Experiences with
MRSA

Symptoms of MRSA

Most people with MRSA bacteria on their skin do not have any symptoms.

But if you get an MRSA infection under your skin, you may have an area of skin that:

is painful and swollen
feels warm when you touch it
leaks pus or liquid
looks red – though this may be harder to see on brown or black skin

If the infection spreads to your blood or lungs, or another part of your body, symptoms may include:

high temperature
difficulty breathing
chills
dizziness
confusion

You have a cut or wound that:

is painful, swollen or red
feels warm when you touch it
leaks pus or liquid

These could be signs of a skin infection such as MRSA. Some skin infections can be serious, so they need to be checked quickly.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

is acting confused, has slurred speech and is not making sense
has difficulty breathing, such as breathlessness or breathing very fast
has blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
has a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis

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Treatments for MRSA

MRSA can be treated with antibiotics.

Antibiotic tablets can be used for mild MRSA infections.

More serious infections may need to be treated in hospital with antibiotics given by injection or a drip into a vein in your arm.

You may need antibiotics for a few days or up to a few months, depending on how serious the infection is.

If you get complications, you may need further treatment, such as surgery to drain a build-up of pus (abscess).

Preventing MRSA infections

People staying in care homes and hospitals (especially those having surgery) are at a higher risk of getting an MRSA infection.

If you're visiting someone in a care home or hospital, follow any instructions you're given about washing or sanitising your hands.

Testing for MRSA before going into hospital

If you're due to have surgery, you may be offered a screening test for MRSA before you go into hospital.

This usually involves wiping swabs (similar to cotton buds) on:

the inside of your nostril
the back of your mouth
your groin

The swabs are then sent for testing.

If the result shows you have MRSA on your skin, you’ll need to treat it with a special nasal cream or spray, body wash and shampoo for around 5 to 10 days.

You will be sent these items along with instructions on how to use them.

Causes of MRSA infection

MRSA usually lives harmlessly on the skin and mainly spreads through touch.

This can happen if you touch a person with MRSA, or something they’ve touched.

MRSA will only cause an infection if it spreads inside the body.

MRSA infections can affect anyone, but you may be more at risk if you:

have long stays in hospital (especially if you’re being treated for a serious condition)
have a break or opening in your skin, for example for a drip into a vein, a cut from surgery, a serious burn or wound, or other damage to your skin
have a weakened immune system (for example, because of a condition such as HIV or treatment such as chemotherapy)

SymptomsMedical treatmentsPreventionCauses

The main symptom of an MRSA skin infection is painful, swollen skin. More serious infections cause breathing problems, high temperature and confusion.

MRSA is usually treated with antibiotics. Serious infections may need treatment in hospital.

People going into hospital are often tested for MRSA on their skin. If MRSA is found, it can be treated to stop it causing an infection.

You may be more likely to get an MRSA infection if you spend long periods in hospital, or have an opening in your body, like a drip in your arm.