How is MRSA Spread?
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, also known as MRSA or staph, is a strain of staph infection and a serious health concern because it is oftentimes fatal. This infection can be spread one of three ways: having direct contact with a contaminated object, touching a person who is an infection carrier, or contact with anybody suffering with the infection. MRSA is also identified by whether it is contracted following contact with a person or object associated with healthcare, or if the infection is spread in the community and away from health care professionals and facilities.
Those who are already infected with MRSA do not show signs or symptoms for about ten days, which makes the spread of infection even more likely. A person may be infected for almost two weeks and unknowingly spread bacteria all over the place. Even after they are diagnosed, it is difficult for them to avoid spreading such a highly communicable disease. Carriers are even more likely to spread MRSA than infected persons, for they often never find out that they carry this disease. Being unaware of the way in which they are spreading deadly bacteria, they make contact with thousands of objects and people all over the place and leave the staph bacteria behind them.
Not only do infected people and carriers alike spread bacteria through contact with surfaces and other objects, but the likelihood of the infected person touching a person susceptible to infection is great-especially in health-care facilities where a surprising 7 percent of staff carries MRSA. Even in the community at large, a full 2 percent carry the disease and many of these carriers are unaware of their condition and the harm it causes other people. In fact, although fewer community members carry the disease, those who do carry MRSA have a better chance of spreading it due to their lack of education.
Most health care professionals carrying MRSA have been taught about the ways in which it is transmitted and take precautionary steps in order not to spread it to the highly susceptible hospital population. The ease with which MRSA is spread is quite alarming, especially considering how severe this infection can be. The best way to prevent this disease spread is through education-if a person knows that he or she is a carrier of MRSA, then he or she is better equipped to take the preventative steps necessary to curbing the spread of disease.
