How People Get MRSA
It is very shocking to know that there are bacteria living in your skin such as the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
These bacteria do not only live in your skin, but can also be found in your nose. Many times, these bacteria can live in humans without creating any harmful effect. Once these bacteria start to invade your system, things will definitely get serious. Many people can harbor the bacteria without any manifestations or adverse symptoms for years. It might not affect you, but it can cause threat to other people since the bacteria can be transmitted and infect other people.
There are two ways on how one can get MRSA. The first one is through physical contact with someone else. A person can get MRSA directly or indirectly if they are exposed to the bacteria that are living in anothers body. Once you are exposed to MRSA, then you will be colonized. It means that you are harboring the bacteria without adverse side effects for a very long time. It may not affect you now, but after several years it could invade your system and cause huge problems in your body. If you are colonized by these bacteria but don’t show any signs or symptoms, you are referred to as the carrier of MRSA.
You can be affected by the bacteria indirectly by being exposed to contaminated objects like towels, door knobs, and faucets that are handled by MRSA carriers. Another method of harvesting MRSA is through toxins that are produced by the bacteria. There are various situations that can cause MRSA such as bacterial toxins, toxic shock syndrome, food poisoning and blood poisonings to name a few. Bacteria has the ability to be reproduced or multiply. This is the reason why MRSA can affect you after several years of being contaminated.
The bacteria can hinder the normal functioning of the human body. This might happen if the MRSA was able to multiply rapidly. The people who are exposed to the toxin will undergo several processes and after a while they will feel that there is something wrong within their body. One of the most common possible ways for one to acquire MRSA is through the direct contact of skin. If you have open wounds, abrasions, cuts, psoriasis, eczema, and other skin problems, you are at risk of getting MRSA. The MRSA can be easily passed through a person with sensitive skin. The staph bacteria is dangerous and it can dig into the tissues of your skin and it can also enter your bloodstream.
It is important to avoid direct contact to anyone or anything if you have an open wound or any open spaces on your skin. People who like to get tattoos and tattoo artists are among people who might get MRSA. Drug users are also prone to staph invasion. It is important not to share personal things to others such as towels, razors, toothbrush, and pillows. Sexual contact is another means of getting the disease. Bacteria such as staph can strive in the right temperature.
It will spread and survive, so it is important for people to cook their food properly to avoid food poisoning. In terms of toxic shock syndrome, it is connected with materials that serve as the breeding grounds of bacteria like tampons. Older individuals can also acquire the disease because they have weak immune systems. They do not have the ability to protect themselves against infection. MRSA is also associated as a secondary infection to flu and airborne diseases. Hospitals, if not fully sterile, are the perfect breeding ground for MRSA.
Treating MRSA
There are times when medicines such as antibiotics do not work for us and this is caused by what we call methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. We simply cannot avoid times when some antibiotics we take don’t function well in treating an infection we have. And yes, it’s all thanks to this thing we call MRSA.
You might ask now, what is MRSA? We’ve already given what it meant earlier and it is the methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. The MRSA is a bacterium. It is common and is a strain of the bacterium we call staphylococcus aureus or S. aureus that can be found in small amounts on our skin’s surfaces.
MRSA is the leading known cause of many infections. When there are wounds, bruises and more in the body, they can easily get even more serious or infected when this bacterium strikes those areas. Infections caused by MRSA need to be prevented before it can even start therefore it is important that we have some preventive measures done before this can happen.
How do you know if you are susceptible to developing diseases worsened by MRSA?
Most of those who are prone to developing such debilitating diseases caused by this bacterium are those who have immune systems that are weak. It is important for us, then, to always be healthy otherwise we can easily get the diseases caused by MRSA. Others that are susceptible to developing the diseases caused by this group of bacterium are those who have just come from surgery in hospitals and those how have just been released from the hospitals. Such is what we call the health care-associated MRSA.
There is also the community-associated MRSA. This infection usually occurs to people who have not been admitted to hospitals. Those who are prone to developing such infections include athletes that share equipment with one another and even the military men and women who have tattoos on their bodies.
Next question, how do you know if you have contacted the MRSA bacterium?
There are different signs and symptoms that can tell you whether you have contracted the disease caused by the MRSA bacterium. An occurrence of three or more than that number of these symptoms would tell you that indeed, you have been infected by the MRSA bacterium.
Fever and warmth around the area that has been infected are only two of the many symptoms of MRSA infection in skin with wounds or cavities that are prone to getting infected by the bacterium. Others would include the appearance of pus or other such body liquids in the wound site or infected cavity. Skin abscess is another symptom of MRSA infection.
You know if you are infected by MRSA if the area that is infected is red, swollen or painful. Meanwhile, serious infection of the bacterium would include chest pains, coughs, feeling of fatigue, fever, some chills and the feeling of malaise. There is also shortness in breathing, rashes, headaches and muscle aches that can be felt in the extreme cases of MRSA infection.
