MRSA (staph infections) Warning Signs and Preventive Measures
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Staph Infection Warning Signs and Preventive Measures by Tara Parker -Pope in the NYT
The bacterial infection surfacing in schools and other settings around the country is called methicilin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. It is primarily a skin infection, often resembling a pimple, boil or spider bite at its onset. But it quickly worsens into an abscess or pus filled blister or sore and can become serious if it enters the bloodstream.
Experts say that patients who have sores that will not heal or that are filled with pus should see a doctor and ask to be tested for staph infection. They should not squeeze the sore or try to drain it--that can spread the infection.
The vast majority of MRSA cases happen in hospital settings, but 10 percent to 15 percent occur among otherwise healthy people, often those who are prone to cuts and scrapes like children and athletes. MRSA typically spreads by skin-to-skin contact, crowded conditions and the sharing of contaminated personal items (such as razors).
Groups who seem to be at increased risk include those who have regular contact with health care workers, those who have recently taken antibiotics lkie fluoroquinolones or cephalosporin, military recruits, prisoners and men who have sex with men.
Experts advise parents to remind children and teenageers that personal items like brushes, combs, razors towels, makeup and cell phones whould not be shared. And extra vigilance should be used in health clubs and gyms--staph grows rapidly in warm, moist environments.
The necessary precautions should be explained to student athletes, particularly those in contact sports who often suffer cuts and spend time in locker rooms. Gym equipment should be wiped down. Scrapes and sores should be kept clean and bandaged--minor cuts and scrapes are the way MRSA takes hold.
Experts also note that the misuse or overuse of antibiotics allows bacteria to evolve and develop resistance to drugs. Antibiotics should be taken only when necessary, they advise, and patients should take the full course of pills prescribed.
More information: nytimes.com/well
MRSA Warning Signs and Preventive Measures by Tara Parker Pope NY Times10-27-07
Mayo Clinic.com on MRSA
- MRSA infection - MayoClinic.com
MRSA infection — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes and treatment of this virulent staph infection.
Super Bug
Strep or Staph Infection
Staph Infection, cellulitis
Systemic Staph Infection
Staph Infection-Buttocks
Staph/impetigo
MRSA Rash
If you're not scared yet, this one will do it!!!
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Comments
Thanks for the comment. I experienced a bad staph infection in my ankle a couple of years ago. It swelled up to nearly double it's normal size very quickly before I got it treated. At the time it started I didn't realize what or how serious it was. It started from a skin abrasion on my ankle bone from the top of one of my boat shoes that I was wearing without socks. From a simple abrasion to staph in a few days. Nothing to fool around with.
I have two nephews (in their 20s at the time) who used to like to run around outside while barefooted. I used to cringe when I saw them doing that because people don't realize how dangerous that is. The combination of an open cut and the (always) dirty ground can be lethal. There's a current threat of staph infections in the New York-Connecticut area at this very moment.
I got MRSA 10 years ago from a surgeon whom after doing a c section on me found that he left some instruments inside so he opened me back up with the same dirty equipment. My incision busted open several times and my doc did nothing. I finally had to go to my primary doc who after finding out it was in fact MRSA sent me to Vandy Infectious Disease. They started me on Vancomycin which didn't help and subsequently had to do a Debreement which hurt like hell. They said they got it all but further tests found that it had already made it to my blood stream. Infectious Disease said that it could lie dorment in my body for years but guess what, it's back. I shamelessly spent 10 days in jail for contempt last month and while I was there it returned. This time just above my c section incision. I'm pretty scared. I have no insurance and the docs don't want to lay a hand on me.
Signed,
Scared Sh*tless
You need attention. Maybe if you go to a hospital emergency room you can get treatment. Good luck.
Blech! didn't expect pics. Anyway are you a doc or health care professional?
Love the tiger!
No. I am not a doctor or health care provider. Thanks for your comment.
I have a friend who was told last year he had MRSA . I tried to tell this was nothing to play with He lied to me. And said that it was eczma now its in his blood. He works on cars and stated that his customers don't want to shake his hands. I.m a nurse I have tried to talk to him but I don't get through to him.
Debi
Your're right, nothing to play around with. It's quite communicable and not easy to treat.
hi ive been gettin boil like bumps on my butt cheeks ans i can bust them sometimes but they just keep coming back is this merca or something i should be worried about?
I'm not a doctor, but you may want to have a doctor give you a check up.
