Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

The Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by a strain of staph bacteria. This particular bacteria has become resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat regular staph infections, and therefore these normal antibiotics are useless. This MRSA infection can occur in hospital settings (during surgery, artificial joints, etc.) or among healthy people ( skin to skin contact). The infection starts off as a boil on the skin and gets progressively worse if not treated. Bactrim and vancomycin are often the first drugs used as antibiotics for MRSA, among others. There has not yet been an antibiotic resistance seen for these drugs, so they will continue functioning properly. Antibiotics are only one option for MRSA, as the boil can be incised and drained.