Live with MRSA

Edited by JMA, Robbi, Lynn, Eng

There are a number of people who have the staphylococcus bacteria living on their skin and in their nose. While this bacteria doesn't usually cause any harm, it can get into the body when a person is cut and that can lead to a staph infection. While a course of antibiotics will normally treat this, there may be times when antibiotics are not an effective treatment. This is usually the result of the staph becoming Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus or what we know as MRSA.

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Steps

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  1. 1
    Critical things to remember when living with MRSA:
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  2. 2
    Wash your hands often
    .
    Your hands are going to be one of the many ways that you can spread MRSA to others. If you are a carrier, the things you touch and interact with can help to spread the disease. While being treated by a healthcare professional, it will be important that contact be kept to a minimum to avoid concerns.
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  3. 3
    If you have a skin infection, you must keep it covered at all times
    .
    Any active skin infections can be a breeding ground for MRSA. In cases where the skin is broken, you should ensure you continue to be treated by a healthcare professional and avoid letting anyone come in contact with the open sore.
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  4. 4
    If you find that your wound does seep anywhere, especially on shared surfaces, it is critical that you clean the area with bleach
    .
    This reduces the risk of spreading the infection to others in the household.
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  5. 5
    Speak with your physician regularly to determine the best course of action for treating this condition
    .
    While MRSA is highly contagious and dangerous, there are courses of treatment that can be taken. This includes draining the infection area, working to reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin and taking antibiotics that have been shown to be effective when treating MRSA. You will need to ensure that you follow the advice and complete any recommended course of treatment.
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Tips

  • It is important to use care when using antibiotics. One of the leading factors in people contracting MRSA and showing symptoms is improper use of antibiotics. This includes taking them when they aren't necessary, obtaining illegal prescriptions and not finishing a course of antibiotics when a physician has prescribed them to treat a medical condition.

Warnings

  • MRSA is highly contagious. If you do come in contact with an individual who has MRSA, ensure you wash your hands. If you believe you are developing signs of an infection, it is a good idea to speak with your physician.

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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Article Info

Categories : Noindexed pages | Health & Wellness

Recent edits by: Lynn, Robbi, JMA

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