Well, I am a nurse and I am here to say MRSA IS SERIOUS! You should be treated immediately. It's no joke.
MRSA originated in hospitals. It is a mixture of different types of bacteria. Maybe a nurse went from one patient's room with Bacteria A to another patient's room that had Bacteria B. She didn't wash her hands. SO, now she has Bacteria AB. But, remember, there are several (and I mean SEVERAL) types of bacteria, so there are hundreds - if not thousands - possible mixtures. Most MRSA infections are resistant to most antibiotics. That's why the name "methicillin resistant".
VRSA is worse than MRSA, BUT there is another that's worse than both VRSA and MRSA. I just can't remember the name sitting here this minute.
Another point is that if you have EVER BEEN INFECTED WITH MRSA, most hospitals (if you ever get sick and placed in the hospital) will automatically place you on ISOLATION because you have had MRSA in your life. NO matter what you were admitted to the hospital for at that current time (it could be diabetes complications admission, and you will be placed on ISOLATION).
Most of us carry MRSA in our nares, we just don't carry a high enough amount to be dangerous. They use Bactroban ointment to treat MRSA in the nares. Some doctors that I know regularly put this outside of their nares when doing rounds in the hospitals. It's a precautionary thing.
MRSA can be located just about anywhere on or in the body. You can have MRSA in a wound, MRSA in your urine, etc. It can spread. It should be treated immediately. IF you have MRSA in a wound, you should ALWAYS keep the wound covered, to prevent further spread. I'm sure everyone's heard about high school jocks getting MRSA through locker room contamination.
Anyway, any infection should be considered serious. Especially when we surround ourself with our family's most of the time. We don't want to put their health at risk. Especially if the infected person is going to be around an immunocompromised person (person with Multiple Sclerosis, taking steriods, the list goes on). Their immune system isn't strong enough to fight off a cold, much less MRSA
Hope this has been helpful.
