MRSA Questions

KJ,

Heather K recently posted a question about cleaning her house after MRSA, you might want to shoot her some questions. She posted May 23rd. Here's the link to her question.

http://www.mamasource.com/request/recent/98037/1211912865/14

Hope this helps,
Melissa

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mrsa/DS00735

Chances are that as long as your kids don't have weakened immune systems or open sores, they'll be fine. Best to ask the doctor though. And for sure, I would not let baby near it!

My youngest son and I had MRSA - and it's pretty darn miserable BUT we were able to keep my husband and other two boys from contracting the infection. Our pediatrician gave us a prescription to swab into the nostrils of the two boys who did NOT have MRSA. I sterilized all toys and hard surfaces. I made sure to keep our wounds covered and carefully cleaned. I went a little nuts with hand sanitizer and Lysol spray.

The biggest thing involves open wounds. My son and I both contracted MRSA through existing wounds. Your nephew is being treated very aggressively - and by the time you go into labor will almost certainly not be contagious. If your children don't have any open wounds AND your sister has cleaned and disinfected her home careful, there shouldn't be much of a risk . . . but I would err on the side of caution and request the prescription for the nasal swab medicine.

It's my understanding that my son and I will carry MRSA in our systems forever. It's definitely NOT the worst thing in the world. Early and aggressive recognition and treatment is the key because MRSA is a staph infection that is resistant to the "normal" antibiotics. I recognized the problem immediately and my eighteen month old and I were treated successfully with oral antibiotics. We didn't need shots or IV treatment. But this HAS changed how I take care of even the tiniest boo boos and it has DEFINITELY caused me to increase the disinfecting I do around the house because I don't want my other boys getting this!

I think you have every right to do what you feel comfortable with. If anything blame it on the doctor, I did that! Plus MRSA is nothing to mess around with. Good luck! How do you do it with FOUR??? we are thinking of three and I am overwhelmed.

My son had MRSA which none of us in our family of 5 got. Even though, the first 3 days he didn't know he had it, still none of us came down with it. When we found out we took precautions with germicides and separating bathrooms and laundry, however, it's not spread that easily. My son got it because apparently his friend had it on his hands, then got it in the bathroom from an open wound he had on his body.

I don't know if this info will help or not. Usually the bacteria migrates to through an open wound. From what I read in the handout, washing hands eliminates the possibility of transmitting the disease.

You should call Infectious Diseases at the University of Washington Hospital Medical Center. They will have all of the answers for you. But make sure you talk to someone in Infectious Diseases. They are the experts in this area.

MRSA is everywhere and vigilence is a must. Wash your hands, be aware of any skin breaks or pustules. This is just common sense, everyday behavior for all of us these days. It's not just your nephew. Talk with your ob-gyn and get their opinion and precautions. MRSA is an infection that is extremely resistant to many antibiotics. I wish your nephew well.

Hello - My 6-year-old was just in the hospital for an infection and they thought he may have MRSA. They told me that my bother and niece (my sister-in-law was days from delivering her second child) could NOT be around my son or anyone in my family who had been exposed to him - they could pass it on to the new baby who would have a compromised immune system. So, in your situation, I would say that you should not have your children with your brother-in-law because they could bring the MRSA back to you and the baby. I wish your nephew the best. And good luck with the birth of your little one.

Ask them nicely not to bring him. He should not be in the hospital period. MRSA kills people, especially people in hospitals. For your child's safety and for the safety of the people in the hospital, keep him home.

I think you should discuss all your concerns with the doctor and your family. I don't know much about MRSA, but I do know that its HIGHLY contagious. My father-in-law had it after an operation and I was concerned about my 6 month old.