MRSA Resources

358 responses so far ↓

• Esther Kelly // Nov 17, 2006 at 9:28 pm

  I had Surgery three years ago and the Dr. missed and put a staple in the wound and I got MRSA. I had to be put back in the hospital for treatment. I thought that was the end of it. I had surgery three weeks ago and it showed its ugly head again. My question is do you ever get rid of it? Do you carry it with you all your life, and as long as it is treated is there any chance of death from it ? If any one has any info you can give me I would greatly appreciate it. Esther Kelly GAimplant@alltel.net
  

• Amanda // Nov 22, 2006 at 10:56 am

  i was diagnosed a year ago my first treatment failed im only 22 and i really scared about this situation
  

• domonique // Dec 4, 2006 at 5:26 am

  My daughter 21, grandaughter 3, and son-in-law 24, have all been diagnosed with mrsa, I have so many questions I don;t know where to begin, but without follow up care will the mrsa stay ?spread?…….My daughter just found out she is three months pregnant, can this infect the fetus? please help us, none of us ever feels well.
  

• Sarah // Dec 5, 2006 at 11:38 am

  I was diagnosed with MRSA in my first three days of college freshman year. I do a lot of walking, as my campus is large and rural. I’m also a dancer. It seems that my wound begins to puss with large amounts of moving (the wound is on my leg) and I keep ecountering set backs to healing even though I keep it clean and covered. I can’t give up walking or dance. Is there something I should be doing to take better care of it and help it to heal?
  

• Elizabeth // Dec 11, 2006 at 10:22 am

  I am 16 and I have MRSA. I was diagnosed with it three years ago. I was infected with it when no doctor’s knew what the hell it was. I suffered from it for eight months before the doctor’s and myself found the medication that puts me back into dormant state. I have to live with this for the rest of my life. I am a preformer (dance, acting, etc) and it effects everything. Whenever I have an outbreak I have to soak in a bath tub to drain the puss. I get large abscesses around my butt and my knees. It even spread to my arms and nose.
  

• laura // Dec 11, 2006 at 5:46 pm

  I am 28 and was just diagnosed with MRSA and was hospitalized. A week later i find out my five year old daughter has it. All the info I find doesnt seem to answer the questions i need answered. My daughter had no open abrasions on her and still caught it. ?????
  

• carol // Dec 12, 2006 at 11:38 pm

  My 16 year old granddaughter just got diagnosed today with MRSA. But we can’t seem to get the right answers to our questions. She is an athlete and I woul like to know what specialists should be contacted for answers? She is in a lot of pain, lost of abscesses and we need to know how to what to do.
  

• Denise // Dec 19, 2006 at 2:36 pm

  My daughter has itching hives from the mersa on a daily basis. The doctors have no answers for it. I know she is itching terribly because I too now have mersa.
  I want to be told a regimine to follow for fewer boil out breakes. My daughtert has had just the one episode three months ago.
  

• Carlla // Dec 21, 2006 at 6:10 am

  I am 23. I’ve had mrsa for 3 years before doctors could tell me what it was. I have 5 children ages 2 mos, 1, 3, 5, and 8 they also have mersa along with my husband and they’ve been treated, but the mersa keeps coming back. I get it the worst and I’ve been treated with so many different medications (bactrim, rifampin, doxycycline, betasept..ect) nothing seems to work.( I feel like giving up) We are covered in the scares that mersa leaves. I had to quit my job and I clean obsessively. I’ve been living with this problem and having out breaks frequently. Someone please help my family !
  

• Lauren // Dec 24, 2006 at 9:03 am

  I am 22 years old. I was diagnosed with MRSA about a week ago. I have so many questions that are unresolved. First, what can I do to make someone around here listen?? The doctors treat it as a “headache” and I read online how horrible this desease is. They never even told me about it, I found out only because I work with the healthsystem let alone hospitalize me. I am so nervous my son will catch this. I am totally unsure of what precautions to take at home. Where can I go to find some answers? Do I need to go back and get retested after I am off of antibiotics>?
  

• laura // Dec 24, 2006 at 9:43 am

  lauren… just to fill you in on the info i found out. my daughter caught it to… luckily it was just one abcess. but i kept it covered and kept her from school. if the abcess comes in contact with sheets or clothes bleach them in very hot water, towels too! (so try to use whites!) and only use things once between washes. that has worked for us. she is off her meds and i am one day away from it. my doctor told me that if neither one of us gets an abcess within a week of being off antbiotics, then were no longer contagious. and lysol should always be used, i used it on everything constantly.
  

• Gale Hartney // Dec 24, 2006 at 1:02 pm

  I was just diagnosed with mrsa I was in a auto accident 24 years ago had both legs crushed Plates and pins and screws instaled had a infection when I left the hospital ostimilites now it has turned into MRSA now on iv Vancomycin twice a day been on it for 8 days tell you if it works. Have alot of qustions to ask but don’t know who to ask. Gale
  

• Gloria // Dec 25, 2006 at 5:11 pm

  I have had MSRA for over a year. I have found no way to prevent the misery. I hope that someone develops a vaccine!

  My first breakout came a week after surgery in Aug 05. Since then, I have had several breakouts including a breakout in Oct 06 on the open drainage site from back surgery. I had to be hospitalized again and treated surgically. What a miserable problem we have.

  When I get the dreaded red node, I go to the walk in clinic to get antibiotics - for me it is Augmentin that works right now. (this is the third rx that I have tried) I have taken antibiotic injections for one attack. The boil must become “ripe” and drained. (PAIN)

  My primary care physician had no clue how to treat the MRSA. The doctors at the walk in are familiar with the disease/condition.
  

• Lisa // Dec 27, 2006 at 3:04 pm

  my dad has alzheimers disease and he was recently diagnosed with mrsa about 6 weeks ago and my mom is devastated as the alzheimers disease is enough to handle as she is the primary caretaker at home. My 1st question is would this mrsa problem be passed onto someone by sharing a hair clipper if the person whom owned it used it for shaving an area with the furnuncles?? The razor was cleaned with rubbing alcohol 91 % isopropyl before using on my dad to whom has alzheimers, his resistance or immune system is low because of the alzheimers anyhow. We are confused and hoping this goes away. He has taken the new experimental anti-biotic linezolid and also the dr. gave them a cream to apply to the nose where the swelling took place.I dont know what to ask here but any tips or helpful hint will help. we are very clean hygeine oriented and have use lysol for disinfecting. Pleas anyone help !!!!
  

