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Frequently Asked Questions
On MRSA
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What is MRSA? |
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MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Staph. is a bacteria that is commonly found on people’s skin. “Methicillin-resistant” means that the bacteria has developed resistance to (is not killed by) certain antibiotics. Infections caused by these organisms can be difficult to treat.
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Is MRSA bad? |
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MRSA can cause many different types of infections. Often these infections involve the skin, and resemble bug bites, boils, or other common skin rashes. Occasionally, they are more serious and spread internally, causing bone, blood, or even lung infections. |
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How do I know if I have MRSA? |
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If a boil or a sore does not heal on its own or with topical antibiotics, or if it seems to be spreading, it could be a Staph. infection. Most Staph. infections are treated successfully with topical antibiotics, or a commonly prescribed oral antibiotic. However MRSA is often resistant to these common antibiotics. Your doctor may be able to tell if you have a Staph. infection, but the only way to know if the Staph. is MRSA is to obtain a culture. A laboratory can isolate the Staph. organism and test if it is sensitive to certain antibiotics. If it is resistant to methicillin, then the infection is MRSA. |
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How is MRSA treated? |
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Fortunately, MRSA that is acquired in the community (not in a hospital) is usually sensitive to at least one oral antibiotic. Obtaining a culture will help your doctor decide which antibiotic is best for a given infection. A patient who acquires an infection in a hospital setting may have a more difficult time, as organisms acquired in the hospital tend to be resistant to more antibiotics. Often, these organisms are sensitive to only one or two intravenous (IV) antibiotics. |
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How can I prevent MRSA? |
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The following steps may help prevent MRSA infections:
- Frequent handwashing!
- Keep cuts/scrapes covered and clean. Treat with a topical antibiotic.
- Avoid contact with other people’s cuts, scrapes, or sores.
- Do not share personal items (razors, deodorants, sports equipment)
- Wash sports equipment between uses.
- Use a barrier (towel) on shared sports equipment (such as the gym)
- Be certain hot tubs are properly treated (with bromine or chlorine) and avoid public hot tubs/pools where proper hygiene may be in question.
Finally, do not overuse antibiotics. MRSA can develop from normal Staph bacteria that are overexposed to antibiotics. After repeated exposures, they develop resistance. Never give someone an antibiotic prescribed for a different child, and always complete a course of antibiotics when one is prescribed. Partially treating an infection can be more dangerous than not treating at all!
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What can I do to eliminate MRSA? |
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Sometimes, MRSA can be difficult to eliminate. It can spread from one family member to another, or teammate to teammate. Some individuals may become “colonized” with the bacteria, meaning they have the bacteria, but don’t have any obvious infection. If you or a family member have been diagnosed with a Staph. infection, several steps may need to be taken:
- Your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic for the infected person to take.
- Your doctor may prescribe a special topical antibiotic (mupirocin or Bactroban) that is known to help treat MRSA. This antibiotic can be applied to the infected area directly, or it can be applied to a person’s nostrils twice a day for a week to reduce colonization from the nose (a common place for Staph to “hide out”).
- In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a special anti-septic soap (such as Phisohex) or you can make your own by mixing two capfuls of Chlorine bleach with 6 inches of bath water. Washing twice a week in these anti-septic washes will help reduce colonization with the Staph bacteria. Only use these washes if suggested by a physician during a Staph. outbreak.
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On Vomiting
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My child has
started vomiting, what can I do to help them? |
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Vomiting can be a very distressing symptom for both
child and parents alike. Illnesses such as
rotavirus present with the acute onset of vomiting and
diarrhea. The vomiting can be intense and
difficult to stop. Initially, it is best to let
nature run its course. During an acute episode of
vomiting, any amount of liquid is likely to come back up
again. The trick is to allow the stomach to rest
until it recovers enough to handle small sips of fluids.
One strategy is to wait at least one hour from the last
vomiting episode and then offer small sips of clear
liquids, one teaspoon at a time, every five to ten
minutes. The heavy syrup found in canned fruit is
excellent for this role, as fruit pectin has anti-emetic
(anti-nausea) effects. It also contains a
concentrated source of sugar which the body needs.
If no vomiting occurs after an hour of giving teaspoons
of fluid, the child is probably ready for larger sips of
clear fluids. Clear fluids, (such as water, diluted
fruit juice, Gatorade/Pedialyte, or even flat ginger ale
or jell-o!) are more readily absorbed and will offer
better protection against dehydration. Only after
several hours of no vomiting should a child be offered
more substantial food. Avoid foods that are very
acidic or spicy (such as tomato sauce), or foods with a
high fat content (milk or creamy foods). Do not be
concerned if your child does not eat for a day or two...
but it is very important that your child get fluids, to
prevent dehydration!
Also, vomiting can be a symptom
of other illnesses. If vomiting accompanies a sore
throat, it may be a sign of Strep throat. If
vomiting accompanies a cough and fever, it may be a sign
of pneumonia. And lastly, if vomiting occurs with
fever and painful urination, it may be a sign of a
kidney infection. The vomiting that accompanies
most stomach viruses usually lasts less than 24 hours.
If vomiting lasts longer than a day, or is associated
with any of the aforementioned symptoms, please contact
our office.
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How do I know if my child is dehydrated? |
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Dehydration occurs when not enough fluid is ingested to
meet the output and the demands of the body.
Dehydration can occur when a child doesn't drink or
vomits; or if there are increased fluid losses such as
occurs with diarrhea. Fever accompanying an
illness also increases fluid loss through the skin.
The younger the child, the easier it is for that child
to become dehydrated, due to the higher fluid
requirements relative to their size.
Early symptoms of dehydration include a dry mouth,
lack of tear production, and reduced urine output.
If these symptoms occur, parents should attempt to give
the child clear fluids (water, electrolyte solutions
such as Pedialyte, or even a tasty treat like popsicles
or Italian ice). Later symptoms include a sweet
odor to the breath, a doughy consistency to the
skin, and extreme lethargy. If these symptoms
occur, contact our office immediately! |
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