Wash Hands Before Pushing MRSA Panic Button
Every so often an alarming health story erupts onto the media landscape with such intensity, such ferocity that specialist and subspecialist physicians need to climb out of their cozy, secure enclaves and join forces with the entire medical community to share what they know.As someone who is deeply nested within the health care matrix, it's good to get out of my cubbyhole and enjoy some fresh air. So long as the air isn't contaminated with MRSA!
MRSA is a familiar abbreviation for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Translation: A bacteria that is very hard to kill. Resistance means the bacteria adapted and it developed a way to prevent the antibiotic Methicillin from interfering with cell wall synthesis. Imagine a neighbor who was trying to prevent you from erecting a sturdy privacy fence on your property. Wouldn't you adapt and devise a scheme to get your privacy fence built?
The whole topic of drug-resistant bacteria has been around for decades. It was discussed when I was in medical school (think Jimmy Carter), but at the time it was mostly theoretical - clinical examples were fairly uncommon and manageable.
When an organisim becomes resistant to antibiotic #1 go with antibiotic #2, right? Originally, there were alternative antibiotics to treat these stubborn infections but over time more and more resistant strains evolved. Eventually the medicine cabinet can become empty.
So long as physicians prescribe antibiotics in a judicious manner and alternate antibiotics for those being treated for chronic infections, the problem with drug resistance can be greatly minimized (forgive the oxymoron...greatly minimized!)
In dangerous environments where there are lots of infections and lots of antibiotics the prospects for the emergence of drug resistant strains become very real. We call this dangerous environment a hospital!
For many years MRSA thrived in hospitals. Folks recovering from surgery were the prime MRSA targets because healing wounds are an easy passageway for germs. MRSA infections extend hospitalizations, generate huge expenses, and cause life-threatening complications.
Global warming did not cause MRSA. Illegal immigrants do not cause MRSA. Adaptive genetics inside the bacteria's DNA permitted the germ to develop drug resistance.
Stop yawning, here comes the exciting part! It now appears that the threat of MRSA has checked-out of the hospital and is prevalent in many new environments like schools, offices, and clinics. Staphylcoccus aureus is a very common bacteria responsible for pimples and ordinary skin infections. A few days of any popular broad-spectrum antibiotic would usually fix the problem. Not any more! People who were never near a hospital are contracting MRSA infections. As expected, routine antibiotics are ineffective, forcing physicians to prescribe newer and more powerful drugs.
I've got two helpful recommendations to alleviate your MRSA anxiety:
- Frequent handwashing and use of hand sanitizers are the best ways to protect yourself from MRSA at home, at work, anywhere; and
- If you develop any kind of infection (infected wound, abscess, cellulitis, pneumonia, etc) go ahead and ask the doctor, "Do you think this might be MRSA?" It never hurts to prompt your doctor and give both of you a headstart to full recovery.
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Technorati Tags: MRSA, staph, infection, community infection, hygiene
32 Comments:
I live in South Florida, where there have been several MRSA outbreaks in the past few weeks, as recent as today. An elementary girl came down with MRSA, and I am concerned for my 7 year old son who plays sports and goes to school like everyone else. Is there anything special we can do to assure he does not become infected? P.S. He has never taken any antibiotics, and is in good health. Thanks for the great comments!
Prophylactic antibiotics are discouraged. Keep cuts and sores covered. See doctor if redness, swelling or fever develops.
If a child is diagnosed with MRSA in a cut, what should be used to sanitize toy that child has come in contact with? Should all toys be disposed of?
Thorough cleansing with an antibacterial cleaning or dilute (1:10) bleach in hot water will eliminate the germs.
My husband and 2 of my children had been diagnosed with MRSA. They have taken the antibiotics the doctor prescribed and the infections are gone. Does this now mean they no longer have MRSA?
If antibiotics have been discontinued and your family is still well then in all likelihood MRSA has been eradicated.
This is a good time for some serious housecleaning.
My 16 year old son has pimple-like
bumps on his back. Acne or staph??
Should I have him checked?
My husband and I have both been diagnosed with MRSA this afternoon. Since our symptoms began we have been very careful and I've been scrubbing and spraying Lysol everywhere. My daughter was diagnosed with a UTI yesterday and my 6 yr old son now has a fever and is coughing. They both do not have any skin lesions or pimples but would it be possible for their symptoms to be MRSA as well? If so do I wait for the Dr's tomorrow or should I just run to the hospital in case this is spreading thoughout my family?
anonymous,
You should call your doctor and ask about this -- according to our article about MRSA symptoms, the urinary tract and respiratory systems can be affected by MRSA, but it would require a doctor's examination to know that for sure.
