Definition: MRSA is an abbreviation for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that has become resistant to many antibiotics, including methicillin, penicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalosporins.
Although once limited to hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities, MRSA infections are now very common among healthy children and adults in the community. Many of these staph infections present as skin infections including impetigo, boils, and abscesses.
Pronunciation: M.R.S.A. - not MUR-SA!
Also Known As: Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
Alternate Spellings: Community-Associated MRSA
Common Misspellings: Methicillin Resistant Staff Aureus
Examples:
Our pediatrician suspected that my son's leg abscess wasn't getting better because it was caused by MRSA. He said that it may need to be drained or that he would need to be changed to a stronger antibiotic, like Bactrim or Clindamycin.
