Signs and Symptoms of MRSA Infection

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). National MRSA education initiative: Preventing MRSA skin infections. http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/mrsa_initiative/skin_infection/index.html. Retrieved October 28, 2009.

Skin and soft-tissue MRSA infections first present as furuncles (infected hair follicles), carbuncles (coalesced furuncles), and abcesses that may be red, swollen, warm, painful, pus-filled, and exhibit purulent drainage. Infected persons may also be febrile. More severe cases can lead to subcutaneous connective tissue inflammation, bone infection (osteomyelitis), urinary tract infection, pneumonia, and sepsis. The most common sites for MRSA skin infection are the legs, groin, buttocks, neck, and axillary region. Patient complaints of a spider bite are often indicative of staph infections such as MRSA.

Common "bug bite" appearance of MRSA infection

MRSA infection with mild cellulitus

MRSA infection with acne-like appearance

Draining MRSA abcesses

Severe MRSA abcesses