My sister in law contracted Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus and was treated with antibiotics. Is she still contagious? I am not trying to be a germophobe, but I have a 9 month old in the house and I've read all sorts of scary things about babies contracting Staph and it killing them within days. She was treated several months ago and the infection "went away" but I am still curious if she is a carrier.
2007-12-13 05:38:34 · 10 answers · asked by Iris 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
There is no such thing as a carrier for a bacterial infection. She is cured and not a danger to your child.
2007-12-13 05:43:36 · answer #1 · answered by Malina 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
...yes, it is possible to be a carrier of this bacteria(not virus), but if sis-in-law was adequately treated with antibiotics she should not be contagious...there are actually two strains of MRSA, one tagged HA(hospital acquired), the other CA(community acquired), the latter being more difficult to treat and a more virulent organism. Healthcare workers may carry the bacteria in nasal passages, in a non-pathogenic manner. Good handwashing and hygiene practices remain best prevention, along with attention and care for open sores, boils or other breaks in the skin integrity A call to your pediatrician's office or a visit to the NIH(National Institute for Health) website may curb your fear and adequately answer your questions. An ounce of caution certainly would not hurt as the immune system of the 9 month old is far from fully developed, making your question and concern an absolutely valid issue!!!!
2007-12-13 15:06:00 · answer #2 · answered by joel o 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can carry staph aureus in your nose without it causing any problems or being contagious. Many health care workers do because they are around it so much. You might want to ask the doctor that treated her with the antibiotics if there are any precautions you should take since she's been treated. Or maybe speak with the baby's pediatrician; they should be able to tell you for sure.
2007-12-13 13:43:47 · answer #3 · answered by arthompson0705 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If she successfully completed her antibiotic therapy, the S. aureus should be gone. The thing to do is find out where she picked up the infection in the first place.
Originally, MRSA was a nosocomial infection, which means it was limited to hospitals. However, recently it has made its way into the general public; popping up in gyms, and schools.
If you know where your sister-in-law got the infection, you can avoid it.
2007-12-13 13:48:24 · answer #4 · answered by Doc B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can be a carrier but most people who carry this bug live in long-term care facilities or homes for diabled people where you have lots of people with this germ. Healthy adults who are treated usually are considered "cured" after their course of antibiotics. If she wants to know for sure, she could have her doctor do the standard MRSA cultures to see if she is organism-free.
2007-12-13 15:21:07 · answer #5 · answered by J B 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Better Paranoid & Safe, than sorry!!!
My advice:
Don't leave this decision to a bunch of strangers.
Log off the computer and call your doctor or the baby's doctor to ask for advice, and follow it.
Once again: Better Paranoid & Safe, than sorry!!!
Hope this helps!!!
PS: I've heard from a registered nurse that the virus can survive undetected, for up to 3months (90 days) on an undisturbed surface!
2007-12-13 13:46:55 · answer #6 · answered by EF 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You can find information on the website i provided in the source section.
2007-12-13 13:44:23 · answer #7 · answered by xWishUponaStar83 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really don't think there is such a thing as a carrier for MRS. You either have it or you don't. I'm sure she is perfectly safe to be around.
2007-12-13 13:41:57 · answer #8 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If she was treated, she is not contagious. Yes, there are carriers.
2007-12-13 13:42:39 · answer #9 · answered by Googler 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't let my baby near ANYONE with MRSA. It's a killer.
And babies' little systems can't fight it off as well as ours can.
take care!
2007-12-13 14:02:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