What is MRSA, how is the antibiotic-resistant superbug spread and can it be treated?
The potentially deadly bacteria is often carried on the skin and inside the nostrils and throat
MRSA is a deadly bacterial superbug that is resistant to a number of antibiotics and incredibly difficult to treat.
It can be spread easily in hospitals and becomes harder to tackle with each patient it infects. Here's what we know...
What is MRSA?
MRSA is a deadly antibiotic-resistant superbug called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
The bacteria is carried on the skin and inside the nostrils and throat.
It can cause mild infections of the skin such as boils and impetigo.
If the bacteria gets into a break in the skin it can cause life threatening infections.
How do you get MRSA?
It is usually spread through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has an infection or has the bacteria living on their skin.
The bacteria can also spread through contact with contaminated objects such as towels, sheets, clothes, dressings, surfaces, door handles and floors.
People in hospitals are most at risk as the bacteria can spread easily due to lost of people visiting them, there is often a clear way for bacteria to get into the body such as a surgical wound and they will be vulnerable to infection.
How do you prevent MRSA?
Make sure you wash your hands frequently, especially after using the toilet.
Follow any advice given about wound care and devices that can lead to infection.
Report any unclean toilet or bathroom facilities to staff.
Before and after visiting someone in hospital clean your hand before and after entering the ward.
How is MRSA treated?
You must use an antibacterial wash to clean your body, with antibacterial cream and shampoo to clean the inside of your nose and scalp.
This should be done one or more times a day for five days, using a clean towel to dry with each time.
Wear a new set of clothes each day and try to change your bedding daily.
If you've become infected with MRSA in hospital it is likely you will need to be isolated, as a number of different antibiotics are used.
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How can the bug be killed with light?
Scientists say they are making advances with a technique where they use light to activate oxygen — which then wipes out antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
US researchers say that the method could also be used to treat other microbial infections — and possibly even cancer.
Dr Peng Zhang, of the University of Cincinnati, said the treatment could be used as a spray or gel.
And he said that once it is sprayed on to a surface, medical professionals would be able to use blue or red light on it to show up bacteria — and then just wipe it away.
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