• Pamela // Dec 27, 2006 at 8:44 pm

  I was dx with MRSA two months ago. It started out as, what I thought, was an insect bite. But I was wrong, within two days of getting it, I had to go to the doctors. He told me that it wasn’t a big deal and he was seeing as many as six cases a week with the same dx. He gave me an antibiotic and sent me home. The infection went away about two weeks later. Now here it is two months later and I have another out break, but not on the same leg. Is it possible that it will keep showing up in different places? And is this something that I will have to live with for ever? I have two small boys and the last thing I want is for them to get it. If anyone could advice that would be wonderful.
  

• Josh // Dec 28, 2006 at 2:23 am

  My brother was dx with MRSA it infected his blood he is on life support and in critical condition his lungs are failing,kiddneys,liver,and even his heart. He is only 24yrs old , has anyone ever heard of this serious of case and the survival rate in someone this young…..family needs answers and prayers
  

• christina // Dec 28, 2006 at 7:46 am

  Josh, we will keep your family in our prayers - unfortunately what is happening is not as uncommon as one would hope, and is the reason we are here. My husband survived it, and I sure pray that your brother does too.
  

• Lory // Dec 28, 2006 at 10:09 am

  I have almost EXACTLY the same story as Pamela. I had “spider bites” supposedly onone leg at first, then after the antibiotics they got better. then a few weeks later I got more, then ANother antibiotic and it spread to the other thigh, that happened 4 times before I finally got diagnosed with MRSA and put on the RIGHT antibiotics. it was horrible, I couldnt walk or work. I have 2 small boys and now I’m worried about them as well.
  

• KIM // Dec 28, 2006 at 10:53 am

  I WAS FOUND OUT THAT I HAVE MRSA LAST YEAR. SOMEHOW IT CAME BACK EXACTLY A YEAR LATER. THIS TIME I HAD TO GET BY BACK LANCED 6 INCHES WIDE, AND 2 INCHES DEEP. I WAS WONDERING IS THERE ANY CURE OF THIS, BECAUSE I’M STARTING TO THINK ONCE YOU HAVE IT, YOU HAVE IT FOR LIFE. IF SOMEONE OUT THERE CAN HELP, “PLEASE DO!!!!!!!!!!!”
  

• Josh // Dec 29, 2006 at 12:08 am

  does anyone know about the drug XIGRIS? My brother has been on it for a couple of days now the doctors are realy concerned about the condition of his lungs. Last night they had to put a air hose in the side of his bodie to go in to his lung. They said he developed a hole in his lung due to the ventilator?
  

• Jenna // Jan 1, 2007 at 9:46 am

  Josh, I have seen a case as serious as ur brothers. My boyfriends 17 years old cousin was taken to the hospital because she was starting to swell around her throat and couldnt breath. She had MRSA in her lungs and her blood was infected. She stopped breathing on her own and she was put on a ventilator, but she had brain damage due to lack of oxygen. The doctors had never seen anything like it before and didnt know what to do, and she died 12 hours later. No one knew she had MRSA and it was too late for her. I pray that your brother’s MRSA was detected soon enough and that he will be ok.
  

• deb // Jan 3, 2007 at 12:41 am

  what’s really interesting is that MRSA can stay dorment for any length of time and still become infectious to any one in contact with it. Where was MRSA before HIV, and where was HIV before HEP C. Ask yourselves this one question?
  When has good old pennicillin ever failed to deliver anibiotic to the body in order to fight off any infection? Only when the germ was put there, and believe me it has been very well , skilled, mastered, tried, and then released to the population. Only the strong survive!!!!!
  

• andrea // Jan 3, 2007 at 12:46 pm

  to all in dire need - just read that tea tree oil may help fight MRSA viruses.
  

• Valerie // Jan 3, 2007 at 5:33 pm

  Thank you for all your stories and questions. I have read them all. I have been fighting an infection in my hands since July and it wasn’t untill September it went to my eye and they told me it was mrsa. No other info was provided at the time. After treatments of Vincomycin, which I am now allergic to, my eye healed-not without permanent damage, my hands are still breaking out after treatments of Doxyclycline, Clindamycin, Levaquin, and Zyvox. I am going to the hospital for IV treatment on Fri. Without health insurance I am running out of options, but not hope. I have been supplementing with colloidal silver, stimucell, and enterobiotic S-IGC. So far boils are drying up faster than on drugs. I realize there is much controversy over alternative medicine however for me it seems to be working. I am new at this computer stuff but if anyone would like to write me feel free. I’ll do my best to answer. dogwench@aol.com Just put mrsa under subject. My prayers go out to all of us suffering from this dreadful disease. There has to be an answer somewhere. I would also like to know what to expect in the hospital. Thanks for your help, God Bless All
  

• Dawn // Jan 4, 2007 at 11:43 am

  My father of 82 has MRSA. He contacted it at a hospital and its been 4months now. He is not doing good. His organs are slowly shuting down due to the Vancomycin.
  Where can one get brochures and pass them around to alert people.
  thanks
  

• Pamela // Jan 5, 2007 at 3:41 pm

  Well I have just read all the new entries. My heart goes out to each and everyone of you. Maybe the New Year will bring better health to all of us.
  I finished my second round of antibiotics earlier this week. This outbreak wasn’t as bad as the first one. I hope that I’m lucky enough to catch and treat it next time before it enters my blood stream.
  I haven’t had much luck from my doctor on information, that is why I turn to all of you.
  As long as wel have this infection, we are the best source of advertising for it. We need to tell people about it and how dangerous it is. Word of mouth is the best weapon we have right now to fight this. God bless all of you.
  

• Wendi // Jan 5, 2007 at 6:22 pm

  My husband was diagnosed with MRSA in May 2005 went into his bloodstream caused all of his joints to swell and his doctor sent us to Rheumatologist, which diagnosed him with something called Ankylosing Spondylitis and gave him RX similar to chemotherapy and he is to take this for 3 years. Now I have just been diagnosed with MRSA and I have found that MRSA can cause septic arthritis, symptoms are exactly what Ankylosing Spondylitis is, what should I do. Also I havent slept in days, I have developed OCD about cleaning and fear every second that our 5year old will get this from us..Please help, please?
  

