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MRSA and Staph Infections in Children

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is one of many strains of a bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus -- or staph, for short. Staph bacteria are common on skin and in noses. Staph infection was first reported in humans more than 40 years ago.

In the past, staph rarely caused big problems, except for minor skin infections. And these infections could be treated effectively with antibiotics. But in recent years, there has been a big increase in antibiotic-resistant strains such as MRSA, even in children. For example, head and neck MRSA infections in children more than doubled during a five-year period.

It's important to know how to help prevent MRSA in children and what to do if you suspect your child has it.

MRSA Slideshow: A Closer Look at MRSA

Why MRSA in Kids Is a Concern

Why is MRSA more of a concern today than in the past? Being resistant to antibiotics is one big reason. And today, MRSA is infecting healthy people, including children -- not just those with weakened immune system, as in the past. This type of MRSA is called community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). That's because it affects people in the community, outside of hospitals and nursing homes. And, with more cases of community-associated MRSA, more children with MRSA have been admitted to hospitals.

CA-MRSA usually causes skin infections. Although rare, MRSA can also cause more serious infections such as pneumonia.

Who's most at risk of getting CA-MRSA? Children (or adults) who come into close contact with other people in places like:

day care centers
playgrounds
locker rooms
classrooms and other school settings
gymnasiums
workout facilities

In these kinds of settings, MRSA in toddlers, MRSA in children, and MRSA in teens is more likely because kids have skin-to-skin contact and may share equipment that has not been cleaned. Children are also more likely to have frequent scrapes or bug bites -- potential entryways for infection.

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