MRSA or Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a kind of Staph infection that has affected millions of people all over the world. As its name implies, MRSA is resistant to many common antibiotics, making it difficult to treat. Because of the growing problem of MRSA and other so called superbugs, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now supporting the institutional limitation of antibiotic use, both in animals and in people. As Community Associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) is a form of MRSA you can get in public places (such as gyms, schools, grocery stores, etc) MRSA prevention should be taken to a personal level as well. Knowing what measures prevent the spread of this dangerous disease is a must.

MRSA Infection Risk Factors

Before addressing MRSA prevention, it’s important to know the different factors that increase the risk of acquiring MRSA infections. Most MRSA infection cases are correlated with a previous stay or visit to a hospital or other healthcare facility. MRSA bacteria are commonly found in health care environments, such as clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and outpatient facilities. Studies show that MRSA bacteria are abundant on hospital floors, around sinks and on surfaces. CA- MRSA is another form of MRSA which is present in the community. Direct or indirect contact with a person infected with MRSA is a growing route of transmission for the infection.

Another factor that makes a person susceptible to MRSA is antibiotic use. While antibiotics are commonly used to kill bacteria, unfortunately, not all bacteria are killed by these drugs. Some bacteria survive antibiotic treatment and develop resistance to the antibiotic, leading to antibiotic resistant infections. Antibiotics also kill the good bacteria that help protect the body from infection, taking a toll on the immune system, making it easier for opportunistic bacteria to cause infection. Many factors can decrease the strength of your immune system, such as poor diet, age (children or elderly), recent hospitalization, recent antibiotic use, stress and more.

Some Simple MRSA Prevention Techniques

The main components of effective MRSA prevention include proper and consistent hygiene, isolation, boosting the immune system and the limitation of antibiotic use. Disinfection and proper hand washing can be utilized daily to prevent the spread of MRSA. Disinfectants kill MRSA and other bacteria on hard non-living surfaces where bacteria may be present. Silver-based disinfectants are becoming a popular way to safely and effectively disinfect against MRSA. Bleach is more common, but it must be used carefully due to its toxic and corrosive nature.

Proper hand washing is an important and effective way to address MRSA prevention. But without the right kind of soap, hand washing is less effective and can even be detrimental to your health. Using harsh soaps can deplete the natural skin oils, making your skin dry and cracked, serving as an entry point for bacteria. Antibacterial soaps are not recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Antibacterial soaps disrupt the normal bacterial flora on the skin, potentially causing depletion and the weakening of the skin’s defenses against infection. Warm water and a mild, natural soap will cleanse your hands in a safe and effective manner.

As stated above, only using antibiotics when absolutely necessary can help with the prevention of MRSA. Another important MRSA prevention measure is isolation. Studies show that airborne MRSA is a common way for MRSA to spread from person to person. Hospitals commonly keep MRSA patients isolated from others to reduce the risk of spreading the infection. Isolation and separation of personal items, clothing, and laundry can help minimize the spread of MRSA as well.

Support of the body’s immune system through proper diet, nutrition, reduction of antibiotic use, and addressing any underlying health issues is another important component of MRSA prevention. The immune system is the body’s first line of defence against infection. The stronger the body’s natural defences, the more resistant it will be to bacterial infections like MRSA and other types of infection, such as the flu.