MRSA interview
with Prof. Niels Feentved Ødum

by Markus Skiöld Østerud, 9.b Ordrup Skole (2015)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body. It's tougher to treat than most strains of staphylococcus aureus because it's resistant to some commonly used antibiotics.

MRSA infection
When something you trust fails.

MRSA infection is caused by a type of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics used to treat most staph infections. Staphylococcus bacteria live normally on the skin and mucous membranes (e.g., nose) in about 30 percent of people. When these bacteria enter the body (e.g., through a cut or break in the skin, or a surgical wound), they can cause staph infection.

The symptoms of MRSA depend on where you're infected. Most often, it causes mild infections on the skin, like sores or boils. But it can also cause more serious skin infections or infect surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs, or the urinary tract.

Though most MRSA infections aren't serious, some can be life-threatening. Many public health experts are alarmed by the spread of tough strains of MRSA. Because it's hard to treat, MRSA is sometimes called a "super bug."