antibiotics, new antibiotics are tried. These ultimately lea
