What is MRSA Virus?

MRSA Virus

Many people think that MRSA is a type of virus, this is not the case. It is in fact, not an MRSA virus but a bacterial infection from a particular “superbug” strain of the bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus. The term MRSA is an acronym that stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Methicillin is a type of Penicillin antibiotic but it is important to note that MRSA infections can be resistant to a variety of antibiotics, not just Methicillin.

What’s the difference between MRSA virus and bacteria?

The word virus takes its name form the Latin meaning Toxin or Poison. It is a sub-microscopic entity that is unable to reproduce or grow without a host cell. Not all viruses cause disease and whereas some viruses like HIV can cause devastation to the host, others can reproduce without any obvious signs at all. Antibiotics have no affect at all on viruses but vaccines and specially formulated anti-viral drugs can provide prevention and treatment. Bacteria on the other hand, are micro-organisms that can grow and reproduce on their own without the need for a host cell. Bacteria respond to antibiotic treatments which is why MRSA developed.

Is there or could there be an MRSA virus?

No. There are no MRSA viruses; MRSA is quite simply a bacterial infection that has become immune to a selection of antibiotics. Because MRSA is bacterial it can respond well to antibiotics but it is resistant to other antibiotics that were commonly used on the original Staphylococcus Aureus bacterial strain before. A virus does not involve bacteria and does not respond at all to antibiotics.

Why is it often called the MRSA virus?

MRSA is only often referred to as the MRSA virus because many people do not know the difference between bacteria and viruses and what MRSA really is. Many people also do not know what MRSA stands for (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). MRSA awareness is however on the rise as the increase in MRSA cases has highlighted the problem and brought this bacterial infection into the open. Unfortunately, it is only because of the growing problems our hospitals are facing today with MRSA treatment and prevention that the media is focusing on this infection. MRSA has actually been reported as far back as the 1960’s in numerous countries. Because we primarily treat MRSA with antibiotics this potentially intensifies this problem causing stronger more resistant strain of MRSA.