• Louise // Jan 7, 2007 at 2:20 pm

  I first got this in 2002 and was told it was an allergic reaction from a spider bit when I lived in Fresno. The doctor treated it with a topical and an antibiotic. It crept up again this summer (July) on my right side below my breast. With lancing, antibiotics it cleared up…the doctors said it was MRSA, but didn’t tell me anything about this infection. I been trreated with Keflex, Doxycycine, and others with some success until the reoccurrance. My house has been cleaned to the point of being a sterile lab.

  I’m still breaking out…under my arms, side of my face and neck, sides.

  I have had breakouts months since…usually around my period. I’m having another right now on my right forearm and it is painful and sore but draining with heat.

  I need to know what I can do dietary wise to build up my immune system. Does this thing go “dormant” only to resurface?

  Since childhood, I had “cold sores” that developed in my nose. I thought that was all they were until I started to get educated. Now I am beginning to believe I’ve had this colony for over 40 years.

  HELP!
  

• Gloria // Jan 9, 2007 at 12:12 pm

  Valerie,
  You mentioned some supplements that you are taking. Would you mind listing them, where you get them and the cost. I hope it is not too imposing.
  I am trying Ester C, Echenachea, folic acid, and B vitamins.

  Wendi,
  I kind of feel obsessed with cleaning. When my grandson lived with me, for over a year, he did not develop mrsa. I used those antibacterial wipes for everything I touch. Found a product called Staph Attack on the internet and ordered it. Now I use that with the antibacterial wipes. I use Antibacterial Body Wash for showers as well as hands. At work, I carry antibacterial wipes for my hands and the desks, etc. I also have the antibacterial hand liquid (over 60% alcohol) for times when I can’t get to soap and water. I change sheets often and wash all my laundry in hot water. Yeah, I feel like a cleaning nut.
  

• Lisa // Jan 9, 2007 at 4:33 pm

  If mrsa gets into the eyes what happens and how long does it take before symptoms develop? What are the symptoms ?
  

• mary // Jan 10, 2007 at 10:07 pm

  mrsa in the family-started with a boil-did not have bactroban nasal medication-came down with high fever-pain in leg-leg swelled-red-hot to touch-vancomycin and rifampin-rifampin did it -it got the numbers down- I watched the infection go away with the rifampin-it is going to be a long road back-much needed medicine for a long time -other complications-too many to mention-if you have a boil please keep it clean-go to doctor-get medicine-get the bactroban for in the nose-wash your hands often-warm soapy water-God Bless
  

• Janice // Jan 12, 2007 at 10:29 pm

  I just found out today that I have MRSA I went to the Doctors for him to recheck my finger after he had done surgery on it this week to drain it and my swollen hand. I don’t think I have had anything that hurt as much as this has. And as I was was getting ready I notice another sore on the very next finger just appeared. It made me sick, at the thought that I would be going though this sicking pain again. and wondering how I got this strain of staph. He also told me that it was not contagious, Because I told him my grandson stays often at my house. So he gave me a new prescription to see how it will work on the new outbreak. After reading all the stories submitted I’m not to happy so if anyone out ther has anywords of incorrigment I would be glad to hear from them.
  

• Dawn // Jan 13, 2007 at 2:26 pm

  Thank you Pam, I know that everyone on the board is the best advertising. I never knew what MRSA was until my father came up with it. I usually read up on things medically but this..I missed. And I am not suprised, no one wants to discuss it at times. Now AARP had an article on MRSA and I need to find it. It was a 2006 issue. For everyone here that has MRSA, please keep your faith it will help your strength in dealing with this.

  Blessings to all in ‘07 with better health`
  

• Harriet Early // Jan 18, 2007 at 10:08 am

  My husband has just been diagnosed with MRSA. He has been dealing with this for about a month and a half because the dermatolagist could figure out what it was. For the past two/three week he has been suffering from back, chest pain. Could this be a result of the MSRA?
  

• Gale Hartney // Jan 21, 2007 at 6:06 am

  Hi
  I have been on Vancomycin for 6 weeks treatment for Mrsa seams to be working.As the dranage from the wound is drying up. Have two more weeks to go. My infection started out as ostimilites then turned in to mrsa. hope it works.
  If you have any further info please let me know.
  my email is MrFiero@AOL.COM
  

• Dawn // Jan 21, 2007 at 6:38 am

  Louise,
  Lysine (Walgreens, drugstore) & Vit -C also works with the immune system. Plus, try not to stress out so much as this also lower the immune system and thats proof of a cold sore attack. I take Lysine to prevent the cold sores and it does put the Herpes Virus back into dormant..let us know if this works.
  

• melissa // Jan 22, 2007 at 12:05 am

  i, my name is melissa i was diagnosed with mrsa last week i have a five year old who had mrsa two and a half years ago and i just got married last month… i am 25 years old and to me i feel like i am just starting my life and i dont know what to expect with this… but my story is a little different see my son did have sores on his butt and on his arm and leg… but i dont have these i have had this gross green stuff come out of my nose that everyone just told me was just a cold and then chronic sinus infections.
  i just recently got my husbands insurance so i did not see a doctor about this until last week and he tested the mucus from my nose which tested positive for mrsa… i am scared even more because i might be pregnant so i the doctor says i cant take my antibiotic which is velaquin. i still don know how i am still alive with that infection in me for who knows how long that stuff has been coming out of my nose for almost nine months now. we were not on any birth control and we had sex while i was ovulating it might be all in my head but it is too soon to take a pregnancy test but i am starting to get really scared the doctor was not any help he was a ent doctor i dont know what kind of specialist to see and i cant get a soon enough appointment do you know if i can just go to the emergency room and say i am not leaving until i am better or i know how to get better?? please any info will help i am clueless i am scared my son will get this again is it possible i caught it from him three years ago almost with out him having any new sores?
  do you know if i am pregnant if it will affect the baby or do you know who i can ask because the doctor would not give me any info…

  thank you so much and may God be with you

  melissa
  

• judi // Jan 24, 2007 at 10:53 pm

  i had my first mrsa outbreak almost a year ago, but i was not properly diagnosed until about two weeks ago. i went to the doctor with a baseball size carbuncle under my arm that had well over 16 heads. absolutely the grossest and most painful thing i’ve ever experienced. i’ve been put on bactrim as well as mupirocin nasal spray and was given chlorhexidine to wash with. The combination has been miraculous. I’ve also found that tea tree oil is a good antiseptic to use to wash the wound. i’ve have had 5 outbreaks since last may, each one worse than the last. My doctor is optimistic that this treatment will help me get rid of the infection. i hope this helps someone out there.
  

