MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) is a biological agent that's responsible for difficult-to-treat infections in humans and other mammals. It's more commonly called the "MRSA super bug", and there are two kinds: hospital-acquired (HA- MRSA), and community-acquired (CA-MRSA). Originated in the UK, it's now becoming an epidemic. It can survive on surfaces and fabrics, therefore complete sanitation is necessary in areas where patients are recovering from invasive procedures. It has very uncomfortable symptoms, attacking skin and openings in the body, and it can be deadly. It's a variation of the bacterium " staphylococcus aureus", which amazingly, has evolved to survive several medial treatments, which is what makes this "super bug" so threatening. For example, it can survive common beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillin and methicillin.
MRSA is commonly contracted at hospitals, where people with open wounds and weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to infection (which is usually due to improper sanitary procedures). Frequent trips to the hospital significantly increase one's risk of being infected, however it can be contracted anywhere and at any time. A 2007 study found that 4.6% of patients in U.S. health care facilities were infected or colonized with MRSA. Meanwhile, it is estimated that approximately 94,000 Americans contract MRSA each year, killing roughly 19,000 of them. This means its killing more people than AIDS. Also called "oxacillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus" (ORSA).
