MRSA: 5 Alarming Symptoms Of This Scary Superbug

There are two main types of MRSA strains: HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA. The main difference between the two strains is that they produce different sets of toxins and have different methicillin resistance gene cassettes. These cassettes are basically carriers for antibiotic resistance genes. Essentially, they resist different natural antibodies and medications and cause different symptoms.

HA-MRSA, or health-care- or hospital-acquired MRSA, is more widely associated with being contracted in medical facilities. CA-MRSA, otherwise known as community-acquired MRSA, is more likely to be contracted via physical contact in daily life.

In terms of symptoms, HA-MRSA is known to cause more serious issues. Pneumonia, sepsis, urinary tract infections, fevers, chest pain, shortness of breath, and raging rash are some of the symptoms.

CA-MRSA, however, creates more skin issues, such as rashes, increased body hair, swollen lumps, and cellulitis.

CA-MRSA is contracted through personal contact via infected wounds, rashes, razors, unwashed items of clothing, or any skin-to-skin or item-to-skin contact. So if your friend has it, and you help apply aloe cream to your friend's mystery rash, then you might catch it yourself.

Similarly, HA-MRSA is also transferred through personal contact; however, since it's typically contracted in a medical setting, it's mainly contracted via surgical equipment and other medical apparatuses.

Around 90,000 Americans suffer from MRSA, and roughly 20,000 die annually. Those with weak immune systems and the elderly are most likely to contract the superbug.

It's even been shown that certain ethnic groups are more likely to contract the bug than others.

The most recognizable symptom of MRSA is bumps on the skin. The bumpy rash caused by the superbug can often look similar to chicken pox, acne, or even eczema. The bumps are usually tender, sore, and very itchy.

The lumps that look more like sores and wounds can easily be mistaken for spider bites and blisters, so whatever the rashes look like, see a doctor.

Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of skin, causing the flesh area to swell. So even if the first layer of skin looks OK, an infection could be hiding deep down.

The infection basically looks like a sunburn that has taken a more serious and painful turn, and it spreads quickly. The hands, feet, arms, and legs are most often affected.

Like most illnesses out there, MRSA can cause a hefty fever. If you're at the fever stage of the illness, then it's a sign that any medication you've taken just isn't working. This could be the stage when a doctor admits you to the hospital.

Alongside bumps and sores, another common symptom of MRSA is warm, itchy skin. The blood rushing to the infected area increases the temperature of the skin, as does constant scratching.

As uncomfortable as it is, try not to scratch. On top of antibiotics, your doctor will also prescribe a medicated cream or ointment to deal with the itch.

Any infected bumps, pimples, or sores will weep pus now and again, but with MRSA there's a lot of pus. On top of this, folliculitis (infected hair follicles) will often arise.

Just like with scratching the rashes, the urge to pop the pus pods will be strong, as will the urge to pull out the hairs stuck in the middle. But both could lead to the infection getting worse and spreading to other patches of skin.

With any scary symptoms, your first priority is not to panic. The second priority is to call your doctor and book an appointment. In the meantime, take note of all the symptoms and sensations your body is experiencing.

Also, be sure to think back to how you might have contracted it. Did you recently have a long hospital stay? Did you take a dip in a hot tub with friends? Did you hug an itchy kid? Did you help wrap a bandage around your partner's wound? Asking yourself questions like this can help you find the root of the infection — and help warn those around you they might also be infected.

Avoiding spread of the infection is also paramount. Cover your rashes and wounds, try not to touch anyone while undergoing initial treatment, wash everything, and try to avoid community activities that are physical, such as sports and dancing.

Part of the reason why MRSA is such a serious and difficult illness is that it resists a lot of antibiotics out there. So treatment can be a little complicated for many patients.

Trimethoprim, clindamycin, sulfamethoxazole, and rifampin are some of the antibiotics widely used to treat MRSA, as they have a better track record for recovery than amoxicillin and penicillin. Mupirocin cream can also be used to soothe infected rashes.

General painkillers and soothing treatments such as heat packs and ice packs are always useful, too.

Preventing MRSA is a mix of luck and common sense. Washing your skin and clothes regularly is the first step, as is avoiding contact with the rashes and wounds of others. Covering your own wounds is also vital.

Oh, and be sure to clean your phone regularly, too!

Then again, sometimes you might come in contact with someone you have no idea has the bug. You could hold someone's hand on a blind date, not knowing that person has a rash on that arm. The person might not know what it is and assume it's just eczema.

But the risk of that isn't too likely, so just keep clean and carry on.

Again, it's common sense, but we all have those times when we don't wash our hands as well as we should.

If you aren't sure about the cleanliness of your hands, then carry a bottle of hand sanitizer with you.

In terms of clothes, just try to avoid squeezing "one more wear" out of your favorite jeans before you wash them; it's just not worth it.

This is pretty much a no-brainer, as no one really likes to walk around with open wounds. Obviously, your wounds need to meet the air now and again to be able to heal, but if you're going outside or in physical contact with someone, get that cut covered.

Once the wound has stopped bleeding, take the bandages off when you're alone and aren't touching anything that could carry infection.

Like any illness or cluster of random symptoms, you'll always be better off going to your doctor for a diagnosis. It's better to go and discover you just have a hay fever rash than to stay at home and soon realize you're deathly ill.

You're not wasting the doctor's time, and you might actually be saving your life.

Be sure to tell the doctor everything — your symptoms, what you've been up to lately (contact sports, swimming, etc.), and how much pain you're suffering from. And if the symptoms persist, go back for more care.