Commonly asked questions about MSSA
What is MSSA?
Meticillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus
is a type of bacteria (germ) which lives
harmlessly on the skin and in the nose, in
about one third of people. People who have
MSSA on their bodies or in their noses are
said to be colonised.
However MSSA colonisation usually causes
them no problems, but can cause an infection
when it gets the opportunity to enter the
body. This is more likely to happen in people
who are already unwell. MSSA can cause
local infections such as abscesses or boils
and it can infect any wound that has caused
a break in the skin e.g. grazes, surgical
wounds.
MSSA can cause serious infections called
septicaemia (blood poisoning) where it gets
into the bloodstream.
However unlike MRSA, MSSA is more
sensitive to antibiotics and therefore easier to
treat.
How will I know if I have MSSA?
MSSA is found when swabs from skin, nose
or wounds or other specimens such as
urine or sputum. These are examined in the
hospital laboratory. Your nurse will inform you
if you have MSSA.
How did I get MSSA?
A third of the population carry
Staphylococcus aureus on their skin. MSSA
may have already been in your nose or on
your skin before you came into hospital
or you may have acquired it since your
admission.
How can MSSA spread from person to
person?
MSSA can be transferred from person to
person via touch. This is the most common
mode of spread. It can also be spread via
some of the equipment used to care for you
during your stay. In hospital there are many
patients in close proximity to one another,
therefore making the spread of MSSA easier.
How can spread be prevented in hospital?
Hospital staff and visitors must wash their
hands thoroughly before and after attending
to you, as hand hygiene is an important way
of controlling the spread of MSSA.
What is the treatment?
If you are having surgery such as a hip
replacement or cardiac surgery you will be
offered decolonisation treatment that will
significantly reduce the number of MSSA
bacteria on your body.
The type of treatment given to you will
depend on whether you are at home
or already in hospital. Both are equally
effective and you will be provided with clear
instructions on how to apply the treatment.
The doctors caring for you may also
prescribe antibiotics.
Can MSSA come back?
Yes, it can come back, unfortunately it may
not totally go away.
Can I have visitors?
MSSA does no harm to healthy people,
including pregnant women, children and
babies.
It can affect people who have certain long
term health conditions but if you have
concerns please ask the nurse in charge.
The most important thing for you and your
visitors to do is to ensure they wash their
hands after visiting you so that they do not
spread MSSA whilst in the hospital.
Will I have to stay in hospital longer?
There should be no problem with you being
discharged from hospital unless you have
a serious infection due to MSSA. If you
are on treatment the district nurse may be
contacted to ensure it is completed.
If you have any questions about the
information you have just read then please
do not hesitate to ask the nurse on your
ward for further information, or ask your
nurse to contact the Infection Prevention
team, who will come along to speak to you
and answer your questions.
Thank you for your cooperation.
