What it means
A person colonized with bacteria such as MRSAMUR-suh, or said as lettersMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a staph bacterium that many common antibiotics cannot kill.Full entry has no signs of infection but can still spread the germ to others, and can become infected if the germ enters a wound or the blood. Infection, by contrast, means the germ is invading tissue and causing illness.
For the nurse
Use the precautions your facility sets for colonized clients, and keep hands, equipment and surfaces clean.
At a glance
| Spanish | colonización |
|---|---|
| Also written | colonized |
Related terms
infectious disease
An illness caused by a germ such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite.
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a staph bacterium that many common antibiotics cannot kill.
asymptomatic
Having no symptoms: the person feels and seems well.
reservoir
A place where germs live and multiply, such as a person, animal, water or soil.