According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a bacterial infection that causes a red, swollen, painful area on skin (pimple, rash, boil, injury or surgical site, etc.) that does not heal on its own. It is highly resistant to some antibiotics. Symptoms of MRSA include drainage of pus or other fluids, fever, skin abscess, warmth around the infected area, which can lead to chest pain, chills, cough, fatigue, fever, malaise, diarrhea, weight loss, back pain, headaches and muscle aches, rash and shortness of breath.

MRSA naturally lives on skin and does not effect healthy individuals; however, if a person has a weakened immune system and when this bacteria is introduced internally through nasal passages, through a cut, sore, catheter or breathing tube, causing skin infections (as above), it can become a serious health issue (the root cause of a person's illness/disease). It is statistically more prevalent in long-term elder care patients, HIV-infected patients and dialysis patients.

MRSA infections are grouped into two types:

Healthcare associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) occurs in those recently hospitalized or receiving treatment in any other type of health care facility. Those hospitalized or who had surgery within the past year are at increased risk, as MRSA bacteria are responsible for a large percentage of HA-MRSA.

Community associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) occurs in healthy people who have not recently been treated in a hospital or other type of health care facility. This type of infection occurs frequently among athletes who share equipment or personal items and children in daycare facilities or other group facilities. Members of the military and those who receive tattoos are also at risk. CA-MRSA incidents are increasing.

MRSA is diagnosed through blood culture, culture of the drainage from the wound site, skin culture from the wound site, sputum culture, urine culture. How well a person does in overcoming MRSA depends upon their general health. MRSA-related pneumonia, blood infections, cellulitis, infected heart valves and toxic shock syndrome are associated with high death rates, due to organ failure.

Treatment usually involves draining the area, which may be done in a doctor's office; however, more serious MRSA infections are becoming more wide-spread and difficult to treat. Antibiotics that are being used, because they may have some positive effect: Clindamycin, Daptomycin, Doxycycline, Linezolid (Zyvox), Minocycline, Tetracycline, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS), Vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled). Hospitalization could be required for introduction of medications and fluids via IV, kidney dialysis (if kidney failure occurs) and oxygen.

MRSA may be prevented by employing common-sense habits, such as washing hands regularly (including making certain that all healthcare workers wash their hands before touching you), not sharing personal items (food, drink, towels, razors, etc.) with others, cover all wounds with bandages to avoid any contact with others, clean with an antiseptic solution, all sporting equipment, cell phones, telephones, computer keyboards/mouse, car steering wheels, etc.

Side-effects of the Antibiotics that CAN help:

Clindamycin: nausea, vomiting, joint pain, pain when swallowing, heartburn, white patches in the mouth, thick, white vaginal discharge, burning, itching, swelling of vagina, blisters, rash, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, yellowing of the skin or eyes, decreased urination. RED BOX WARNING for Clindamycin-

Daptomycin: moderate to severe diarrhea or constipation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, headaches, increased sweating, redness, pain or swelling at injection site, unusual weight gain, muscle weakness/pain, numbness, burning, tingling of hands/feet, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, dizziness, pale skin, confusion, extreme tiredness

Doxycycline: diarrhea, vaginal or rectal itching, sore mouth, severe headache, blurred vision, skin rash, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, redness of skin, yellowing skin/eyes (jaundice – liver damage), itching, dark colored urine, light colored bowels movements, loss of appetite, upset stomach, vomiting, stomach pain, extreme tiredness or weakness, confusion, decreased urination.

Linezolid (Zyvox): moderate to severe diarrhea or constipation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, headaches, increased sweating, redness, pain or swelling at injection site, unusual weight gain, muscle weakness/pain, numbness, burning, tingling of hands/feet, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, dizziness, pale skin, confusion, extreme tiredness

Minocycline: rectal or vaginal itching, diarrhea, dizziness or lightheadedness, furry darkening/black tongue (fungal overgrowth), redness or changes of skin color, hearing loss or ringing in ears, severe headache, blurred vision, skin rash, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, redness of skin, yellowing skin/eyes (jaundice – liver damage), joint stiffness/tiredness, itching, dark colored urine, light colored bowels movements, loss of appetite, upset stomach, vomiting, stomach pain, extreme tiredness or weakness, confusion, decreased urination.

Tetracycline: upset stomach, diarrhea, rectal or vaginal itching, diarrhea, sore mouth, dizziness or lightheadedness, fever or chills, redness or changes of skin color, hearing loss or ringing in ears, severe headache, blurred vision, skin rash, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, redness of skin, yellowing skin/eyes (jaundice – liver damage), joint stiffness/tiredness, itching, dark colored urine, light colored bowels movements, loss of appetite, upset stomach, vomiting, stomach pain, extreme tiredness or weakness, confusion, decreased urination.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS): upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, rash/hives, itching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, sore throat, fever or chills, mouth sores, unusual bruising or bleeding, yellowing of skin/eyes, paleness, joint aches, bluish fingernails, lips or skin.

Vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled): upset stomach, sore throat, fever, chills and other signs of infection, hives, skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, redness of skin above the waist, pain and muscle tightness of the chest and back, unusual bleeding or bruising, fainting, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in ears

PLEASE NOTE, IF YOU HAVE A NEGATIVE REACTION USING ANY MEDICATION, CONTACT THE FDA OR LOCAL POISON CONTROL CENTER:

If you experience a serious side effect, you are encouraged to file a report with the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

VITAGANZA SUGGESTIONS TO PREVENT OR AID IN RESOLUTION OF MRSA (both preventative and therapeutic doses):

Increase proper immune system function by using Vital ImmuSol or NSC-100 (2 at bedtime preventatively; 2 upon rising and 2 at bedtime therapeutically – for severe situations, add a third dose in the middle of the day; best on an empty stomach; capsules may be opened into feeding tubes or mixed into lukewarm water and administered).

Aid with fighting overgrowth of bacteria, fungus, viruses, parasites, etc. by consuming probiotics, such as FloraMax50 for those who can swallow capsules or Ultra Micro-Plex powder for those who cannot swallow capsules – FloraMax50 (2-3 at bedtime preventatively; 2 upon rising and 2 at bedtime therapeutically – for severe situations, add a third dose in the middle of the day; best on an empty stomach). Ultra Micro-Plex (1/2 tsp mixed into lukewarm water sometime between dinner and bedtime preventatively; ½ teaspoon upon rising and ½ teaspoon at bedtime therapeutically – for severe situations, add a third dose in the middle of the day; best on an empty stomach). IF TAKING ANTIBIOTICS: take 1 capsule or mix ¼ teaspoon in lukewarm water TWO hours after each dose of antibiotics PLUS take a therapeutic dose at bedtime, at least 2 hours after the last antibiotic dose.

Rotate the strongest anti-microbial products monthly:

Oregamax – 2 capsules 3 times per day with food for one month, then rotate to…

Immucleanse – 2 capsules 3 times per day with food for second month, then rotate to…

Wormwood Combination - 3 capsules 3 times per day with food for third month, then IF NECESSARY TO CONTINUE, rotate back to Oregamax, etc.

Drink plenty of water (not to be confused with tea, coffee or other beverages that incorporate water - there is NO substitute for water!)

Change your diet to eliminate all sugars and foods/beverages that convert to sugar through the digestion process; sugar feeds bacteria, fungus, viruses, parasites and all microbial infections/overgrowths. Please see the Anti-fungal Diet under "Diets and Cleanses" in this KnowledgeBase. Diets and Cleanses – Anti-Fungal Diet: http://kb.vitaganza.com/questions/48/Anti-Fungal+Diet+Recommendations