Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria resistant to several widely used antibiotics, particularly those in the penicillin class. This resistance makes MRSA infections significantly more difficult to treat than other staph strains. While MRSA often begins as a mild skin infection, its ability to evade common treatments allows it to progress into severe, invasive, and potentially life-threatening diseases.
The Lethality of MRSA
A person can die from an MRSA infection, particularly when it progresses beyond the skin surface into the bloodstream or internal organs. While many cases are mild skin infections that respond to treatment, antibiotic resistance creates a precarious situation. If the bacteria are not contained, they can spread rapidly throughout the body, overwhelming the host’s system.
Mortality rates vary widely depending on the infection’s type and location. Invasive MRSA bloodstream infections are the most dangerous and are associated with a higher rate of death. For bloodstream infections, the mortality rate is notably higher in healthcare-associated cases (HA-MRSA) than in community-acquired cases (CA-MRSA). One study found the 30-day mortality rate for bloodstream infections was 18.7% for healthcare-associated cases, compared to 11.7% for community-acquired cases.
How MRSA Becomes Life-Threatening
MRSA becomes life-threatening when antibiotic resistance allows the bacteria to spread from a localized site into the bloodstream (bacteremia), seeding infections in distant, vital organs. This systemic spread is difficult to stop because the bacteria are unaffected by first-line antibiotics. Unchecked, the infection can trigger severe conditions leading to death.
One devastating outcome is sepsis, the body’s overwhelming response to the infection. Sepsis causes widespread inflammation, tissue damage, and organ failure, often leading to septic shock and low blood pressure. The bacteria can also cause necrotizing pneumonia, a severe lung infection that rapidly destroys lung tissue.
The infection may also target the heart, causing endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining or valves). MRSA endocarditis is serious and associated with a high rate of death. The bacteria can also settle in bone tissue, causing osteomyelitis, an infection difficult to eradicate. These deep-seated infections require aggressive, specialized antibiotic regimens and sometimes surgery to clear the infection.
Identifying High-Risk Patients
The risk of a severe, life-threatening MRSA infection is not distributed equally. Certain groups and underlying conditions make individuals more susceptible to the invasive, fatal forms of the disease. Hospitalized patients, particularly those in intensive care units (ICUs) or long-term care facilities, face the highest risk.
Invasive medical devices, such as urinary catheters, intravenous lines, or ventilators, provide a direct pathway for the bacteria to enter the bloodstream, bypassing natural defenses. Age is another predictor of poor outcomes; the elderly, particularly those over 65, have significantly higher mortality rates from MRSA bloodstream infections compared to younger individuals.
Individuals with compromised immune systems are also vulnerable, including those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, or people with chronic conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or HIV. These underlying health issues impair the body’s ability to fight the infection, allowing MRSA to progress rapidly. Any break in the skin, such as surgical wounds, open sores, or burns, increases the likelihood of a severe infection.
Reducing the Risk of Fatal Infection
Minimizing the risk of a fatal MRSA infection depends on prompt action and rigorous hygiene. Seeking medical attention immediately for painful, swollen, or draining skin lesions is paramount, as early diagnosis prevents the infection from progressing to an invasive stage. Healthcare providers can determine the appropriate course of action, which may involve draining the infection and prescribing specific antibiotics effective against MRSA.
If antibiotics are prescribed, taking the full course exactly as directed is necessary, even if symptoms improve quickly. Stopping treatment prematurely can leave stronger bacteria behind, increasing the chances of recurrence and further resistance. Good hand and body hygiene are foundational preventive measures, including frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water, especially after being in a healthcare setting.
Keeping all cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until fully healed helps prevent the bacteria from entering the body. Personal items that contact the skin, such as towels, razors, and washcloths, should never be shared.
Recognizing early warning signs of systemic infection, such as fever, chills, confusion, or difficulty breathing, is important. These signs indicate a potential life-threatening complication like sepsis that requires emergency medical care.