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Patients with meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection: twenty-first century lepers.
J Hosp Infect. 2010 Mar 15;
Authors: Mozzillo KL, Ortiz N, Miller LG
In the recent past, there has been a rapid increase in the incidence of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, especially community-associated (CA)-MRSA. Many media descriptions of MRSA are sensational and focus on its potential for severe disease and contagiousness. Our objective is to describe psychological and social morbidity associated with MRSA infection via a case series of five patients with CA-MRSA infection. We also analyse the resulting stigmatisation associated with being diagnosed with MRSA infection. We learned that patients describe a variety of stigmatisation related to their diagnosis of MRSA, including being shunned at home and in the workplace. Patients describe being asked by family, colleagues, and clients to take extraordinary measures to prevent MRSA transmission. Consequences of MRSA diagnoses have included erosion or termination of key personal and business relationships. In conclusion, stigmatisation resulting from the diagnosis of MRSA can have profound personal and social morbidity. Media and public health awareness of MRSA infection needs to be balanced with information about how MRSA transmission is usually preventable with simple hygienic measures.
PMID: 20236730 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]