What Is Respiratory MRSA?
Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is a very common bacterium that can cause mild skin, mouth, and respiratory tract infections. Most strains of staph are easily treatable with common antibiotics such as methicillin and penicillin. Certain strains, however, have evolved a resistance to antibiotics over the last few decades and are thus very difficult to treat. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a highly contagious strain that can cause epidemics in hospitals, schools, daycare centers, and other places where large groups of people share common space. Respiratory MRSA occurs when bacteria embed in the lungs and throat, which can lead to life-threatening breathing problems and general illness.
