MRSA Scare!
Published on Oct 23rd, 2007 in Health with
What is MRSA? If you asked me this question when I was in high school I wouldn’t be able to give a good answer. I had never heard of MRSA, and it just was neither a concern of mine nor my classmates. Ask the same question today, and I bet many high schoolers would at least be able to say they’ve heard of it. Why? Because MRSA outbreaks have occurred in schools throughout various states in the US, and it’s raising a lot of concern.
What Exactly Is MRSA?
MRSA, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, (pronounced “MER-sah” among many medical professionals) is a type of bacteria that can’t be killed by certain antibiotics, mostly of the penicillin variety. This kind of staph infection can potentially kill; not very encouraging!
An infection usually looks like a nasty bug bite or boil that’s filled with pus. The infection can turn into an abscess and then get into the bloodstream.
Take note that staph bacteria are for the most part harmless to healthy people. In fact, many individuals have these “bugs” in their noses or on their skin, and they’re not sick.
The problem is that they can transfer the bacteria to others who would get sick, especially to those in hospitals and nursing homes with open wounds, weakened immune systems, and catheters.
So What Happens If Someone Does Get Infected With MRSA?
The medical community brings out the big guns: Vancomycin, one of the few antibiotics still effective against MRSA; however, some strains of MRSA are gaining strength.
What Can You Do Right Now To Protect Yourself And Others?
- First of all, don’t live in fear. You need to live life, and to the fullest. But, you can try to live it a little more wisely.
- The best thing you can do is wash your hands! This decreases the spread of germs. It may sound elementary, but it merits reminding. Scrub your hands with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds. Dry them with disposable towels. Turn off the water with a clean, disposable towel, and open the door with one, as well. You may look funny, but you’ll be relatively germ-free!
- Use an alcohol hand sanitizer when you are unable to wash your hands. It’s better than nothing!
- Don’t share towels, clothes, athletic equipment, razors, cosmetics or cosmetic brushes with others.
- Sanitize gym equipment after use, and even before use. Who wants to sit on a sweaty piece of equipment! Use a towel as a cover too.
- If you have a cut or abrasion, keep it clean and covered until it is healed.
- If you or a loved one is in the hospital or nursing home, make sure the medical staff washes their hands. Politely ask about hand washing; it’s OK to do so and even encouraged in some facilities.
- Make sure that IV lines, injections, and catheters are inserted via sterile technique. Again, it’s OK to ask about this before the procedure begins.
- See a doctor if you have an infection that doesn’t heal, gets worse, has pus draining from it, is an abscess, or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a fever. Ask about getting tested for MRSA. That way you can receive the right treatment for you.
Check out The Mayo Clinic for further info.