• Lauren // Jan 29, 2007 at 11:24 am

  Someone please help! I’ve had MRSA for about 2 years now. I’m only 22 and this is not the way or what I want to die from. About a week ago I went to a local infectious disease doctor. He gave me 3 diff RX’s. I’m trying the things he told me to do like clean under my nails, wash everything and start fresh from when I begin the RX which I have. The doctor also told me to use this scrub which is called Chlorhexydine. (it comes it a bluish, green bottle. You use it after your normal shower but before you actually get out. You put it on from your nose to your toes and leave it on for a minute than rinse it off. I’ really sick of these skin boils and they leave scars. They’re ugly! If anyone knows any cures, please let me know. I dont want to live with this forever.
  

• Sara // Jan 31, 2007 at 2:14 pm

  Hello, My daughter 7 months old was dx yesterday with MRSA. They put her on Sulfamethoxasole w/tmp susp. I was told this staph is very resistant but was also told it can be cured. By reading what everyone else writes it doesnt seem to be. She has had 3 boils in the past month. And its starting to seem she got it from getting her ears pierced. Im not sure though. I dont really know what to think or what to do, like i said, by reading everyones statements on here it doesnt seem like something that goes away.
  

• mary // Jan 31, 2007 at 5:28 pm

  I know this can be cured-it takes diligence on the Medical Community’s part and on the patient and patient’s family’s part. We alternate bleach-alcohol to clean surfaces-no sharing towels or face cloths-keep numbers down-get the precise medication for pathogen-this is identified by blood cultures-Try Staph-a-septic-look on line-google it and it will tell you where you can buy it near you-tee tree oil-nasal bactroban-keep hands clean always-cover boils and get treated immediately-Infectious Disease Specialist is the way to go-children can get very sick from this-can develop ostomyelitis from this as well as other complications. Eat right and get plenty of rest. Let’s all fight this together-God Bless-Keep the prayers going.
  

• Sarah // Jan 31, 2007 at 9:39 pm

  MRSA is a terrible infection that no one should have to deal or live with. Unfortunately, some people do have to struggle with it every day, but many people are being and have been cured. I contracted the infection about one year ago. It was not an easy battle, especially as the first site that opened was on my leg and I am a dancer in college. But, with wonderful medical aid, diligent self-care, loving friends, and homeopathy (Echinacea, goldenseal, and other herbs for healing and immune boosting) I am healing. I just want those that join this group to have hope that they can be cured and heal. I truly feel that herbology, feeling loved, and staying positive helped immensely. I suggest that some people look to alternative medicines like herbology along with doctor prescribed anti-biotics. Antibiotics do kill the good bacteria in your intestines along with the bad, so I’ve been taking a probiotic (also found in live-culture yogurts) which has helped my stomach. I’m praying for you all to have faith in your own ability to heal and stay positive.
  

• Kathleen // Jan 31, 2007 at 11:25 pm

  My husband had to go into a nursing home after contacting MRSA in the hosp. He got it four years ago when he had surgery and now it has reapeared Does anyone have a cure for it He has been in the nursing home three weeks, has to stay there because he is having intervenious antiobotics every six hours, Insurance wont pay for it at home, I plan on giveing him a lot of vitamin C seleium, zinc vitamin D and Probotics when he gets home I welcome any suggestions thanks to all of you for shareing
  

• Dawn // Feb 3, 2007 at 8:29 pm

  Kathleen,
  Several antibiotics can be used to treat most staph infections, including MRSA. From what my family has been told Vancomycin has been the most effective and reliable drug in these cases, but is used intravenously and is not effective for treatment of MRSA when taken by mouth.
  Give him vitamins and buikd up his immune system. I dont have MRSA but my father contracted it through a hospital and has never been the same. He is 82 and is stable, due to the Vancomycin.
  “Few antibiotics are available to treat more serious MRSA infections. These include vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS), and linezolid (Zyvox).”

  This came from this website:

  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007261.htm
  

• mary // Feb 7, 2007 at 8:55 pm

  so happy to share that my realtive has been to infectious disease specialist today-only one more week of PIC line-going back to school tomorrow-so by next week it will have been 6 weeks on Iv vancomycin-success! Keep fighting this disease-we will win—Prayers to all-Keep the Faith-
  

• Josh // Feb 7, 2007 at 11:11 pm

  my little brother is still alive but the doctors say that he has a new case of MRSA called necrotizing MRSA pnomonia…… He’s only 24 and he has 6 chest tubes has anyone heard of a strain this serious?
  

• Monica // Feb 8, 2007 at 2:09 pm

  I’m a 19 year old college student. I was diagnosed with mrsa only one month ago, but I think I’ve had it for close to one year. I was initially treated with the antibiotic Cefadroxil 500 mg and Mupricin 2% ointment. The boils cleared up after being lanced by a dermatologist, but I unfortunately got a new boil this past week. I am now on Doxycycline and using an iodine wash.
  I am allergic to septra and all sulfa drugs, as well as clyndomycin. I am therefore even further restricted in the types of medicines I can use to fight off the infection.
  I live in a dorm room with four other girls, all of whom are very scared to catch what I have. Now that I have an abcess, I have bagged all of my sheets and wash obsessively, but I am unsure of what else I can do.
  The Health Center at my school does not know much about mrsa and was responsible for misdiagnosing me many times throughout first semester. They told me I had scabies, a viral infection, scarlet fever, and many other improbable conditions. I don’t really know if I can even trust their judgment anymore.
  Please, if anyone has any suggestions for me, please let me know. Should I be attending classes? Should I go home? I don’t want to be infecting my campus, but no one seems to be taking it very seriously.
  This is a very scary and confusing thing for me to deal with. I just want to put myself and my roommates at ease.
  Also, if anyone has any other suggestions for medications that I am not allergic to that might work better, please let me know.
  

• mary // Feb 8, 2007 at 5:03 pm

  Monica, Who diagnosed the MRSA? One suggestion I would have is go to an infectious disease specialist-one who has treated this successfully in the past. Sometimes people need IV treatment-I do not know if you are one of those people, but a blood culture would tell you what you need to know-then the Doctors can treat you more exactly. My relative has been on vancomycin for almost 6 weeks-started with a boil last April-It went away but sort of laid dormant for months-and caused a severe infection. She was in hospital for almost three weeks-then went home on PIC line IV-she is much better-only one more week of the line-but doctors keep testing blood. Best of Luck-I hope you get all better soon. We wash clothes with bleach-surface clean with bleach and alcohol-any cuts are treated immediately-with staph-a-septic, then covered with bandaid., careful washing warm soap and water. Hands have to be kept very clean. Remember the germs like moist warm places to hide like under arms, folds of skin, in between toes, in the belly button. Let’s beat this monster.
  

