What factors increase the risk of death in patients with MRSA infection?
Patients in hospital are more vulnerable to many infections, including those caused by MRSA, because devices such as intravenous catheters, or procedures such as surgery, provide an entry point for germs to enter the body. The most common types of infection caused by MRSA are local infections of the skin that can be treated successfully with proper skin care and antibiotics. Some MRSA infections can become life-threatening. Patients who are at particular risk are those who are seriously ill with another medical condition or whose immune system is weakened by diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease, or by treatments for conditions such as cancer.
