Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a particularly serious skin infection. While many skin infections are treatable, MRSA can have severe and even fatal consequences.
Understanding MRSA's Severity
MRSA, a type of staph bacteria resistant to many common antibiotics, can cause more than just skin infections. It poses a significant threat because it can lead to:
- Pneumonia: Infection of the lungs.
- Bloodstream Infections (Bacteremia): Infection spreading throughout the body.
- Bone Infections (Osteomyelitis): Infection of the bone.
- Surgical Wound Infections: Serious complications after surgery.
- Heart Valve Infections (Endocarditis): Infection of the heart valves.
- Lung Infections: Severe and potentially life-threatening.
Untreated or improperly treated MRSA infections can be fatal. The severity stems from its antibiotic resistance and its potential to spread beyond the skin to vital organs. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with effective antibiotics are crucial.
Although many health care providers can successfully treat MRSA skin infections in their offices, the potential for severe systemic infections highlights its dangerous nature. The reference explicitly states that MRSA can cause death if not properly identified and treated.
