Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common type of staph bacteria that resists several antibiotics typically used to treat staph infections. Although many people carry this bacteria on their skin without issue, it can cause infection if it enters the body through a break in the skin. Recognizing the signs of an active MRSA infection is important because its resistance makes it difficult to treat, and early detection can prevent serious complications. A frequent concern involves whether this infection has a distinct smell, which people often look for to identify a problem requiring medical attention.
The Truth About MRSA and Odor
The Staphylococcus aureus bacteria itself does not produce a unique odor that can be used to reliably identify an MRSA infection. Instead, any noticeable smell from a wound is typically a byproduct of biological processes occurring in a severe, complicated infection, regardless of the specific bacterial cause. A strong or foul odor is usually the result of metabolic waste products, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), released by various bacteria thriving in a wound environment.
When a wound is deep, necrotic, or contains a large abscess, it can create an environment with low oxygen levels where anaerobic bacteria flourish. These bacteria produce highly odorous compounds like sulfides and certain amines as they break down tissue. The odor is generally not a practical identifier for the average person. The presence of a bad smell simply signals a severe infection that requires immediate professional evaluation.
Visual Signs of a Localized Skin Infection
Most MRSA infections begin as a skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI), often resembling an ordinary pimple, a boil, or even a spider bite. These lesions often start as a small, red bump that is painful and rapidly worsens over a few days. The area will typically become swollen, warm to the touch, and may fill with pus or cloudy fluid.
A key indicator that differentiates a potential MRSA lesion from a common blemish is the speed of its growth and the intensity of the symptoms. The pain associated with an MRSA lesion is often described as disproportionately severe compared to the visual appearance of the bump. As the infection progresses, the area may develop into a deep, painful abscess that requires draining.
The swelling and redness can increase rapidly, and the skin surrounding the bump may feel unusually hot. You should not try to pick at or pop the sore, as the pus inside is highly contagious and can spread the bacteria to other areas of the body or to other people.
Recognizing Signs of a Spreading Infection
If the localized skin infection is not successfully contained, the bacteria can spread deeper into the body, leading to a systemic infection. This progression is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate care. The most common sign of a spreading infection is the development of a fever, often accompanied by chills.
Flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, body aches, and joint pain, can indicate that the infection has entered the bloodstream. A particularly alarming sign is the appearance of red streaks extending outward from the original wound site, which indicates that the infection is traveling through the lymphatic system.
Other signs of systemic illness include shortness of breath, a rapid heart rate, or confusion. If the infection is left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening conditions like sepsis. Any development of these widespread symptoms warrants an immediate visit to a healthcare facility.
Next Steps for Confirmation and Care
If you suspect you have an MRSA infection, especially if the skin lesion is rapidly worsening or accompanied by systemic symptoms, you should contact a healthcare provider promptly. A provider cannot diagnose MRSA simply by looking at the wound; a definitive diagnosis requires a laboratory test. The provider will take a sample of tissue or fluid from the infected site using a swab and send it to a lab to be cultured.
The culture test confirms the presence of bacteria and determines if the strain is resistant to common antibiotics, which is how MRSA is identified. While waiting for the lab results, your provider may begin treatment, often involving draining the abscess or boil. For localized skin infections, drainage may be the only treatment necessary, but more serious cases require specific antibiotics effective against MRSA, such as vancomycin. To prevent the spread of the bacteria, keep the wound covered with a clean, dry bandage and practice frequent handwashing.