What it measures
Swabs are grown in the lab to see whether they carry Staphylococcus aureus that resists meticillin and related antibiotics (MRSA). Many people carry it on the skin or in the nose without any symptoms.
Why people test it
- Offered before some operations; the NHS says people due for surgery may be screened before going into hospital.
- Asked for by some care homes, employers and clinics before admission or starting work.
Typical range
Reported as MRSA isolated or not isolated (detected or not detected) for each swab site. Methods vary between labs, and your report shows how the lab reads the result.
Finger-prick or vein?
Swabs, not blood, usually from the nose, throat, armpits or groin. Offered as a kit only, with the swabs taken and posted to the lab.