I just recieved a phone call from my father who told me my cousin has just been diagnosed with MRSA. I have a 6 year old, 3 year old, and 7 month old, and they all have what I believe is a cold all symptoms are in the chest and sinuses. My question is should I have my children tested since they were around the cousin a week and half ago, and she was in our van so how can I make sure the seats are cleaned to kill the MRSA?
anonymous above:
This article answers frequently asked questions about MRSA. You'll find answers about how MRSA is transmitted on the second page.
If you still have concerns, I'd suggest giving your pediatrician a call to see what they think.
Im 5 months pregnant and for the first four months i got boils over and over,one I even got A high fever of 101 with then the next i asked to be checked for mrsa it came back positive. they drained it and said that if i had anymore to come back and they would drain it again. Since then ive been getting pimples underneith my arms does this mean that the mrsa is in my blood stream? And will this hurt my baby? Will she be orn with it to?
My 17 yr old daughter was just diagnosed with MRSA. I am assuming she acquired it at the gym where she takes cheering. When we spoke to the coach he made the comment that 3 other team members had recent boils. What can we recommend to the coach for cleaning purposes between use of equipement?
I noticed a coworker of mine has been sick on & off for the past couple of months. I noticed that he seemed to get sick, be better one day and then sick the next. At first I dismissed it as a hard to get rid of flu, but he was coughing more and his eyes appeared glassy. He recently complained of swelling and pain in his forearms toward the wrist area. I told him to see a DR. Yesterday he stated the DR. believes he has MRSA & was going in for a swab so they could do further testing. Workers use the same equipment & work in close proximity in our workplace, is this a cause for concern; coughing, sneezing, etc??? Thanks! 12/13/07
I live in Southern Maryland and I am a 28 yr old female I was told that I have MRSA in Nov of 2007. I ended up with cellulitis and a abcest in my back, by the time I left the hospital 2 weeks later I had a hole in my back that you could fit a soda can in. I found out that I am allergic to almost all medicines used to treat this and it is Feb of 2008 and my test came back positive again and that its in my blood. What do I do now? Am i doomed? Do I need to worry about the future of my children? Should I see a different doctor?
redsnamy: Here is some additional information about MRSA.
I hope that helps.
Well, I am scared to death I have had reoccuring boils for many years and I am just learning how to make them go away w/out going to the hospital..Well, i have a boil that will not go away and now I learn the details of MRSA..I think I am going to go to the hospital today...I am scared to death...I have young children..Ahh Hell!!
Well, I am the one with the reoccuring boils and I went to the Pediatrician and convinced her to write a scrip for an antibiotic for my 1 year old and told her we had come in close contact with Mrsa and she perscribed CEPHALEXIN. As an adult 165lbs can I take the CEPHALEXIN 125mg/5ml susp 100 ml and it work on my boils? Pleas Doctor answer...
Anonymous,
For questions about prescribed medications, the best resource is the prescribing physician or your pharmacist.
Thank you.
Hi Dr. Lloyed,
I have been dealing with reoccurring soft tissue abscesses for over 3wks now, which I have had all treated by being drained, packed, and put on antibiotics. The thing is I'm 22yro, very healthy, and have great hygiene.. but I did suffer from a UTI that turned into a kidney infection on Feb 28, '08. I was treated with Ciprofloxacin, and a week later was fine.. but that's also when a simple ant bite on my rear-end turned to a staph infection.. including irritated hair follicles that were staph infected on my pelvis & labia almost a day later... I have all the while been taking Cipro for the infections, and now 3wks into this, I have been bitten 3 more times (by sugar ants of all things) on my abdomen, and the wounds are hard, red, swollen, painful, and pus filled.. it seems anything that would mildly irritate my skin is causing the same severe reactions... It all seems to stem back from the kidney infection, or the Cipro antibiotics.. like my immune system wont even try to fight little things.. I have never taken such a strong antibiotic like Cipro before.. And the Doctor who has treated me has only taken one culture from the 1st abscess I had, and said it was ordinary Staph.. I don't know what to do.. I just want to heal the new infections I have and keep from having anymore occurrences (I have followed all tips for prevention). What do you think is the likely initial cause of these infections? the antibiotics & low immune system? And what should I ask, say, or do when I go and see my Doctor about these new abscesses.. what treatments should this doctor be giving me since the Cipro I'm taking to fight the infections is not preventing new occurrences? I have to say I feel a little hopeless, since the doctors are not taking this seriously.. just thinking I must be getting into some bad insects.. not even correlating one infection with another, it's so frustrating! PLEASE if you could give me some feed back, or insight, I would be so grateful!!! I need answers, and it would be great to be armed with some knowledge and good questions for my Doctors. THANK YOU for any & all your help you can provide!
