Is MRSA a unique problem for hospitals?
MRSA is usually associated with health care settings. The strains found are often particularly well adapted to survival in the hospital setting – on patients, staff or in the environment- and transfer easily between patients. The prevalence of these strains has increased in most hospitals and the number of patients admitted to Great Ormond Street already carrying it rose steadily through the 1990s. However, the numbers coming to GOSH have actually fallen in the last three years. MRSA is also sometimes found in the community. S. aureus is not the only organism that can cause infection. There are many different types of infection we want to protect your child from. MRSA is one which the press is particularly keen to talk about but the issues are similar for all sorts of organisms and infections.
