MRSA (Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) cases have increased in recent months in our Social Security Disability clients. These are essentially infections that are resistant to a major category of antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporins. This year we have had several cases involving MRSA that have prevented individuals from having otherwise needed surgeries because of risk of further infection. In all of our cases, individuals were admitted to the hospital for other medical reasons, developed an MRSA infection, and then they were released.
Individuals who are considered likely to get this are athletes in contact sports, children, the elderly, individuals with weak immune systems, and individuals staying in a health care facility for an extended time.
As a precaution to lower the risk of getting MRSA infections, individuals are advised to make sure all doctors and nurses wash their hands, sanitize surfaces, and sterilize any instruments that might have been used in treating a skin infection that led to the MRSA infection.
