MRSA
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| It is estimated that Americans of all ages visit the doctor more than 12 million times per year for skin infections that are typical of staph, more than half of which are MRSA. The good news is that a few simple steps can help parents protect their families. |
Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
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reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
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MRSA is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a potentially dangerous
type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics and may cause skin
and other infections. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more
common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Staph infections,
including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and
healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have
weakened immune systems. As with regular staph infections, recognizing the
signs and receiving treatment for MRSA skin infections in the early stages
reduces the chances of the infection becoming severe. MRSA is spread by:
Having direct contact with another person’s infection
Sharing personal items, such as towels or razors, that have touched infected skin
Touching surfaces or items, such as used bandages, contaminated with MRSA.
Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Infections
Most staph skin infections, including MRSA, appear as a bump or infected area
on the skin that may be red, swollen, painful, warm to the touch, full of pus or
other drainage and accompanied by a fever.
Basic Questions about MRSA - Prevention
If staph and MRSA gets onto a surface, will I get an infection?
Even if surfaces have staph and MRSA on them, this does not mean that you
will definitely get an infection if you touch these surfaces. Staph and MRSA are
most likely to cause problems when you have a cut or scrape that is not
covered. That’s why it’s important to cover your cuts and open wounds with
bandages. MRSA can also get into small openings in the skin, like the openings
at hair follicles. The best defense is good hygiene. Keep your hands clean, use
a barrier like clothing or towels between you and any surfaces you share with
others (like gym equipment), and shower immediately after activities that involve
direct skin contact with others. These are easy ways to decrease your risk of
getting a staph or MRSA infection.
How long does staph and MRSA survive on surfaces?
As with other germs, staph and MRSA can survive on some surfaces for hours,
days or even months, but it all depends on factors like temperature, humidity,
the amount of germs present, and the type of surface (is it porous like a
sponge or nonporous like plastic?). It also depends on whether these surfaces
have nutrients to allow it to survive longer. When surfaces aren’t cleaned and
conditions are good for bacterial growth, staph and MRSA is more likely to
survive for longer periods.
What can I do to keep surfaces free from staph and MRSA?
Cover your infections. Covering infections with bandages or dressings is the
best way to keep surfaces from becoming contaminated with staph and MRSA.
Clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an
alcohol-based hand rub when a sink is not available. Always clean your hands
after changing bandages or touching infected skin.
Keep the environment clean. Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces and
other items that come into direct contact with infected skin.
In gyms, locker rooms, and other places where many people come and go,
repair or throw out equipment and furniture with damaged surfaces cannot be
thoroughly cleaned.
What surfaces should be the focus of my cleaning efforts?
Focus on surfaces that touch people’s bare skin each day and any surfaces
that could come into contact with uncovered infections. For example, surfaces
such as benches in the weight room or locker room.
Large surfaces such as floors and walls have not been directly involved in the
spread of staph and MRSA. There is no evidence that spraying or fogging
rooms or surfaces with disinfectants will prevent staph and MRSA infections
more effectively than the targeted approach of cleaning frequently touched
surfaces and any surfaces that have been exposed to infections.
MRSA and Vancomycin
Henry Chambers of the University of California said "The best available
treatment for MRSA, vancomycin, is more expensive than other antibiotics and
takes a long time to conquer the infection." [1]
SOURCE CDC.gov
[1] MRSA 'superbug' found in ocean, public beaches Steve Sternberg, USA
TODAY September 13, 2009
type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics and may cause skin
and other infections. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more
common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Staph infections,
including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and
healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have
weakened immune systems. As with regular staph infections, recognizing the
signs and receiving treatment for MRSA skin infections in the early stages
reduces the chances of the infection becoming severe. MRSA is spread by:
Having direct contact with another person’s infection
Sharing personal items, such as towels or razors, that have touched infected skin
Touching surfaces or items, such as used bandages, contaminated with MRSA.
Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Infections
Most staph skin infections, including MRSA, appear as a bump or infected area
on the skin that may be red, swollen, painful, warm to the touch, full of pus or
other drainage and accompanied by a fever.
Basic Questions about MRSA - Prevention
If staph and MRSA gets onto a surface, will I get an infection?
Even if surfaces have staph and MRSA on them, this does not mean that you
will definitely get an infection if you touch these surfaces. Staph and MRSA are
most likely to cause problems when you have a cut or scrape that is not
covered. That’s why it’s important to cover your cuts and open wounds with
bandages. MRSA can also get into small openings in the skin, like the openings
at hair follicles. The best defense is good hygiene. Keep your hands clean, use
a barrier like clothing or towels between you and any surfaces you share with
others (like gym equipment), and shower immediately after activities that involve
direct skin contact with others. These are easy ways to decrease your risk of
getting a staph or MRSA infection.
How long does staph and MRSA survive on surfaces?
As with other germs, staph and MRSA can survive on some surfaces for hours,
days or even months, but it all depends on factors like temperature, humidity,
the amount of germs present, and the type of surface (is it porous like a
sponge or nonporous like plastic?). It also depends on whether these surfaces
have nutrients to allow it to survive longer. When surfaces aren’t cleaned and
conditions are good for bacterial growth, staph and MRSA is more likely to
survive for longer periods.
What can I do to keep surfaces free from staph and MRSA?
Cover your infections. Covering infections with bandages or dressings is the
best way to keep surfaces from becoming contaminated with staph and MRSA.
Clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an
alcohol-based hand rub when a sink is not available. Always clean your hands
after changing bandages or touching infected skin.
Keep the environment clean. Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces and
other items that come into direct contact with infected skin.
In gyms, locker rooms, and other places where many people come and go,
repair or throw out equipment and furniture with damaged surfaces cannot be
thoroughly cleaned.
What surfaces should be the focus of my cleaning efforts?
Focus on surfaces that touch people’s bare skin each day and any surfaces
that could come into contact with uncovered infections. For example, surfaces
such as benches in the weight room or locker room.
Large surfaces such as floors and walls have not been directly involved in the
spread of staph and MRSA. There is no evidence that spraying or fogging
rooms or surfaces with disinfectants will prevent staph and MRSA infections
more effectively than the targeted approach of cleaning frequently touched
surfaces and any surfaces that have been exposed to infections.
MRSA and Vancomycin
Henry Chambers of the University of California said "The best available
treatment for MRSA, vancomycin, is more expensive than other antibiotics and
takes a long time to conquer the infection." [1]
SOURCE CDC.gov
[1] MRSA 'superbug' found in ocean, public beaches Steve Sternberg, USA
TODAY September 13, 2009
September 13, 2009 Marilyn Roberts, University of Washington, identified
methicillin-resistant Staph aureus (MRSA) in marine water and beach sand from seven
public beaches. - public beaches may be a reservoir for possible transmission of MRSA. [1]
methicillin-resistant Staph aureus (MRSA) in marine water and beach sand from seven
public beaches. - public beaches may be a reservoir for possible transmission of MRSA. [1]