To detect the presence of this bacterium causing the infection, there are different tests that can be done. You may have blood culture or urine culture tests, then skin culture particularly on the site that has been infected and culturing of the fluid that has seeped out of the infected site.
The only treatment for this particular skin infection is the draining of the skin sore. This is often done in the office or clinic of your doctor. There are also some antibiotics that may work in the treatment of serious cases of infections of this bacterium.
It is important that you still see your doctor when you suspect you are developing MRSA infection.
Understanding MRSA
MRSA are initials standing for Methycillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas. This is an organism which is widely known to cause many types of infections especially on the skin. MRSA has a number of designations and what it is referred to at any one time depends on where the patient acquired it. If a patient got it from a hospital environment, it will be referred to as HA-MRSA for example. Research has revealed that close to 18,000 people suffer and die from MRSA in the US every year. However, the number has declined significantly in the recent past due to the preventive measures that have been put in place.
Hospital practices have changed a lot and home care has improved. The irony is that Staph infections have been around for a very long time, probably for as long as humans have lived, but MRSA itself has a very brief history. MRSA was noted for the first time in 1961, a few years after doctors started using methycillin for the treatment of S. aureas and various other bacteria. Over the time, MRSA has been resistant to a variety of antibiotics like oxallin, penicillin and amoxillin. S. aureas has even been referred to as the “superbug” because of its resistance to a variety of antibiotics. MRSA is also termed as the “flesh-eating –bacteria” because of the ability to spread very fast and the destruction it can have on the human skin. The reference of MRSA bacteria as MRSA virus is wrong and should be avoided to avoid any confusion.
It is very unfortunate that strains of MRSA can be found all over the world. There is no region of the world where you will not find them. If a person is healthy and has no cuts or openings on his skin, he is at a very low risk of infection. However, it is possible for the bacteria to be passed from a person to another if they come into contact with mucus, skin and cough droplets of an infected person. Avoid coming into contact with the personal effects of an infected person too to avoid MRSA infections.
These include clothing, towels and utensils. This is because the bacteria clings to these objects and it could easily be transferred to another person through contact. Investigators have revealed that at least one person in a hundred in the US has their body colonized by MRSA and they can easily pass the bacteria to others. Those colonized by the MRSA have the bacteria but it does not cause them any illness. This is very dangerous because without knowledge of their condition, they keep passing MRSA to unsuspecting others through the methods mentioned above.
Those who have never been infected with MRSA always want to know how the bacteria’s infection looks like. In most cases, the MRSA infection starts with a rash which is reddish and has lesions that may look like small boils or pimples. They can be many lesions or just one. This will often progress to an area of the patient’s skin which is open and very inflamed. This area will produce pus or a similar fluid. The area affected feels very sore and can be very painful. The moisture and opening in the skin can lead to other infections which can make the MRSA infection even worse. The patient should observe high standards of hygiene and make sure that he does not pass the bacteria to other people around him. He should not have any direct contact with other individuals and he should not share any of his personal effects. This way, the MRSA bacteria will not be transferred to other individuals.
What You Should Know About MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is often called a “superbug” by the media, bringing to mind an extremely infectious and deadly disease, like a modern black plague. The reality of MRSA is not that simple, however. MRSA is indeed infectious, difficult to treat sometimes and can cause death, but we still have tools in our [...]
Source: http://www.mrsaskininfection.org/blog/2011/08/14/what-you-should-know-about-mrsa/
Antibiotics for MRSA infection
If you have been diagnosed with MRSA, then you know that it is a form of infection that has proved to be quite resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotic healing is still the bastion of care that is prescribed by doctors when it comes to MRSA, but antibiotic therapy is problematical because of MRSA’s antibiotic struggle. When [...]
Source: http://www.mrsasuperbug.info/blog/antibiotics-for-mrsa-infection/
Common Causes of Sinus Infections
When you stop to think about sinus infections, you may want to firstly know about how to get rid of a stuffy nose, how to get rid of sinus pain, and how to get rid of a sinus headache. However, you?ll first want to know about the common causes of sinus infections, that way, you [...]
Source: http://www.killsinus.com/sinus-infection/sinusitis/common-causes-of-sinus-infections/
A painful pitfall of caring for someone with MRSA
You can lead a horse to water but you can?t make them drink. Sometimes your best intentions to help someone with their Staph or MRSA treatment are wasted, or even backfire on you. It?s a lesson many people have to learn when they become a caregiver to someone with a health challenge. It?s actually a [...]
Source: http://www.staph-infection-resources.com/staph-mrsa-treatment/caring-for-someone-with-mrsa/
Chronic Sinusitis Problems
If you are suffering from chronic sinusitis or sinus problems, you probably already know just how badly it can begin to affect your daily life. While healthy, you?re able to work and maintain family life, however, with sinus pressure symptoms, it can become harder and harder to focus on what has to be done, beyond [...]
