The pathophysiology of MRSA (But what in the world does that mean!?)

What does pathophysiology mean? Here's the definition from Merriam- Webster: "the physiology of abnormal states; specifically :  the functional changes that accompany a particular syndrome or disease". So, when we say what is the pathophysiology of MRSA, we're asking about the changes in the body that happen with a MRSA infection. 

Although the second half of the video goes into a bit of a tangent around medical waste and picking your nose, the first half gives a simplistic view of what a bacterial infection looks like. 

As the video shows, MRSA is especially concerning because of its resistant nature. Well, how does the resistance happen? How does a bacterium get so hardcore that it can fight off most antibiotics? Well, I think this visual explains it well: 

Essentially, when the bacteria multiply, like within our own cells, random mutations occurs. Some mutations do nothing, but some help the bacteria survive the attacks from medicine. Eventually, as those mutated bacteria continue to survive they end up being the only ones left and all of the bacteria can fight back against the medication that once killed them. 

If you're interested in reading a more detailed description of how this process happens in MRSA, please read this article: 

Pathogenesis of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection

References: 

Clinical Infectious Diseases. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2015, from http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/46/Supplement_5/S350.full

(n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2015, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathophysiology