The bacterium Staphylococcus Aureus — that causes Mercer infection — is not harmful until a stage of dormancy presides over it. The MRSA bacterium is found on the skin as well as the nasal tract; however, it comes into the picture only when it senses that the immunity system of an individual has weakened.
Mercer infection — a general term used for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) — is a contagious infection. Staphylococcus Aureus is a bacterium that resides predominantly on the human skin and inside the nostrils. The mucus membranes serve to be their primary breeding grounds. This in the actual, is a bacterium that stays on the skin and the mucus membranes.
The bacterium gets activated and becomes a pathogen when it senses the immunity system is losing its general vitality. Initially, studies projected that the bacterium had no resistance to antibiotics. However, bacteria have the ability to multiply, and this mutation can further lead them to developing a good ability or resistance towards antibiotics. It has figured itself to be highly resistant to Penicillin, Methicillin, and Beta-lactam antibiotics.
Indicants of Mercer Infection
Tender Skin
The individual may develop a reddish tinge on the skin, courtesy the rash. They are round bumps — red in color — that resemble pimples and pustules. With pustules, some people also develop pus-filled boils that look swollen causing an aberration on the skin. The most unfortunate episode that occurs with the onset of this symptom is that an individual infected with mercer fails to understand the condition and takes the infection to be a skin breakout resultant of bedbugs or an insect bite.
Swelling
It has been observed that individuals who have undergone a surgery recently, are at a higher risk of developing this infection. With inflamed wounds, it becomes easy for the pathogen to permeate the skin and lead to infection. You may also have pain around the neighboring areas of the wound. The hair follicles that surround the affected area can develop boils, thus sustaining infection.
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Swollen lymph nodes are also a result of the MRSA infection. There are probabilities that you could develop pain in the lymph nodes and may have trouble swallowing food content.
Fever
Fever is another dominant symptom that is accompanied with shivers and frequent severe chills. Though a symptom that resembles flu; you must avoid neglecting the condition, take serious action, and bring the condition under control.
Joint Ache
This is one symptom that may be confused with a flu symptom of developing body ache. However, it must be understood that the pain in muscles and joints is due to the fact that the bacterium has made its way from the skin surface to the blood stream. This is a serious condition and demands immediate medical attention.
Swelling in the Eye
The infection in the skin may also spread to the apocrine glands that are located at the edge of the eyelid. You may find that you have developed an itchy spot in the eye that causes pain and an unbearable urge to scratch. This results in the formation of a sty or a pustule-like inflammation in the eye.
Treatment Options
As the bacterium has developed resistance to penicillin and methicillin, there are antibiotics that are still administered and found to be the most appropriate for the conduction of treatment. Vancomycin is one of the most common drug administered for the infection. Clindamycin and linezolid are also amongst the antibiotic options that have the potency to be administered. There are some cases where the patient has to go through the Intravenous treatment (IV). Supportive medical aid is provided if the infection has spread into the blood stream through the kidneys, lungs, or the heart.
Do not consider abandoning the medication prescribed, halfway through the course. There are a majority who believe that once the symptoms have disappeared, the medication could be given a miss. Now, that’s where you go wrong and end with a relapse. The MRSA bacteria may still be lurking in your system, i.e., it may lie dormant; however, de facto, it remains in the system. After the medication is abruptly discontinued, the bacteria spring to an active state, as a ‘crash course’ of antibiotics may provide bacteria to develop resistance to the medication. Therefore, it is pivotal that you adhere to the advice of your healthcare expert and complete the course.
Is Mercer Infection Contagious?
Yes, Mercer infection is contagious. The skin is the major conductor of the MRSA bacteria. It is contagious as we, several times during the day, come in contact with people; we exchange greetings, use a public toilet, and touch the door handles repetitively during the day. It is only through this, that the infection travels from one individual to another resulting in a relative spread of the pathogen. If someone sustains an injury, it is always advisable to crepe the area. This will prevent the bacteria from spreading.
It would be highly beneficial if you cover a wound that is oozing pus. It is through oozing wounds that the bacteria penetrates the skin and causes infection. It is also observed that a part of the body — one that was subjected to a surgical procedure — may also cause the bacterium to breed. While indulging in contact sports, it is evident that individuals may contract the infection. It is when the skin is broken or sustains wounds, that the bacteria crawls through, and makes way for infection.
Preventive Measures
Preventive measures include maintaining paramount hygiene. You must wash your hands thoroughly, with a liquid hand wash. Lather the liquid soap well and scrub your hands up till your wrists for about 15 to 20 seconds. Make sure that you use a liquid sanitizer when you come in contact with foreign objects, in the park, on public transport or at your workplace. Don’t share your belongings — your soap or your face towel — with anybody. Washing your hands thoroughly and residing in a clean and decent environment can save you the agony you go through if you contract the infection.
The final word: Keep your surroundings and belongings well protected, and make hygiene your preponderant priority.
Note.- The article published herein, is meant to accomplish pedagogical purposes only. The information, by no means, intends to supplant the diagnosis and advice imparted by the medical practitioner.