• mary // Feb 8, 2007 at 5:17 pm

  to Josh, My relative was in critical condition-has your brother been put on Rifampin? he is still fighting, is he on Vancomycin? Will he have surgery? I will keep him in my prayers. The Rifampin goes directly to the lungs. I had to learn that the hard way. Maybe the doctors can give him Rifampin? It seemed to help the vancomycin work much better whe it was prescribed-I remember waiting all night for the pharmacy in the hosputal to get it to her-but we noticed a difference within hours. I hope this is helpful.
  

• Kathy // Feb 10, 2007 at 6:09 pm

  I was diagnosed with MRSA on 1/3/07. It was the second time I had a big red welt on my left side. The first one I noticed the week after Thanksgiving, it was on my left hip. I asked the doctor about it and she stuck two needles in and drained it. For the next three weeks I applied hot compresses, kept the wound covered with an antibiotic ointment and a bandaid and took an antibiotic. Then on 12/28 I went back to the Dr. with a new hot red lump. This one a on my left thigh. After a few days on the new antibiotic (bactrim ) this one was getting worse. I went back to the Dr. who got me an appointment with a surgen the following day. He cut the absess open ,dug out the infection and told me it looked like MRSA, but the culture wouldn’t be back for a few days. The culture came back MRSA. He prescribed a cream to put in my nose twice daily and said to continue taking the bactrim. I was also told to wash the wound daily with peroxide and keep it covered until there was nothing comming out. About three weeks later, just as my second lump was healing I found another lump. We started again cut it, drain it, clean it daily with peroxide and keep it covered. This time he prescribed Zyvox which seems to be helping. I feel like I should buy stock in the chlorox company. I spray the shower down after I shower with a mixture of 1/3 bleach and 2/3 water, use chlorox wipes everywhere and lots of hand sanatizer. My MRSA so far has only appeared on the left side of my body.
  I have recently noticed that a few of my teeth are turning black. Has anyone heard of this? At this point every little thing has me wondering if it is connected to the MRSA.
  

• judi // Feb 10, 2007 at 7:54 pm

  Monica — i’m sorry that you have developed this at such a young age and i’m sure it is very difficult to deal with being in a dorm. i’m 47 and had my first outbreak in may of last year. i was not actually tested for mrsa until last month and the test was positive. i’ve had about 5 or 6 episodes since may. the last dr i went to put me on bactrim and prescribed an antibacterial cleanser (HIBICLENS) as well as a nose spray (CALLED OCEAN SPRAY) which can be purchased over the counter at walmart. also, try putting tea tree oil (also at walmart) on the sores. it really does help to heal them up. best of luck to you, keep us posted.
  

• Susan // Feb 14, 2007 at 9:31 am

  I was diagnosed with MRSA 2/13/07, Im kinda freaked out about this.I’ve had 3 lumps total. The last lump or abscess was on the left side of my chin, it looked awful and it hurt. My doc put me on Bactrim, March 6th I go back to see if its colonized. What in the world does that mean?
  

• Kathy // Feb 22, 2007 at 7:42 pm

  I was just informed today 2/22/07 that my culture came back and I do have MRSA. I am not sure how bad it is,but I had both underarms lanced on Monday 2/19/07 and I have been in pain for about a week. My husband says there are different levels of MRSA but I don’t know exactly what all of this means.I do know that I am scared for my health and I hope I can fight this off. I go back to the doctor on Monday,so I guess I’ll know more then. Meanwhile, I’ll just keep taking my medicine and pray that it helps.
  

• Rebecca // Feb 23, 2007 at 2:11 pm

  My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. My nephew (7 yrs old) is currently in ICU. He has been there officially for a week. He first went in because he was not able to breath, during transport from one hospital to another he went into cardiac arrest. He is now on an ECMO machine, he has been on it since last Thursday. His lungs, heart, and kidneys are not working w/0 life support. They have drained 1/2 his body weight in fluid from his chest (fluid that is not even in his lungs), they have put tubes in his lungs to drain them as well. His little arms and feet have turned blue (lack of circulation) and he is full of fluids. You can’t even touch him w/o sores forming, because his skin is stretched out from all the fluid retention. The doctors told my brother yesterday that his son has MRSA. We are all in a lot of heartache and pain. They did an EEG on my nephew yesterday because he is having brain seizures and they do not know if he has suffered severe brain damage. They can’t give him an MRI at this time because he is to weak and can’t be put into the MRI with the life support. They are getting very minimal brain wave activity from the EEG tests.
  I’ve never heard of MRSA until now. And we are all dumbfounded as to how he got this. We don’t know if he contracted it in the hospital, or if it was the original cause of his severe sickness.
  When he first got sick his symptoms were fever and very dry cough. The morning my sister in law took him to the doctor they said he had croup, he was in ICU by the following day. That is how fast this took hold of his little body. Since he has been on life-support since last Friday, it seems odd to me that they are just now telling us he has MRSA. I don’t understand why they were unable to identify it last week.
  They have told my brother and his wife that they need to think of taking my nephew off of life support, but at this time they are not going to do that. We refuse to give up.
  Please please please pray for my nephew, he needs all of the help he can get.
  If anyone could share their thoughts with me on this, or let me know if they’ve heard the outcome of these situations please let me know.
  My thoughts and prayers are with all of you as well.
  

• steve // Feb 24, 2007 at 8:29 am

  Went to infectious disease specialist after my 3rd
  outbreak and 2nd surgical removal.
  I have been recovering for 11 weeks !!
  Each time the anti-biotics were done within 10 days another outbreak.
  I’m now on heavy dose’s of bactrin(4 a day)and wound is healing well. The real test will be when the medicine is discontinued , only time will tell.
  if i had known to see a SPECIALIST perhaps i could have prevented the 2nd & 3rd outbreak, may have saved alot of $$$ and prolonged suffering and pain.
  My advice to anyone is to see your Dr ASAP
  if you have a boil or spider-bite. insist on a NASAL SWAB for lab-testing.
  If MRSA confirmed see a SPECIALIST!!!
  If anyone you know is entering a hospital for ANYTHING, have them request a NASAL SWAB upon admitting and discharge.
  This could save them alot of agony and protect loved ones.
  

