What is MRSA?
Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are often called “staph”. They are common germs that
are frequently carried on the skin or in the noses of healthy people and are a common
cause of mild to severe skin infections. Staph can also cause surgical wound infections,
bloodstream infections, and pneumonia. MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus
aureus) refers to a strain of these bacteria that have developed resistance to certain
antibiotics.
Why screen for MRSA?
MRSA often affects people in hospitals and long-term care facilities, but it is also spreading among healthy children and adults outside the healthcare system. People can carry these bacteria in or on their body without symptoms, and these bacteria can unknowingly be passed from patient to patient if important precautions are not taken.
How is the test done?
A swab culture from your nose will be done. The nose is a common area where MRSA likes to live, so that is why we culture this area. The use of the swabs to collect the samples is safe, usually just a tickling sensation.