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Signs and Symptoms

Hospital-acquired MRSA

In the hospital, MRSA can cause very serious infections that spread to vital parts of the body. Depending on the location of the infection, it can cause signs and symptoms associated with:

  • Pneumonia - coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing
  • Blood infection (bacteraemia) - fever, chills, rapid breathing
  • Infection of surgical sites or intravenous access sites - redness, swelling and pain
Community-acquired MRSA

In the community, MRSA infections most commonly affect the skin. They often appear:

  • Initially as small red bumps that look like pimples or spider bites
  • As red, swollen, painful pustules with draining fluid or pus
  • In areas with cuts or abrasions of the skin
  • In areas of the skin with hair, such as the back of the neck, groin or armpit

Last Review Date: April 14, 2016