• Jill // Feb 26, 2007 at 5:38 pm

  It all started with a boil on my son’s leg. Eventually, my husband and my youngest son had them too. I was the only one in the house without a rison (spelling?). However, a few months later, I noticed that my nose was quite sore to the touch…very painful. My husband came to the rescue…we thought…pulled out the infected hair…and doctored it with medicine. I had immediate relief. However, the next day, i noticed a red area veining down from the corner of my mouth to my jawline. It was hard and sore to the touch. This was a Wednesday. That same day, while walking out of my office, I was hit with a strange and severe chest pain. It went away as quickly as it came. But, my head begain to hurt. That night, I had a seizure, which was not that unusaul since I suffer from non-epileptic seizures from time to time. For some reason, after having the seizures, I don’t have lasting affects, so when woke up the next morning with really bad chest pain and a bad headache…and this hard veining still there, in my heart of hearts, I knew something was wrong. I called my doctor’s office, but could only see a new physician…However, I knew I didn’t need to wait. He was problem #1. He took my temp…didn’t have one…as my temp runs low to begin with. He told me that I just had myalgia from the seizure. I told him that I did not agree with him…that this had never happened before…and that I could hardly breathe. He then agreed to do an x-ray. Nothing showed up. He came back to me and said, “Again, we have eliminated anything life threatening or serious. The chest x-ray was normal.” I asked him if he thougth we needed to do blood work. He said, “No, it’s just myalgia. If something was seriously wrong, it would show up on the x-ray.” I felt foolish and went on to work. But, as I sat there, I felt my body truly declining. My boss walked by and took one look at me…and instructed me to go home. I went back to work again on Friday…thinking that I was just having muscle pain. I left early again. That night, I was in excruciating pain in my chest. Breathing was almost impossible. I could not sleep. I could not get comfortable. The veining was now very swolen and red. I woke my husband at 6 am and asked him to take me to the hospital. Since my diagnosis had been just muscle pain, he tried to encourage me to take something for pain and try to get comfortable. I knew something was horribly wrong. I was losing it…and losing it quickly. This was Saturday. I remember arriving at the emergency room and being told that the same doctor that diagnosed me with myalgia was on call again. With his arrogance he walked into the room and said to me, “I’ve already told you, we have eliminated anything serious or life threatening.” I didn’t respond to him. Since we had left the kids at home, my husband left me thinking I would be okay…and my mother would join me momentarily…everything would be fine…At this point, I lost consciousness. I only remember waking a couple of times over the several days. I remember screaming in pain when they tried to budge me. I was placed on antibiotic to handle a normal staph infection…and dilaudid for pain. I only got worse. My temp went to 105. The right side of my face swelled to connect with my shoulder. My bottom lip swelled and turned down completely, peeling off and leaving me with permanent swelling and blue discoloration on the lip…and scarring on the side of my face and jawline. The doctors did not make progress, so an Infectious Disease doctor was called in. I do remember him coming into my room. It was as if something supernatural was happening. He came in and saw me…and said, “Oh, my God.” The entire time, I had not been isolated, nurses were coming and going. Family members was coming and going. He then said, “Let’s get her to the Unit.” This was on Tuesday. Somewhere between then and when I woke up the next time, I went into respiratory arrest. At this point of consciousness, I was halluciating. My nurse had purple eyes…Drew Carey was in my room…and there was purple cursive writing on the ceiling, but I couldn’t read it. They found that I had MRSA staph and it had traveled to my lungs. They had to add a steroid for the vancomycin (spelling?) to begin working. I ended up with a tube running out of my back to drain the fluid which had collected, a catheter and feeding tube in my nose. They kept a close watch on my face, as they intended to slice the skin along the jawline, to relieve some of the pressure. For some reason, this really bothered me. I was dying, but when they told me about cutting me, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. This made me cry. After only 3 weeks, I developed a reaction to the antibiotic. I had red-man syndrome, was scalded on the inside and out. I threw up at the mention of food (and if you know me…I LOVE food). I grew severely depressed (and I have OCD) and addicted to the pain medication. They had to take me off of it…which put me through horrible withdrawals. The second antibiotic only worked for a about a week and I had a reaction to it as well. I itched so badly and still could not eat. By then, they had placed me in Long Term Care and had finally taken me off of oxygen. I started physical, respiratory and occupational therapy. I couldn’t walk by myself. Breathing was still quite difficult and extremely painful. The day I left the hospital, I was able to keep a few bites down. By then, I had been free of MRSA for about a week. The left the hospital after 5 and a half weeks…on the Wednesday before Christmas on Monday. I did my Christmas shopping and returned to work the following Tuesday…the day after Christmas. I wanted to get on with my life and move forward. I look back now and wonder WHY?! I pushed myself sooo hard. I still have chest pain from the lung scarring. I still have scarring on my jawline. I still have a blue bottom lip. Medications don’t work like they used to, because of the damage to my liver…and my increased tolerance to drugs. But, every once in a while, I completely stopped in my tracks with the thought of what really happened…how close was I to dying…why didn’t someone tell me. I had no idea during the sickness…the gravity of the situation. Today, I try to find information on CA-MRSA which lead to the lungs, but not much is out there. I really would like to correspond with someone that could give me insight. You don’t always get staph from the hospital………
  

• Jen // Mar 1, 2007 at 12:13 pm

  Hello, I currently work in the microbiology department of a hospital. And I will tell all of you that MRSA is a very big problem. The major problem is that there are 2 types of MRSA community acquired and hospital acquired. And studies are now beginning to show that the 2 may merge and become even worse. I can tell you that hospital acquired is the better to have. The community acquired is much more resistant. MRSA is a product of overuse of antibiotics. these microbes are adapting in order to survive. MRSA can also be colonized in a person. If this is the case it lives inside you. A nasal swab culture would determine this. If this is than yes more than likely if you get staph infections it will more than likely always be MRSA. Hand washing is the best prevention. When in the hospital do NOT ever let a DR, nurse, or aide touch you without you first personally seeing them wash their hands. When you do get outbreaks that need to be treated it is important to have it cultured. MRSA is getting more and more resistant which means antibiotics that have previously worked may no longer work. Each infection will be different. The more you use a particular antibiotic the greater the chance is that the infection will be resistant to it. MRSA is just the tip of the iceberg. Many other organisms are becoming more and more resistant. I would like to also add that just because someone is colonized or should I say a carrier does not mean it will make them sick. It just means that when an infection occurs it has a higher probablity of being a MRSA infection. There are some body washes available for people with MRSA in other countries I do not know if they are available in the states. The Netherlands has successfully irradicated MRSA. Using the body washes, nasal creams, and when hospital personnel have become carriers they are treated and not allowed to work until they are no longer harborers of MRSA. The US are not doing anything like this. The cost is outragious because it is so prevalent. But I would bet that eventually the whole world will have to do something similiar eventually. Also I would like to add that MRSA skin infections often do start out looking like they are spider bites.
  

