MRSA Carriers: Common but not Uncommon

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacteria that healthcare professionals continue to be concerned due to the potentially serious infections it cause and its resistance to many conventional antibiotics. A MRSA carrier is a person who carries the MRSA on their skin or in their nose but does not exhibit any symptoms. Another name given for this is colonization.

A person may exhibit certain symptoms and signs that indicate they may be MRSA carriers. Specialists in infectious diseases can advise decolonization once the active infection has been treated. By definition, decolonization is a treatment to eradicate Staphylococcus aureus or Methicillin Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage. The most potential benefits of decolonization includes prevention of MRSA transmission and future infection. 

For patients admitted in hospital who are found to be carriers of MRSA, a decolonization treatment plan may be initiated at hospital discharge. Though for community, there are no set guidelines but decolonization may be recommended for those who keep getting MRSA infections despite improving their hygiene practices and/or if MRSA is still being spread among family members.

MRSA infections are relatively widespread and decolonization of MRSA carriers can prevent its transmission in the public.