Why Not All Mrsa Treatment Plans Work

By Author: Jamie Hanson
Total Articles: 3534
Comment this article

MRSA is a condition wherein you have a staph infection gone worst because of bacterial infection that does not respond to antibiotics. This problem is rampant in the United States, more so than Europe and Asia, mainly because of the abuse of antibiotics for even the most common ailments.

The difficult part about MRSA treatment is that it is subjective, depending on which drug the patient has become resistant to. Usually, culture and microbiological testing will determine the right treatment. This method presents a unique issue in that the results takes time before it can be made available to the doctor and patient.

Other problems that may hamper your healing even with an MRSA treatment would be the following:

Infection from Other Sources Aside From The Wound/Bite

Once a person has been diagnosed with MRSA, it is urgent that the MRSA treatment also include a diagnosis of other sources like the use of tampons, presence of intravenous lines, artificial grafts, heart valves or even pacemakers where the bacteria could lodge itself. If necessary, they will have to be removed if only to be cleaned properly, ...
... or until the MRSA infection heals thoroughly.

Failure To Complete The Antibiotic Cycle

Many people who have been prescribed antibiotics for MRSA often feel better after a couple of days, and even more so after 5 days. The signs of swelling, pain, and edema would have reduced significantly. For these reasons, the patient may decide randomly to discontinue the antibiotics. Others simply buy good enough for 3 to 5 days and then discontinue because of lack of funds. Either way is wrong on two counts:

1. Just because the wound/bite or infection looks and feels better does not mean the bacteria is gone, so discontinuation of the antibiotics could cause a more serious condition, to the point of endangering the life of the patient.
2. Using the antibiotics without completing the cycle is a double whammy because you end up building a resistance to the drug, but not healing the infection

Failure To take Antibiotics After Surgical Intervention

Similarly, just because the pus was drained from the area does not mean the surgeon was able to remove all the pus or bacteria. You will still need to take antibiotics to ensure that all the bacteria that may have been left behind is destroyed.

Improper Hygiene

It is rampant that the antibiotics and MRSA treatment are working perfectly, but the patient or person caring for the patient fails to practice good hygiene. For instance, after dressing the wound, the patient fails to wash hands properly, or even use a hand sanitizer. This person would then be a carrier of the bacteria, and by touching someone else's skin with an open cut or holding food and serving it to someone could cause that person to get the bacteria.

The Immune System Cannot Cope

Without wanting to sound morose, there have been cases when a person dies even with the right MRSA treatment because he or she failed to seek medical attention immediately, and the immune system could not handle the infection.

For very serious MRSA infection, the only MRSA treatment possible should be done in the hospital under constant supervision. This is because the patient could suffer from kidney failure, lack of oxygen, or need to have medication given intravenously.

Leigh Ross is a microbiologist and researcher of staph infections. For more information on mrsa and staph infections see this website for mrsa treatment information.