Treatment:

Draining the skin sore is often the only treatment needed for a local skin MRSA infection. This can be done at the doctor's office.

More serious MRSA infections, especially HA-MRSA infections, are becoming increasingly difficult to treat. Antibiotics that may still work include:

• Clindamycin
• Linezolid (Zyvox)
• Tetracycline (doxycycline)
• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS)
• Vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled)

It is important to finish all doses of antibiotics you have been given, even if you feel better before the final dose. Unfinished doses can lead to further drug resistance in the bacteria, or can cause an infection that seemed to be cured to return.

Other treatments may be needed for more serious infections. The person will be admitted to a hospital. Treatment may involve:

• Fluids and medications given through a vein
• Kidney dialysis (if kidney failure occurs)
• Oxygen

Support Groups:

For more information about MRSA, see the Centers for Disease Control web site: www.cdc.gov.

Expectations (prognosis):

How well a person does depends on the severity of the infection and their overall health. MRSA-related pneumonia and blood poisoning are associated with high death rates.

Complications:

Serious staph infections may lead to:

• Blood poisoning (sepsis)
• Cellulitis
• Infection of the heart valves (endocarditis)
• Pneumonia
• Toxic shock syndrome

Organ failure and death may result from untreated MRSA infections.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if:

• A wound seems to get worse rather than heal
• You have any other symptoms of staph infection