Do the initials MRSA mean anything to you? Or maybe you have heard of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infections. MRSA is a type of bacteria that is resistant to several widely used antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin and methicillin. This means that those antibiotics cannot treat infections with MRSA so they can be harder to treat. There has been an increase in the number of MRSA cases. Why has it happened? Simple: the bacteria has adapted to the antibiotics intended to kill them.

MRSA is most common as a skin infection that is cased whenever bacteria enter the skin through a cut or a sore (although there are many other ways). MRSA infections can be a minor problem, but they can become a serious issue if left untreated. Symptoms of MRSA infections include a skin abscess, drainage of pus from the site, fever, and warmth around the infected area, but other symptoms can be present when the infection is more serious: rash, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, muscle aches...

As with many other health issues, older people have to be especially careful with this kind of infection as we have a weakened immune system. That means that we have to take special precautions. The most basic way of preventing MRSA infection is good hygiene: wash your hands frequently, used alcohol-based sanitisers and avoid sharing personal items such as towels. And of course, we have to seek professional help if we notice any of the symptoms: the sooner a MRSA infection is treated, the easier it will be to heal it.