Sincerely,
-Caitlyn Walker, Venice FL
After the birth of my second child in 2002, I began having boils on my breasts and abdomen. Just prior to that pregnancy, I had experienced several unexplained miscarriages that had required D&Cs. (Unexplained even at Johns Hopkins). At the time, I had not heard of MRSA and was embarrassed of the fact thatI had boils. So over a period of about a year, I quietly nursed them myself as they drained using rubbing alcohol and bandages. When I finally told a doctor about them, I had only scars to show. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic cream that I put in my nose. He never did confirm MRSA. Well, I never had another boil or miscarriage and went on to have another healthy child. Has anyone investigated whether a connection exists between MRSA and miscarriages?
Hello,
We just found out that a close friend of the family contracted MRSA. He was treated and seems to be clear. The rest of the family have some fears of weather this person can still be contagious especially should he be around babies and small children. It's really affecting the relationships in our home.What are the dangers and the precautions that we should take? Should this person not be permitted to touch the baby? HELP!
Anonymous above,
Here's a link to some information about MRSA prevention that should help answer your questions.
My child is on an antibiotic prophylaxis and monthly treatment with oral steriods, and has been for a long time. He is immune deficient and does not fight infection. We keep massive stock of Bactroban for frequent skin infection, he gets a tbsp of bleach in his bath water (advised by specialist). Are these enough to keep him from getting MRSA? Will he be able to fight this infection?
I'm 4 months pregnant and for the first four months i got boils over and over. One got so bad that they drained it. But 3 months later I still have them. Since then I've been getting pimples underneath my arms and pelvis area does this mean that the mrsa is in my blood stream? And will this hurt my baby? Will my baby be born with it to? Will I be able to breast feed my child?
I have had MRSA a few times I am a cleaning fanatic, my home is always clean!!!! The doctors diagnosed me MRSA FREE, yet I keep getting it I am a very clean person ,if anything I am a germaphobic .When I am under a lot of stress I get it , I think that this infection lays dormant in your body
Just the thought of MRSA drives me up the walls! My son is only 2 years old and he has had MRSA at least six TIMES!! I have had it 4 times and my 8 month old daughter has had Staph once. I continue to take him to the doctor every time he gets it but they treat him with the antibiotics and say have a good day. Then when i come in a month or two later to say my son has got MRSA again the nurse says "How do you know its MRSA ma'm." And by the time i get them into the doctor the "pimple" is too small to take a culture sample. I am so tired of it....what can i do to get rid of it for good and is it possible that it is just in his system?
Hello Doctor, I have just learned that my husband may have MRSA. He saw his doctor this morning to ask about a large lump in his groin. The doctor put a needle into the lump and drained a small amount out and said he thought it was probably MRSA. We have a 2 year old. I am very worried about how contagious MRSA is and that we may all be contaminated. What should I do?
Thank you.
I am 22yrs old and live in southwest FL. Since 2005 i have had now about 30 MRSA infections ... ( I have stopped counting) I got my first one after getting bit by a brown recluse. I have come to find that the only way that I can manage the outbreaks ( because now only IV antibiotics MIGHT help) is to only use a bath towel one time, use paper towels to dry my hands, washing my sheets weekly and using those clorox wipes on my stearing wheeling car ...esp after getting gas and such... also i have been fairly dilligent about swabbing my nose with bactroban cream.
My 2 1/2 year old son had a pimple-like thing on his leg that got infected and was subsequently diagnozed as MRSA. The pediatrician put him on Septra originally designed for a 10 days course. On the morning of the 9th day, he developed a very severe rash all over his body. The pediatrician asked us to stop the Septra immediately and said since the wound was healig good (after drainage) and had a scab, the risk outweighed the medications benefits. I am concerned that he did not receive the full 10 day course. They weighed the option of putting him on a clindomycin for another 2 days but decided against it since he had almost completed his original dose (8 days). Just seeking a second opinion from the MD on whether it was a wise decision. Would this now increase my son's chances of getting a reccurence? Thanks
My mother has MRSA and contracted it while having a biopsy done in the er, While the biopsy showed she was breast cancer that has spread to her lungs, they say the MRSA will be the one that will kill her is there any proving studies showing this and should I contact a lawyer?
my daughter has mrsa and she is only 10 she has had 2 boils in 4 months does mrsa stay dormant even after antibiotics like bactrim which she is on or does it finally go away? please specify
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