How to Fight a MRSA Infection

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. It is a form of staph infection that does not respond to treatment with the usual antibiotics used to treat staphylococcus infections. The MRSA infections enter the body through a cut or sore, or through insertion of a medical device. MRSA infections tend to break out in medical facilities, in athletic facilities, or sometimes in the military. It is diagnosed by blood, sputum, urine, and skin cultures. The infection is more common in those people with weakened immune systems. MRSA infections are often serious and debilitating. If untreated, the infection can lead to death.

How To Fight a MRSA Infection

Get an accurate diagnosis. If you have pimples, blisters, or lesions with drainage, seek medical help immediately. MRSA infections are easier to treat in the early stages. If allowed to worsen, the infection can penetrate the body organs and infect bones, joints, heart valves, lungs, and the bloodstream.

Have your doctor drain pus and fluid from skin lesions. The Center for Disease Control recommends drainage as the first line of defense against MRSA. Follow your physician’s instructions on wound care to the letter.

Finish your antibiotics. It is important that you finish all the antibiotics prescribed to you in your round of treatment. Even if you feel better after a few days, you must continue to take the antibiotics until they are all consumed. Stopping antibiotic treatment before completion can lead to the bacteria’s increased resistance to the antibiotic, and the infection could return.

If the infection worsens, or if you begin to feel worse, contact your physician. You may need to be hospitalized for intravenous fluids intake, more intensive wound care, or other treatment.

If you need to be hospitalized with your infection, make sure nurses and doctors follow anti-infection protocols. Make sure hospital personnel wash their hands before and after touching you. You may need to be in a private room to prevent spread of infection. Gloves and gowns on attending medical personnel and your visitors may be needed.

Practice good hygiene to protect others from infection. MRSA is spread through skin to skin contact. Wash hands frequently before meals and after using the toilet, or use a hand sanitizer. Keep your wounds clean and covered with a dry bandage to prevent contact transfer of the MRSA infection. Wash daily with an antiseptic soap. Do not share combs, razors, towels, clothing, or bedding with other people. Wipe down your environment with a disinfectant. The University of Leeds in Great Britain has found that the use of a negative ion ionizer helps reduce the number of MRSA infections dramatically.