MRSA infections are a major health problem in health care settings such as hospitals, intensive care units, acute care settings and many other health institutions. MRSA infection is also becoming more common in community settings. Despite the growing prevalence of MRSA, the infection is still unknown to many people. Many doctors have little or no experience in treating MRSA infection and there is much confusion and misunderstanding about what is MRSA and how to get rid of it. To effectively control MRSA infections, it’s important to know both the facts and the common myths and misconceptions behind this ailment.

MRSA infection is caused by a bacteria called Staph aureus that has become resistant to many common antibiotic drugs, especially the methicillin class of antibiotics. Thus the full name of MRSA is Methicillin Resistant Staph aureus. When antibiotics are used, bacteria can mutate and learn how to resist the antibiotic in order to survive. The more that antibiotics are used, the more new strains of bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. This is how MRSA and the broader problem of antibiotic resistance came to be.

One common myth about MRSA infections is that a virus is responsible. MRSA is a bacteria, not a virus. Antibiotics only work against bacteria, not viruses. Although some strains of MRSA have become resistant to nearly all antibiotics, most strains of MRSA infection are still vulnerable to some types of antibiotic drugs. Because MRSA may resemble a simple Staph infection, doctors commonly use a trial and error method in prescribing antibiotics, beginning with a broad spectrum drug. However, MRSA is resistant to most broad spectrum antibiotics. Testing is very important to determine whether the infection is caused by MRSA or a common Staph infection, for best results with antibiotics.

There is also confusion about how long a person can be a carrier of MRSA. MRSA carriers carry the bacteria on their skin and may never manifest any symptom or become infected. MRSA carriers may not be aware that they harbour the bacteria, unknowingly spreading the bacteria to other people. Because MRSA can cause infection, spread rapidly and can be difficult to treat, the bacteria can pose a danger to a carrier’s family, co-workers and friends. Recently it was also discovered that MRSA bacteria can be transmitted through the air. Airborne MRSA is most common in hospitals and can contaminate surfaces, which when contacted can infect people with the bacteria.

Another common source of confusion around MRSA infections are the large number of natural remedies becoming available online. While there are some natural remedies that are strong enough for MRSA, there is still no single remedy that can cure MRSA and prevent a recurrence of the infection, which is a common problem. Doctors typically have no training or experience with natural or alternative treatments and therefore discourage their use. If you want to use natural treatments and remedies for a MRSA infection, for your best success, work with a holistic practitioner like a Naturopathic Doctor (ND), or other alternative-minded medical doctor who can oversee your progress.

To effectively stop a MRSA infection and prevent the infection from recurring, there are three steps that should be followed as part of any natural treatment strategy. The first and most obvious step is to stop the infection using safe yet powerful natural remedies, remembering that skin infections, nose infections, internal infections, etc. usually require a different approach or method. The second step is to repair the damage done to your body from both the MRSA infection and any antibiotic drugs that were taken. Antibiotics have many side effects that should be countered as much as possible for best outcome. Antibiotics also weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of future MRSA infection or secondary infection outbreaks. The third step is to actively preventing the recurrence of MRSA infection by boosting the immune system, practicing proper hygiene and cleaning techniques and taking maintenance amounts of natural antibacterial products and foods.