I have a lot of timy bumps on my inner thighs. About once a month or so it's like I have a "break-out" in that area. Those bumps turn into boils and sometimes grow the size of a lemon being very tender. If I pop one it drains this bloody and pus mixer. Its so nasty. Is this a sign of MRSA? I have had this happening for about 5 years and it just keeps getting worse. I also get them around my waist line and on my buttocks sometime. I have had some on my stomach before that after they drained, they had a hole in them.
I'm not qualified to offer an opinion. Recommend you see a dermatologist.
I aquiered MRSA and it started out as like they say a pimple or spider bite. I popped it and then it started to get really bad. I have no health insuranse so I went to a public hospital where they treat low income people. They gave me antibiotics but stressed that it is resistant and suggested to wash hands often and not to pop what may look like a pimple or spider bite. If you have what may be MRSA you really really must take immidiate action. Bad news you cant ever get rid of it. Good news it is treatable if you take quick action.
Symptoms- spider bite/ pimple looking soar
spreads and may cause pain
fever might set in(it did for me)
what looked like a pimple or spider bite now looks like a volcano (red and has a hole where the head of the infection is) although i have heard it may look dif. according to what kind of staph you have.
Take care of it immediately.
Hello,
I just wanted to throw some information out there to everyone interested about MRSA since I had the infection 3 times at the age 22 and currently on my 4th time having it. When they say everyone mistakes MRSA as a spider bite, there right. When I first had MRSA I thought it was a spider bite, but then the pain increased and drainage started to happen. I was scared as hell!!! So I then went to the ER and they did a culture on me which hurt like no tomorrow because they actually had to squeeze out drainage from the wound. IT HURTS!!! So they then put me on an antibiotic called "Bactrim". It wasn’t working because I believe Bactrim is resistant to MRSA. I can’t remember to clearly. So again I went to the ER because of the pain. They finally told me to see a surgeon and have it cut out, because the infection was not going away. Now this all happened in 3 months. Today, yet again I am infected with MRSA. I am on antibiotics and waiting to see what happens. It is soooo frustrating because I have no idea why I am infected again with this. I shower 2 times a day because I work in a Doctors office, I am a very clean person, and I just don’t get why this is happening again. I was told it doesn’t matter how clean you are, you will still get infected. If you have any opened wounds such as, cuts, scratches, or anything of the sort, you can get infected. This is how MRSA enters your body. Scary, I know! If anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I know just about everything when it comes to MRSA because I had it several times. Have a great day =)
~Megan~
Megan, (and Dave) Thanks for your comment. MRSA is nothing to fool around with. Scary.
Ralph,
I just had a question for you. Is it true what Dave says, You cant ever get rid of MRSA?
I'm not a doctor and therefore am not qualified to answer your question. However, that doesn't sound right to me although it may be true in some cases. Several years ago I had a staph infection in my ankle which swelled up to nearly twice it's normal size. I had it treated and haven't had any problems since then. The doctor didn't tell me that it was likely to recur.
Oh alright. Well thank you anyway
Just an FYI - Yesterday my son was diagnosed with MRSA. What started out as a staff infection in his ankle and Impetigo on his face, ballooned into MRSA after a 10 day cycle of CEPHALEXIN . He is now being treated with CLINDAMYCIN X 10 days. We are also taking nightly bleach baths. 1/4 cup house hold bleach to 3/4 full tub of warm water. It has helped immensely in the immediate clearing of the skin. Our pediatrician recommends nightly baths (15 minutes) in the bleach solution during break outs in our school district. He likens it to a swimming pool. In hind sight, it makes perfect sense. We never have skin issues in the summer as we spend pretty much everyday in the pool. It is safe to take bleach baths nightly. Until we are back in the pool full time, that is our plan to keep the over use of antibiotics at bay!!!
Thanks for your informative comment. I hope your son recovers completely very soon.
It's so bad that schools will send kids home if they have any visible sores, requiring a doctor's note to prove it's not MRSA.
The VA now swabs your nostrils when you come into the hospital and when you leave to show whether you had it before or got it in the hospital -- should it show up.
Thanks for your comment. I actually wasn't aware how prevalent it's getting to be.
Hi I have things like boils on my body the fill up with pus they are very sore just before they burst the turn black and they leave holes behind on my body is this MSRA
Caroline, I'm not a doctor. What you describe doesn't sound good. I suggest you see a doctor without delay.
i just got a spider bite looking mark on my leg its got a reddish ring and my brother has staph could i have it even though i havent made contact with him??
Sounds to me like it's possible. (But I'm not a doctor.)
William F. Torpey says:
2 years ago
Well done. A fellow VFW member who was a victim of this infection has been urging us to wash our hands frequently. Your hub is a worthwhile public service.