MRSA on the rise in hospitals.

The August issue of the New England Journal of Medicine published reports from UCLA researchers who found that methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureas (MRSA) is being seen more and across hospitals in the nation. MRSA is resistant to those antibiotics most commonly used to treat skin infections, such as cephalexin and dicloxacillin.

MRSA was first noted in health care settings in the 1960’s, usually among those patients who had been hospitalized or were in nursing homes long term. In the past few years, however, a new type of MRSA has emerged; this type impacts people outside of health care settings.

This new strain has been reported among military recruits, correctional facility inmates, and among athletes. The infection is becoming more common in people who are not members of any particular high risk group.

Most often, this type of MRSA shows up as a boil or pimple on the skin which may be swollen, red, painful, and exhibit discharge or pus. If you find yourself with this kind of skin condition, be sure to seek medical attention and get proper treatment.