my husband and i found out that he has mrsa. how can i tell if i have it and how and when should i get tested?

Answer 1

I was my mother's primary home care provider after she was released from the hospital,with MRSA. I was trained to give the high doses of iv meds, via pic line (vancomycin), as well as oral antibiotics, rifampin, because normal antibiotics do not work, as stated in another answer here. However I disagree that it is not contagious and nothing to worry about. My mother was in a severe car wreck 8 yrs ago, and had multiple life threatening injuries and was in a coma a month. She nearly lost her left leg, and has had numerous surgeries. This has been the path for the MRSA all 4 times she has had it. Once you get it you are more susceptible in the future. I read extensively so I would know what to look for in addition to the training I had from hospital and home health care nurse. Enter MRSA in search engine and learn all you can. You will learn the precautions you need to take. While in general, hospital, medical provider staff may not be at risk, they MOST DEFINITELY are once a patient diagnosis is confirmed. Immediately upon confirmation of her diagnosis, Mom was put in isolation and all hospital staff who had come in direct contact with her had to be tested. All staff then had to wear gowns, gloves, etc. They had initially thought it was just related to her diabetes, since so many diabetics have foot/leg problems. Depending on location and severity, it may take a long time to heal, and yes, sometimes amputation is necessary. The MRSA has gone to and eaten into the bone on 2 of the occasions. We have been lucky so far. But if she gets it again, she is still at risk for amputation. You must make sure he follows up with an infectious disease specialist. They will probably take care of that at the hospital. ASK questions-do not be afraid, shy, feel that your question is not relevant. You should let your primary care physician know immediately, or perhaps your husbands' doctors can assist you with getting the necessary testing done. It is IMPERATIVE that, even at home, only the patient with MRSA use his towels, washcloths, etc. Wash his linens and clothes separately while he has MRSA. Immediately dispose of all medical supplies, such as bandages, wipes, gloves, etc. If home health care is provided, you may receive a container for proper disposal. If not, buy some disposable containers with lids for such items. You must wear gloves if you are charged with any skin care, etc whereas you have to change bandages, apply topical meds, and I had to wear gloves to check twice daily for any changes in her skin and call both specialists with my observations. But DO NOT act as though you are afraid to be around your husband. He needs your support right now!! He may feel depressed if he is isolated, and needs you to be there for him. It is important that other family/friends understand the need for the isolation and sterile environment. But by all means get tested ASAP!! Good luck!!

Answer 2

His doctor should have given complete direction as to the health risks and what the steps to be taken for those in contact with your husband. I would suggest that you visit www.cdc.com

This will link you to the center for disease control and prevention links and information on MRSA.
It's really important that you and the family members, anyone in contact with your husband and any doctors that are treating/have treated him know about his diagnosis now...and even after he is cured. The link I gave you will also help with information of preventative measures for you to take and other information on the disease.
All my best to you and hubby and the family!

Answer 3

It's nothing for you to worry about -- unless you have an open sore somewhere on your body. Even a small scratch can become infected, if you are not careful. Just watch for signs of infection and see your Doctor ASAP if you see any.

Answer 4

What is MRSA?
Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium often found in 20-30% of the noses of normal healthy people and is also commonly found on people's skin. Most strains of this bacterium are sensitive to many antibiotics and infections can be effectively treated. Staphylococcus aureus which are resistant to an antibiotic called methicillin are referred to as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. Many commonly prescribed antibiotics are not effective against these bacteria. Some MRSA strains occur in epidemics, indicated by an 'E' before MRSA eg EMRSA-16, EMRSA-3 and may be distinguished from others by a number of special laboratory techniques.

Is MRSA dangerous?
MRSA rarely, if ever, presents a danger to the general public. It is no more dangerous or virulent than methicillin-sensitive S. aureus but it is more difficult to treat. This bacterium is usually confined to hospitals and in particular to vulnerable or debilitated patients. These include patients in intensive care units, burns units, surgical and orthopaedic wards. Some nursing homes have experienced problems with this bacterium. MRSA does not pose a risk to the health of hospital staff , unless they are suffering from a debilitating disease, or family members of an affected patient or their close social or work contacts. Therefore the friends or family of such a patient need not take any special precautions and should not be discouraged from normal social contact.

What does MRSA cause?
Most patients from whom MRSA is isolated are colonised with this organism rather than infected. Colonisation means the presence of the organism on the skin, or in the nose, or in the back of the throat but without any illness. However, if the patient also has a fever and inflammation associated with the presence of MRSA then they are considered to be infected. A proportion of patients become infected particularly if they have been put at greater risk, such as following an operation, or have a malignancy, or the presence of a bladder catheter, intravenous infusion or surgical drain. These patients may then develop illnesses similar to those caused by methicillin-sensitive S. aureus such as wound and skin infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia and bacteraemia or 'blood poisoning'.

How is MRSA treated?
Colonisation with MRSA in the absence of illness or clinical evidence of infection may be treated with surface applied agents. This includes using special antibiotics, eg mupirocin, applied inside the nose, as well as washing, bathing and hair washing with disinfectants eg chlorhexidine. These measures will help reduce the possibility of the patient becoming infected or spreading the bacterium to another patient. Where infection is present, antibiotics commonly used to treat methicillin-sensitive S. aureus such as flucloxacillin, erythromycin and the cephalosporins, are not effective and the patient will require treatment with other antibiotics such as vancomycin or teicoplanin. These last two antibiotics are expensive, may be toxic and have to be given by intravenous infusion. Patients infected with MRSA must therefore be treated in hospital. This is only one of the reasons why considerable effort is made to try and prevent the spread of this organism.

How is spread of MRSA prevented?
Scrupulous handwashing by hospital staff before and after contact with patients and before any procedure, is the single most important infection control measure. It is most likely to prevent spread of MRSA from one patient to another, or from patient to member of staff who may subsequently pass the bacterium on to other patients. Patients with MRSA should be physically isolated in a single room with the door remaining closed and the room regularly damp dusted, or they should be nursed in a special ward away from other non-infected patients. The patient's notes should be clearly labelled 'MRSA' so that this type of accommodation is provided if and when they are admitted to hospital at any time in the future. It is important that the clinician looking after the patient in hospital notifies the general practitioner. If this has not already been done, then the patient or their family should mention to their general practitioner that they are carrying MRSA. This information should also be passed to any hospital to which the patient may be admitted in the future to ensure physical separation or isolation immediately on admission and hence reduce the possibility of spread to others. The use of antibiotics such as those applied inside the nose and bathing procedures previously described, will also help to reduce the risk of spread. Finally, when such a patient is discharged from hospital, their room should be comprehensively cleaned and all linen and other clinical waste disposed of in special bags


According to that, which i found on a website, its not dangerous and shouldn't be anything to worry about. However, if you are worried, go to your doctor and ask them.

Answer 5

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