MRSA prevention?

How can MRSA be prevented?

Although MRSA can be difficult to fully contain, due to the fact that some people carry the bacteria without suffering any symptoms, there are a number of steps which can be taken in order to prevent the spread of MRSA infections. The vast majority of these steps revolve around simply practicing good hygiene.

The main action individuals can take to limit their chances of becoming infected is through effective hand washing, which reduces the overall spread of bacteria. Particular attention should be paid to the periods before and after meals, as well as after using the toilet.

Open wounds can enable the MRSA bacteria to invade beneath the skin, causing infection. As a result, cuts, grazes and other open wounds should be kept clean and covered with a plaster or bandage until fully healed.

Due to the fact that most people become infected in hospitals or other care settings, staff in such facilities also have a large role to play in preventing the spread of bacteria.

Hospitals and their staff can take a number of measures to reduce instances of MRSA, including: regular cleaning of bedding and hospital wards, keeping all wounds clean and covered, treating MRSA patients in isolated wards and wearing clean gloves when coming into physical contact with them.

MRSA Treatments

Should you or a loved one be diagnosed with an MRSA infection, the treatment you are prescribed will depend on a number of factors. These factors include:

• What MRSA infection you have
• The severity of symptoms
• Where the infection lies
• What antibiotics the particular strain of MRSA you are diagnosed with is sensitive to

If you are suffering only with a minor case of MRSA, you will likely only require very little treatment. This may consist of the draining away of any pus from the site of the infection, which should fully treat the condition. Alternatively, an antibacterial wash or powder may be prescribed to remove MRSA from the body, cream to remove the infection from the nose or an antibacterial shampoo to eliminate infection from the scalp. You will not be admitted to hospital in any of the above cases.

In more serious cases of MRSA, however, sufferers may be prescribed a more rigorous course of antibiotic injections. Depending on the severity and site of the infection, the course of treatment could last up to six weeks and a combination of antibiotics will be used.