In the category of contagious diseases, MRSA infection holds one of the top spots. MRSA is also resistant to generally used antibiotics thus immediate diagnosis and medical intervention is required to prevent fatal complications.
How Long Is A Person Contagious With MRSA?
MRSA infection is a highly contagious disease. The severity of the disease depends upon the level of immunity of the patient. People with a compromised immune system show severe symptoms as compared to people who have a healthy immune system. MRSA infection is resistant to standard antibiotics and thus aggressive treatment strategy should be adopted to eradicate the bacteria and thus the infection. It is important to note that even if the patient has reduced symptoms and physically looks fine, it does not mean that MRSA is completely eradicated from the body. In most cases, the bacteria live on the skin and in the nose without presenting any symptoms. It is also to be noted that such persons act as a carrier for the disease. The bacteria remain on the solid surface for four to six months if the surface does not get disinfected.
A person remains a carrier of MRSA for an indefinite period of time. This indicates that some person after being infected with MRSA have the ability to spread the disease for a long period without himself showing any symptoms. The people die due to MRSA infection still contains the active MRSA which are capable of spreading the disease. The incubation period for such an organism is 2 to 10 days. MRSA infection is spread through direct as well as indirect contact. Thus, it is advised that the personal belongings such as blade, razor or towel should not be shared. Research indicates that people who are the carrier of this disease have a low incidence of spreading the disease as compared to those people who are actually infected and presenting the symptoms.
MRSA
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus is a bacterium who is resistant to various antibiotics. It is a gram-positive bacterium and is often considered to be evolved due to misuse of antibiotics. In non-hospitalized patients, it may cause severe skin infections while the risk of systemic infections is high in hospitalized patients. The infections developed in hospitals are known as nosocomial infections or healthcare-related infections. MRSA may cause sepsis or pneumonia and the treatment requires high-end potent antibiotics. If the bacteria are present on the skin, it colonizes for an indefinite period of time. Once it enters the body, it may lead to severe infections. The incubation period varies among different people. Prevention of MRSA is done by following the hygienic measures both in the hospitals and in the community. In hospitals, the equipment should be properly sterilized, while the rooms and other places should be frequently disinfected. In the community, the infection is prevented by washing hands with soap and covers the wounds to prevent the spread of infection.
MRSA Symptoms
Although the conclusive diagnosis of infection is done through the analysis of bacterial culture, there are some symptoms which may prove helpful in diagnosing the infection. Following are the symptoms of MRSA infection:
- Fever. As with other infections, MRSA infection also causes fever in the patient. The fever can be managed through anti-pyretic drugs such as paracetamol.
- Rashes. Whether the infection is systemic or on the skin, the MRSA infection is presented by rashes.
- Neurological symptoms. MRSA infection also leads to various neurological disorders such as confusion and dizziness.
- Fatigue. A major portion of the energy is diverted for fighting against infection, and due to accompanied fever, the patient feels fatigue and there is a weakness in the body.
- Skin symptoms. MRSA infection also presents various skin symptoms such as boils, bumps, abscess or sore.
Conclusion
The person may be contagious with MRSA for an indefinite period of time. The colony of MRSA is found in the nose and on the skin and the person does not have symptoms. Such people are considered as a carrier.
Also Read:
