A primer on MRSA and Lemierre's syndrome
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to common antibiotics. Once contained to hospitals and health-care settings, the bacteria is now found in schools, gyms, day care centers and jails. Most MRSA infections are on the skin and are treatable, but they can be life-threatening when the bacteria enters the bloodstream.
Skin infections begin as a pimple, boil or something that resembles a large, red spider bite. Infections commonly occur at breaks in the skin.
MRSA and other skin infections are common among athletes who have skin-to-skin contact, such as wrestlers, and football and rugby players. However, anyone living in close quarters or sharing equipment where the MRSA bacteria lives could be at risk.
Hand-washing, showering after sports, and wearing clean, dry clothes can help prevent the spread of MRSA. Cleaning and disinfecting athletic equipment and properly covering breaks in the skin are recommended.
Lemierre’s syndrome is an extremely rare disease caused by a bacterial infection of the mouth or throat that travels to the jugular vein and forms a large, bacteria-filled blood clot that carries the infection to other parts of the body.
Initial symptoms of Lemierre’s are very similar to the flu and strep throat. These are followed, several days to two weeks later, by extreme lethargy, spiked fevers and a swollen, tender or painful neck. Often there is abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting during this phase.
Most cases occur in otherwise healthy children and young adults.
If a sore throat worsens after treatment, medical attention is advised. The disease is treated with intravenous antibiotics. Compiled by Candice Ferrette; Sources: Mayo Clinic; New York State Health Department; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Annals of Emergency Medicine
