Methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is an organism that lives on the skin and sometimes in the nasal passages of healthy people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MRSA enters the body through an opening in the skin, causing a localized infection that, if left untreated, can spread to the lungs, blood and other parts of the body. Most MRSA infections are acquired in hospitals and nursing homes, but at least 15 percent are acquired in the community. Since MRSA does not respond to many antibiotics, prevention and early detection are the keys to limiting its spread.
Step 1
Wash your hands thoroughly for at least 15 seconds with soap and water and dry with a disposable towel. Hand washing is the best way to prevent contracting or spreading a MRSA infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. Cleaning hands with a hand sanitizing product containing at least 62 percent alcohol is also acceptable when soap and water are not available. Teach children and other household members to follow the same procedures.
Step 2
Clean and cover cuts and scrapes with bandages until they heal to avoid picking up MRSA from someone else's skin or belongings. If you have a draining wound, cover it to prevent spreading the infection further, and seek advice from your health care provider. Wash your hands thoroughly if you must touch someone else's wound or bandage.
Step 3
Examine yourself and others in the household for cuts and scrapes that may be infected. A MRSA skin infection is hot, red and warm, and often looks like a pimple, boil or spider bite with a yellow or white center or drainage. Cellulitis, an infection of the deepest layers of the skin, does not produce drainage. Instead, the area will look glossy and tight. Someone with a more serious MRSA infection may have chills, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, rash or shortness of breath. If you suspect a MRSA infection, contact a health care provider for examination and treatment.
Step 4
Keep personal items to yourself, and don't borrow towels, clothing, towels or athletic equipment from others. MRSA can be spread by contact with contaminated skin or personal items, so teach children to avoid sharing items at school or after athletic activities. Shower, and wash clothing after working out. Sanitize linens by washing and drying them at hot temperatures.
Step 5
Take antibiotics according to your health care provider's instructions. Finish the entire course of medication, even if you're feeling better. Otherwise, you may develop a resistance to the drug. Make sure that children and other household members finish their antibiotics, as well. If an infection doesn't respond to prescribed medication, contact your health care provider for advice.
Things You'll Need
- Soap
- Hot water
- Hand sanitizer
- Bandages