• Mary // Mar 1, 2007 at 5:41 pm

  Jill and all, I am writing again because this disease is so ravaging-it tries to take hold, and unless the doctors are really agressive it becomes severe. I have seen this in a child. It was stopped in its tracks with vancomycin and Rifampin-I believe the Rifampin helped the Vancomycin to work. It traveled to lung-near heart and caused a blood clot that did the worst possible thing-broke off to the lung. Thank God that the monitors were on-they beeped to alert the nurse who had to give oxygen-constant monitoring of temp and oxygen saturation throught the night. Who would think this could all start from a festering boil. Do not allow a boil to fester-keep it clean-have it checked right way you fought the beast Jill, and you won. Hand washing is key-for all of us. This can get down into the bone which it did in our family-muscle and bone-they put a child on morphine for the pain that this caused. I never want to see it rear it’s ugly head again. To God be the Glory. We prayed and put oil on her leg all night. God Bless
  

• Rebecca // Mar 1, 2007 at 9:22 pm

  If you read my previous post. Please pray for my family. My nephew passed away lassed Tuesday.
  MRSA took his young life.

  This is a serious disease! Please please please I beg you, if you of someone you know gets sick, has unexplainable symptoms force your doctor to give you a staph test. This staph does not discriminate, it will take the old the young and everyone in between. Americans need to STOP taking antibiotics for every cough and sniffle so that these superbugs and be killed with antibiotics. They have mutated and found a way to survive because we don’t take any responsibilitly for our health. We expect to go the th doctor get a pill and like magic be better. This is not the way to be healthy. And it is killing so many innocent people.
  I know that my nephew is with God, and that is a thought I hang on to dearly. But this could have been avoided. Doctors need to wake up and pay attention to this awful superbug.

  Again, I pray for all of you suffering or having a loved one suffer from this. My love and good thoughts go out to all of you.
  

• heather // Mar 2, 2007 at 2:30 pm

  my daughter is 3 and has been fighting mrsa for over a year. we were in the hospital for over a week in nov, i thought it was gone and one week after i ended up with my first boil. I have done the protocall 100 times I think, I am a very clean person, I bleach every day now, we bathe in bleach we have done the vank and the bactrum the sulfate drugs the clendomyacin, and now i have been boil free since nov i just had one return what can i do???
  

• Jill // Mar 3, 2007 at 2:32 pm

  By nature, when I have a catastrophe, I just get up and keep going. I’m always afraid I might miss something. But, this illness shut me down. I had nothing to do but be still and know that I was not in control. In the beginning, I was very unaware of the severity of the problem. I know think that was a blessing, but a part of me wants to go and read my records…find out everything. Why? Because, even today, after beating this disease, I still deal with it both emotionally and medically. I continue to have the chest pain, which I can certainly live with, but the nausea has seemed to become permanent. Each time I go back to the doctor, I’m told that whatever is wrong…is a result of my illness. As a matter of fact, even my medications don’t work the same. My doctor stated that the obsorption in the liver had changed. Why wasn’t I prepared for this? I constantly have sores in my mouth. My hairs texture will never be the same…nor the color. My face aged YEARS. Before my illness, I NEVER had to wear foundation…EVER. I had a smooth complexion. Now, I have age spots all over my face (from the liver?), dark circles under my eyes, pores the size of lakes, eyes that are huge and lines that go on for days. I know this all sounds superficial, but I now know that the outside only mirrors the problems from the inside. That’s why I know I still have problems. Every once in a while…it hits me…I almost died…I should have died…And as I sit here at my desk working on a Saturday, I think I need to perhaps find a way to have more joy…and celebrate the miracle of my life.
  To all of you that are holding on…praying…hoping…needing a miracle…I speak blessings over you and pray for your miracle to come. Mine did. There was a reason for my illness. God doesn’t make mistakes. I just have to stop running…and trying to catch up…and sit still and know that HE is GOD and HE is in control.
  Just this week, my little nephew who is only several months old was hospitalized with a boil on his tummy. We were heartbroken. He was in severe pain. They had to lance it, but he’s now home.
  In my house, we wash at least once a month with Physoderm. At least every month, we swab bactriban (spelling) in our noses, as this is where the virus is carried. But, even still, my husband and son have had a boil each in the past six months. However, they were not MRSA.
  I don’t have any answers, but I truly believe it’s good for me to talk about this…and recognize that although it may be “widespread” the seriousness of the disease is not known by most. And it will never be addressed as long as people walk around with boils uncovered, thinking that they’re not hurting anyone.
  

• john // Mar 5, 2007 at 2:28 am

  Hi, I am a 23 year old male in the US Navy… I have just gotten back from the doctor for my 3rd case of what i and the doctor believe to be MRSA…I am stationed in Lemoore, California…I had an outbreak of this when I was in a school for the navy in Great Lakes, about a month or two after boot camp…I originally thought that this was a spider bite…my “bites” consisted of one on my left thigh right above the knee cap and one on my right forearm about 8 inches above the wrist…I had the one on my forearm lanced, drained and wicked…while the one on my thigh cleared up on its own after a week or so…I just recently got an extremely infected boil on my right knee…about a year and a half after the incident in Great Lakes…I actually just had it drained and wicked today…The doctor made about two steps thru the door and said that looks like MRSA…He did take a culture of it, I am awaiting the results of now…something the Great Lakes dr. didnt do, so i continued to think it was a spider bite until now…This is some really ugly stuff…just thought i would add my comments to this…As this seems to be a subject of more concern…once you have this does it stay in you? thank you, all comments are very much welcomed…Have a great and hopefully mrsa free day!!!
  

• heather // Mar 5, 2007 at 7:33 am

  this is how scary this i get a pimple and istart searching websites im glad i found this but in my last post i thought id had a new mrsa spot but thank the good Lord it wasnt!! but I still am scared to death this thing will come back we have bothe been free from it since nov any suggestions people?? i am so scared it will be back!!
  

