Mercer Staph Infection
The Truth about Mercer Staph Infection
While the true name is MRSA, it is most commonly referred to as “mercer” staph infection. To the common person, the condition is simply called mercer.
The initials MRSA stand for methicillan resistant staphylococcus aureus; a bacterial condition that grows resistant to different types of antibiotics when overuse of the medications occurs in an individual. There are two varieties of MRSA; one that is acquired in the sterile environment of a hospital, clinic or other medical facility, and the other is commonly found in community areas such locker rooms. Each is caused from the same bacterium, called staph, which is very commonly found on the human body. It is also found on most surfaces and can become airborne, making it also a very contagious bacterium. It can survive on just about any surface for numerous days, even weeks.
Although this description of MRSA sounds ominous, it can actually be quite innocuous in many instances. While the bacterium is frequently found on both surfaces and skin, not everyone has ill effects from staph. It takes a cut or opening on the skin into which the staph aureus bacterium can enter and begin to grow, causing an infection. When the infection does not respond to treatment by an antibiotic, it is considered to be a “mercer” staph infection due to its resistance.
Bacterial infections are commonly treated by prescribing antibiotics, such as penicillin. This is an effective means of eliminating the bacteria causing the infection; however, it tends to be a catch all remedy that is prescribed too often in life. Children in particular are prone to infections, as they are touchy feely individuals that are in constant contact with other children. Their curious little fingers touch everything, often going into the mouth, rubbing the eyes or touching the face in general. This natural habit creates the perfect environment for passing bacteria to each other. Colds, ear problems and the flu are common ailments of the young child, and they are all too often treated with antibiotics.
This may seem to be the ideal solution to keeping young children healthy, but it actually presents quite the opposite situation. Antibiotics tend to eliminate and maim not only harmful bacteria, but also helpful bacteria whose job it is to assist the immune system in fighting infections. Frequent use of antibiotics teaches the staph infection to mutate into forms that are not recognized by antibiotics, and the newly formed version of the bacteria develops a resistance to them. They can reside within the body unnoticed just waiting for the opportunity to arise when conditions are optimal for recurrence of infection. Since the resistance to antibiotics keeps the staph bacterium from being eliminated, multiple infections can occur over a period of time.
Symptoms of the mercer staph infection are evident in the eruption of small pimple like lesions on the skin, which may develop into ulcers. They are able to be treated by a doctor; draining the abscess and using a topical solution on the wound. In the rare instance that the infection goes inward and enters the bloodstream or affects major organs, the condition can become life threatening. While staph aureus has developed resistance to many antibiotics, there are still medical ways to treat the condition.
The best way to combat mercer staph infection is to attempt avoidance. Good sanitary habits such as frequent hand washing and using hand sanitizer can go great lengths at inhibiting bacteria growth on the skin. Avoiding contact with others fighting infection and not allowing the overuse of antibiotic usage to build up resistance within your own system are steps to take to disallow becoming a victim to resistant staph bacteria.