Source: http://www.killsinus.com/sinus-infection/sinusitis/chronic-sinusitis-problems/
Maine Medical Center Patient Makes Own Hand Hygiene Sign
At Maine Medical Center, they are making a special effort to educate patients and families on the importance of hand hygiene for both family members and staff. A patient on one of the units made their own door sign – Gel In, Gel Out, or Stay Out! 
Source: http://fightmrsa.blogspot.com/2010/08/maine-medical-center-patient-makes-own.html
More Signs from Maine Medical Center
I think this sign using staff on the unit is FANTASTIC. 
This cart aimed at visitors is right underneath the “30 Days” sign. It’s really the first thing that you see when you walk on the unit. 
Sign on gel station that lets families and visitors know that they should also Gel In, Gel Out 
Needed supplies kept on the outside of the door. 
Source: http://fightmrsa.blogspot.com/2010/08/more-signs-from-maine-medical-center.html
Running the MRSA Vanguard with Vancomycin
In today?s world, a higher degree of exchange is taking place between places through commerce and travel, and contact with new strains of bacteria is now becoming commonplace. Even more disconcerting is certain bacteria have begun to develop resistance to last line treatments such as Vancomycin. Most people have never heard of Vancomycin and they [...]
Source: http://www.mrsaidblog.com/2011/08/running-the-mrsa-vanguard-with-vancomycin/
Some thoughts about MRSA prevention & hospital care from a patient?s perspective
Not too long ago, in my role as a health project manager, I became interested in the concept of promoting family involvement to assure better MRSA hygiene practices. I became convinced family members could be an effective extension of the health care team to reinforce good hygiene practice in hospitals.
But now I really am convinced. But now I?m able to come at the same questions from a patient perspective. And as a patient, I?m convinced all patient?s need an advocate.
I was recently an ER patient in one of our participating MRSA study hospital. The care was excellent and I was treated very well. When I was able to pay attention, I think the MRSA preventive hygiene practices were done consistently.
The truth was, however, I was NOT able to pay attention most of the time. During my stay, I was poked and prodded and handled by very courteous health care workers who reassured me this test or that IV in my arm was needed?and they just wanted to rule out anything really serious?and as it turned out they were right.
The hospital experience was a little overwhelming, however. I could not help but feel slightly disoriented. I was unable to relax and might have thought a bit too much about how much this was going to cost.
BUT …in theory, I was an informed, fully insured consumer.
My day job has me keeping track of MRSA statistics and reading about good MRSA preventive protocols. But being a patient is far more difficult. You?re walking or riding into a live action scene. It?s not like a shopping trip where you can just leave and decide not to buy that TV. You may not be able to walk away. The latest consumer report best buy guide doesn?t cover this situation. You are not in control. It can be intimidating.
When I?m asked about my job, I frequently say to my friends that I will never look at a bed rail the same way?..how many hands have touched it??and then they might be touching me?. but that day, I didn?t give it much thought.
And when I was being rolled around the halls going to and from the numerous diagnostic tests?in my designer ?Johnny gown?? I was glad to be rolling smoothly in my open air hospital limousine?with bed rails. Truth is, I was not anxious to walk down the hall in my open air gown. It was more comfortable to count the ceiling tiles and lights. MRSA prevention was not on my mind. There was no sign on my door warning anyone ?unclean? to stay out.
Here I am with all this knowledge about proper patient hygiene procedures and MRSA infection rates at the tip of my tongue, but the best I could do was be an educated passive observer.
So now, when I hear about or read about gutsy patients or family members who DO get involved and put up their own ?keep away / reminder? signs?.I admire them more?.and applaud?..and keep on applauding for the hospital staff that encourages such behavior. I appreciate how brave and confident a patient or a family member needs to be to play policeman or challenge medical authority figures. I also appreciate how confident and dedicated a nursing staff must be to support those families and patients.
My take away message is simple. Patients are inherently vulnerable.
So my advice is to take your mother (or someone like her ) with you to the hospital. Get a personal advocate. She will ask the questions you forget to ask or were afraid to. She will make the sign warning away unclean workers. And she will record questions in a notebook to ask the doctor later. She knows you have a lot on your mind. She?s on your team
She may not have professional training, but she will know that one hospital acquired infection is too many if it could be prevented. She will also know the convenience of any healthcare worker is not a good excuse for failing to take proper precautions.
?Did you wash your hands young man? You can?t come to the dinner table until you do.?
Welcome to the team Mom!
Joe Poisson PMP
Health Information Project Manager
Source: http://fightmrsa.blogspot.com/2010/11/some-thoughts-about-mrsa-prevention.html
MRSA Infections In Children
Although those suffering from MRSA will know that it is a very grave threat to both unhealthy as well as healthy people, there is an alarming rise in MRSA infections in children. This rise is mainly attributed to the weak immune systems in children. Consider the fact that one of the most prominent locations for [...]
Source: http://www.mrsasuperbug.info/blog/mrsa-infections-in-children/
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