Sepsis and MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA is a staph infection that is immune to many types of antibiotics. (Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)/Antibiotic Resistance) Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium that lives on our skin and, most of the time, causes no ill effects. Problems may arise, however, if there is a break in the skin – through a cut, a puncture, or some other opening – that allows the staph to enter into the body.

An unchecked infection may develop into sepsis.

Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency that happens when your body’s response to an infection damages vital organs and, often, causes death. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.

There are two types of MRSA infections: community-acquired (CA) and hospital-acquired (HA). The most common type is HA-MRSA, but CA-MRSA is becoming more common.

Suggested Citation:
Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis and MRSA. 2024. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/mrsa/

Updated February 16, 2024.

More About MRSA

Spread

Most often, MRSA infection spreads by skin-to-skin contact or through contact with items contaminated by the bacteria. For example, if you skin your knee on a surface that has MRSA, it could enter your body through the break in the skin.

Healthcare-acquired infections are spread by the people inside a healthcare facility. They may touch a patient who has MRSA and then transmit the bacteria to another patient. Patients may also contract MRSA in a facility if they touch contaminated objects, such as a bedside table or bed rails.

Symptoms

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), MRSA infections usually appear as a bump or infected area on the skin that might be:

Red
Swollen
Painful
Warm to the touch
Full of pus or other drainage
Accompanied by a fever

At-Risk Groups

Anyone can develop this type infection, however people with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses do have a higher risk. MRSA also spreads easily within healthcare settings.

Treatment

Although MRSA is bacteria methicillin-resistant, it can often be treated with another type of antibiotic.

For effective MRSA treatment, the infection must be caught and treated as early as possible.

Prevention

Not all infections can be prevented, but the chances of spreading infections can be greatly reduced by following these tips:

Wash your hands often, particularly if you are in a healthcare facility.
Keep wounds clean and covered.
Avoid sharing personal items, such as razors.

You can also help protect yourself by eating a healthy diet. Malnutrition, not consuming enough nutrients for your needs, can lower your body’s ability to fight infection.

Related Resources

Information Guide

Information Guide

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In September of 2023 I started having pain in my left knee, it progressed quickly to the point I couldn’t walk. I went to the ER 3 times crying in pain and they really didn’t do anything. To them I was obese and already had arthritis so why look further. The next night I couldn’t take the pain anymore. My sister brought me to the ER and yelled at them to do something. I don’t remember much until I woke up about 2 weeks later on a ventilator. My sister told me I had MRSA in the knee and I ... Read Full Story

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Kim Schulz

In January of 2022, the pandemic was nearly past us. I was looking forward to working at the local nursing home without wearing a mask. We had begun cautiously lowering our masks for weekly staff meetings. Our nursing home was like many in the US; we had COVID-19 patients alongside others who came to us with severe bacterial infections, including chronic MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections. I was disappointed (but not surprised) to see the “plus sign” indicating I had COVID. Others on my team had already been sent home recently for having contracted the virus, but not before passing ... Read Full Story

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Eunique Gipson

After a high-risk pregnancy and complicated birth on November 24,2023, Eunique called 911 due to having chest pains. She had given birth via C section on November 16,2023. When she arrived in the emergency department she was on the brink of death. (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth) The doctors immediately started Eunique on antibiotics and oxygen. They told her that she was in septic shock and needed to be sedated on a ventilator. She was scared and fought against the doctor’s medical advice for two days. Her condition is was worsening she finally decided to be sedated. Eunique fought for ... Read Full Story

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Joseph Baldini

On January 22, 2025 I woke up with 102° temp. Took ibuprofen went back to bed. January 23 woke up again at night 102° took ibuprofen didn’t think too much of it. January 24 103° temp and my lower left side of my back was in a lot of pain. January 25, could barely walk 103°, call the ambulance to go to the hospital. Arrived 4a.m. took test had to wait for the lab for blood results. I left, told the doctor if it gets worse I’ll come back. At 1a.m. the 26 of Jan, hospital called told me to ... Read Full Story

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Paul Borgman

This is my story. It started four and a half years ago, at the age of 57. I had been fighting a chronic ulcer on my left foot due to non-diabetic neuropathy and also stress fractures in my metatarsal bones. I was being treated regularly by a podiatrist but wasn’t able to heal completely because as an energy engineer, I performed field audits and did a lot of walking. A few weeks after a visit to a hospital for some x-rays on my foot, I started feeling sick – urinary issues, lethargy, weakness, loss of appetite. Then in a few ... Read Full Story

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