Zinc for MRSA

You can use zinc to help build your immune system to prevent MRSA infections, but it is not a recommended way to fight a current infection. MRSA is a bacteria that is resistant to all but the most powerful antibiotics known to medicine, and it takes more than a few zinc lozenges to defeat it. If you suspect that your skin rash, boil or wound is a MRSA infection, see your doctor immediately so that he can start you on the proper course of antibiotics.

MRSA Explained

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This means it is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain types of antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus lives on the skin and in the nose of healthy people, but only the type that is resistant to antibiotics is called MRSA. Symptoms of a MRSA infection include an infected site on the skin, pus, drainage, fever, skin abscess, warmth around the infected area, chills, cough, a generally ill feeling, muscle aches and a rash, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your doctor will have to do a blood, skin or wound culture to test for the MRSA bacteria to determine if it is the cause.

Alternative Medicine

Although alternative medicine treatments for MRSA do not exist, you can take steps to improve your immune system to help decrease your chances of contracting this bacteria. Zinc is an important component in immune system function, according to the Huntington College of Health Sciences, and a supplement can increase your immunity to bacteria. Vitamins A and C are also recommended to support your immune system. You can easily get these nutrients in a daily multivitamin. You might also want to consider supplementing with herbs such as pomegranate, echinacea and goldenseal. However, use the echinacea and goldenseal combination for a maximum of two months as the latter herb can deplete your body of B-vitamins.

Treatment

The treatment for MRSA depends on how severe the infection is. If the infection is local, merely draining the wound and taking an antibiotic, such as clindamycin, by mouth might treat the condition. However, if the infection is systemic, you might need to stay in the hospital and receive the antibiotic vancomycin through an intravenous line. At this point, you might need further fluids and electrolytes to stabilize your condition and assist your recovery. If MRSA is left untreated, you can develop sepsis, or blood poisoning, which is often fatal if not promptly treated.

Prevention

MRSA is a highly preventable disease. Strict hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent a MRSA infection. Scrub hands thoroughly and for at least 15 seconds to kill bacteria, according to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Hand sanitizer works, too. Don't share personal items such as towels, razors, clothing or anything else you personally use. Cover all wounds and thoroughly clean anything that might have become infected with discharge from a wound. If you have a wound, sore or rash that looks suspicious, have a doctor check it for MRSA.