How to Identify Symptoms of MRSA

Co-authored by Chris M. Matsko, MD

Last Updated: December 17, 2023 Approved

MRSA, short for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a particular strain of the staphylococcal (staph) group of bacteria that normally reside on the skin. It is often referred to as a superbug, since it is resistant to methicillin, the antibiotic that kills most staph bacteria. Although it can live on your skin without any problem, if it invades your body via a scratch or cut, it can cause serious infections. These infections often look similar to many other, more benign infections, and without treatment they can become very dangerous. Read on and learn how to identify the symptoms of MRSA.

Recognizing Symptoms

MRSA is a serious infection, and can be dangerous if untreated. Look for the following symptoms and seek medical attention:

Area	Symptoms
Skin	Breaks in skin, bumps, inflamed areas, rash, necrosis in severe cases
Pus	Fluid-filled bumps, boils, abscesses, stye (eyelid)
Fever	Temperatures over 100.4°F, body chills
Head	Headache and fatigue may accompany a serious infection
Kidney/Bladder	A UTI may be a sign of a spreading infection
Lungs	Coughing or shortness of breath may indicate a spreading infection

Part 1

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Identifying Early Symptoms

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MRSA infections are common where there are cuts or wounds in the skin. Look close to hair follicles. It is also common in hairy areas of the skin, such as the beard area, back of the neck, armpit, groin, legs, scalp, or buttocks.^{[1]
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Watch for bumps or reddened and inflamed skin. MRSA manifests as a bump or sore area on the skin. Many times this can be confused with insect bites, such as spider bites, or it may look like a pimple. Pay attention to any areas of skin that are red, inflamed, painful, or hot to the touch.^{[2]
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- Keep an eye on minor bumps, cuts, scrapes, and redness. If they become infected, see your doctor.^{[3]
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Look for cellulitis. MRSA can lead to cellulitis, which is an infection of the layers and tissues beneath the skin, which looks like a widespread swollen rash. This causes the skin to look pink or red. The skin may be warm, tender, or swollen.^{[4]
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- Cellulitis can start out as small red bumps. Some areas of the skin may look like a bruise.^{[5]
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A rash is reddish colored areas on the skin. If you have widespread red areas, watch it carefully. If it is hot to the touch, spreads quickly, or painful, you may want to see your doctor.^{[6]
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Looking for Pus

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If you have a bump or lesion, look for a fluid filled cavity that is movable and compressible. Look for a yellow or white center with a head. There might also be draining pus.^{[7]
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Boils are pus-filled infections of the hair follicles. Check in your scalp for bumps. Also check any other places with hair, like your groin, neck, and armpit.^{[8]
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Look out for abscesses. An abscess is a painful pus-filled lump in or under the skin. An abscess might require surgical drainage in addition to antibiotics.^{[9]
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- Keep an eye out for carbuncles. Carbuncles are large abscesses that has pus draining from them.^{[10]
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A stye is an infection of the oil glands of the eyelid. This causes inflammation and redness on the eye and eyelid. The stye can be internal or external. The lump will usually have a whitish or yellowish head that looks like a pimple.^{[11]
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Impetigo is a pus blister on the skin. These pus blisters can be large in size. They may burst and leave a honey-colored crust around the infected area.^{[12]
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Handling a Severe Case

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If your doctor has diagnosed you with staph infection and given you antibiotics, your condition should improve within two to three days. If you do not see any improvement, there is a chance that you have MRSA. Once you are colonized with MRSA it is likely that you can become reinfected more easily. ^{[13]
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Research source} Keep an eye on your condition, and be prepared to return to your doctor on short notice.
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Watch out for headaches, fever, and fatigue. Any of these symptoms might indicate a serious infection when coupled with a staph or MRSA diagnosis. The combination may feel similar to flu symptoms. You may also experience some dizziness and confusion.
- Take your temperature if you think you might be running a fever.^{[14]
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Notice the signs of a deeper MRSA infection. As the infection spreads through your body, it can choke the lungs; inflame your urinary tract; and even begin to eat your flesh. Untreated MRSA can result in necrotizing fasciitis, a rare but horrific flesh-eating disease.
- Notice the signs that MRSA has spread to the lungs. If the infection is still undetected and left untreated, there is a risk that it can spread to the lungs. Look out for coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.^{[16]
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- A high fever and body chills, possibly accompanied by urinary tract infection, are signs that the MRSA has spread to other organs of the body, such as the kidneys and urinary tract.
- Necrotizing fasciitis is very rare, but not unheard-of. This may manifest as a severe pain in the infected area.
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Seek treatment immediately. If you think that you're infected with any stage of MRSA, act as quickly as possible before the bacteria eats its way any deeper into your system. Even if you aren't sure: ask a doctor. MRSA can be a serious and life-threatening condition, and it isn't worth it to take any chances.
- Treatment for community-acquired MRSA is Bactrim and if you are hospitalized it is IV vancomycin.

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Question

I have had MRSA twice. How do I know if bumps under my armpit are MRSA?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

You have to be very careful if you have already been colonized with MRSA. You cannot be sure just by looking at the bumps if they are MRSA or not. You have to get a tissue sample/culture. Usually bumps are pus filled and erythematous, which are more likely to be MRSA.

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Is MRSA usually treatable when diagnosed? Will it always prevent a person from working?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

MRSA is very treatable. Treatment for community acquired MRSA is Bactrim. You should practice good hygiene, and stay away from infants and small children. Unless you are a healthcare worker, it should not prevent you from working.

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Some of these symptoms are serious enough to require medical attention regardless of whether or not they are MRSA related.

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If your doctor gives you antibiotics, it is essential that you finish the whole course of medication, even if the symptoms seem to be clearing up.

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If you think you have any of these symptoms, such as a boil or abscess, cover it with a bandage and call a doctor. Never attempt to drain it yourself, as you could spread the infection to other areas. Your doctor will drain it if necessary.

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Warnings

If you have a compromised immune system, you are at greater risk of suffering from the more severe symptoms of MRSA, and the infection is more likely to prove fatal.

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MRSA is too hard for you to identify on your own. If you suspect you have any of these symptoms, call a doctor. The doctor will carry out the diagnostic tests to decide whether or not you have the disease.

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If you have abscesses, boils, or other suspicious skin marks, don't poke at it or try to "pop" it.

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