MRSA

MRSA Infection Prognosis

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the outcome (prognosis) of MRSA infection varies according to the severity of the infection and the general condition of the person who has the infection. MRSA pneumonia and blood poisoning have high death rates; the calculated death rate of invasive MRSA is about 20%. People with good general health who have mild CA-MRSA that is appropriately treated recover in almost every case. Data on recurrence is sparse. The recurrence rate of MRSA infection in mild cases is thought to be very low, but some investigators report that patients may be carriers for up to 30 months. One group of investigators reports a 21% recurrence rate in HIV patients nine months after the initial diagnosis. Other investigators report a recurrence rate of 41% in individuals with MRSA skin infections. Most investigators agree that strict hygiene helps reduce the risk of recurrent infections.