• laura // Mar 5, 2007 at 9:35 am

  okay so both my daughter and i had mrsa in the beginning of december and have been fine since. i would like to know if anyone has not had a second outbreak after time. everyone writes in who has had more than one abcess, i think for those of us who have only had one outbreak it would be very reassuring to hear from you.
  

• Elle // Mar 5, 2007 at 3:48 pm

  I had an abcess, and it was drained and then somehow the MRSA got into both of my kidneys. I was treated in a hospital for 15 days my kidneys were drained, then released and on home care with a PICC line for another 15-20 days. I have had no problems since.
  

• Rebecca // Mar 5, 2007 at 9:13 pm

  Josh—how is your brother doing? I am praying for him.
  

• Mary // Mar 6, 2007 at 4:43 pm

  MRSA is a staph infection -(bacterial infection) I think many people think it is a virus-it is resistant bacterium-nasty stuff-wash hands often-warm soapy sudsy water-keep any and all cuts and boils clean and covered. Go to the doctor right away even if you think its a spider bite-which it may not be.I think many of us should check if we are carriers and do the protocal for that. I know I am going to do that. I am going to ask my doctor because I do not want to cause any one to be sick even if I do not get sick myself, I think one can be a carrier. We can only do what we can do.Fight the monster.God Bless all who are touched by this.
  

• Christina // Mar 6, 2007 at 9:23 pm

  I would just like to say that I am so glad that there are so many other people out there who I an relate with about this situation. For the past 5 months I have been in and out of the Doctor’s office because of this and everytime I’ve been there it has been a different diagnosis. I don’t know if it’s just the Military doctor that doesn’t want the patient’s there all day or what but it has been horrible. I have lost count within the first month of the number of these “bumps” I’ve had….i stopped at 25. I am now pregnant, 3 months and I’m scared that MRSA and any antibiotics I may be rx-ed will have a bad effect on my child. Has anyone else been through this part of it too? Any suggestions?
  

• Rhoda // Mar 6, 2007 at 11:08 pm

  Hi. I just saw this one. My daughter just found out that she is pregnant, too. Please share anything you learn about CA MRSA and pregnancy and I will do the same! Thanks and Best Wishes, Rhoda4@hotmail.com
  

• carlla // Mar 7, 2007 at 5:30 am

  Christina, I am also involved with a military doctor. I have a four month old I was diagnosed with MRSA while pregnant with her. I could not take the needed medication while pregnant, so we planned to knock it out after I delivered…. I STILL have MRSA and know my 4 month old has been diagnosed. I was told that she could not catch it because she was so young. That was a lie. I have 5 children and we all have it including my husband. I will pray for you and your baby with the hopes that this will not happen to your child. Keep as clean as possible spray lysol daily(4-5 times a day)bleach everything and was your hands every chance you get. take care I hope this works for you
  

• Jen // Mar 7, 2007 at 8:39 am

  Part of the reason that MRSA is so prevalent is that so many people use antibacterial everything in their homes. Unless someone is sick in your home you do NOT want to do this. Personally I told my daughters kindergarten teacher just recently that I will not nor will my daughter be allowed to use the purell she wanted all the kids to have at the beginning of the year. I want my daughter to keep her normal flora. (the good bacteria that live in and on us everyday) Also I want my daughter to be able to build immunity to germs so she will be better able to fight colds and the flu. Everytime you have a cold or the flu you build immunity and teach your body to fight off stronger things later. By using so many antibacterial and sanitizers we are dooming our children to being sick all the time when they get older. There will be nothing left to use when they truely ill. Nothing will no longer work. We are very close to that point now. By killing off the normal flora in your homes you will become more susceptible to infections because you are not always able to kill off the bad bacteria that adapt in order to stay alive. Also by killing the bacteria that you want you give a breeding ground to these “super bugs” (bacteria like MRSA and others) Yes if you have a cut use antibacterial cream. I’m not saying to not treat your body if you have an injury or if you are colonized with MRSA. To an earlier comment you can be a carrier of MRSA and not get sick. I would bet that at least 70% of health care workers are carriers and don’t even know it. I know that in my area I cannot buy dish detergent that is not antibacterial. These companies are pushing and pushing antibacterial everything these days by using your fears. It is irresponsible of these companies!!!!!! This is a big reason for this epidemic or should I say this pandemic. The other factor is the overuse of antibiotics. If you have a virus antibiotics will NOT help, all you will do is kill all off your normal flora. That is why people get diarrhea from antibiotics. It kills the good flora. And there is alot of bacteria in stool. And really sick people who have been on antibiotics for extended periods have no normal bacteria there and then you have another bacteria to worry about, C-DIFF. I am not saying don’t take antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection, I am saying do not run to the doctor demanding antibiotics for a cold or the flu. There are still alot of doctors out there that do still give antibiotics if the patient says I want one. Also not all infections need antibiotics. If you are otherwise healthy there are alot of infections that do not usually need to be treated. Not all ear infections do however if you have it more than 3 days or if it is severe yes antibiotics is appropriate. And Salmonella in healthy people is eliminated from your body in 3 days. If not then seek treatment. Be careful. To get back to what I was originally going to say. 10% bleach and 90% water is the best thing to use to clean if there is someone in your home with MRSA. But let me tell you if someone is colonized you will NOT be able to remove it from your home no matter how diligent you are unless the carrier is treated and right now the majority of infection control people and doctors are not taking that stand. In the Netherlands they have removed MRSA and continue to fight it. They took drastic steps and pretty much won the battle. But it is VERY expensive to wage the war that the Netherlands did and it is very unlikely the US will be doing it any time soon. There is way too much money to lose. Washing your hands with plain old soap and water is the best thing you can do to prevent the spread. Let me rephrase that put soap in your hands and rub them together while you sing happy birthday when you finish singing it then rinse your hands. Always wash your hands that long especially if you have to pick up a young child and you have MRSA. Everytime before touching or picking up that child. Or touching anything that your child will touch. Especially an infant. They are not born with bacteria. They have no normal flora. But they do begin as soon as they are born. But it takes time they are the most susceptible. HAND WASHING HAND WASHING HAND WASHING with plain old soap (not antibacterial soap) is the BEST thing that can be done to prevent spread.
  

• Molly // Mar 9, 2007 at