My Niece Has MRSA!!! What Do I Do?

Updated on September 27, 2012
P.2. asks from Raleigh, NC
15 answers

Ok...Mommies... I have a 9 year old niece that I think was diagnosed with MRSA. Her Dad (my brother) and her Step-Mom have also had outbreaks from it. I'm supposed to be babysitting her this week for a few days and I have a soon to be 3 year old and I'm terrified. I have already told them that I would but last minute I just started freaking out... I suffer from anxiety and I have all these crazy thoughts running through my head. I mean we have met up and went out to eat and stuff like that... but being that she is coming to my house it's a little different. I feel so bad because I'm scared of my own niece but I think I have every right to be paranoid. I'm scared to ask my brother because I don't want him to know how I'm feeling so that's why I'm on here! I called my Mom and she said Google it but I'm not getting a definite answer. I read that it should be o.k. if the child has no open wounds....but my baby fell yesterday and she has a scrape on her arm. And then I also read that it lives on your skin... so if it's on her skin and it comes in contact with my daughters wound???? Maybe I'm overreacting! If anyone has had to deal with this, or knows anything about it...PLEASE HELP ME! WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

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So What Happened?

Ok...am I saying something wrong here? To the person that said I am wrong to assume? I am NOT assuming anything. I said "I think" because I didn't actually hear it come from his mouth that his daughter has MRSA.... BUT her baby sister does. They don't stay in the same househeld but she goes and stays with her sometimes. And YES I know for a fact that she, her Dad, and step Mom had a staph infection....and I thought that and MRSA were the same thing. And even if they aren't a staph infection is also not something to take lightly. I guess someone has to be in my shoes to understand where I'm coming from. I'll just do what I feel comfortable with and until I research more and ask my pediatrician I'm not doing it. Thanks everyone!

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E.D.

answers from Seattle on

I have been around MRSA enough to know to take it very seriously. We're not talking a common cold here, or even impetigo, so even those individuals who are not immunocompromised are at risk. *Personally*, if a friend or family member was having an outbreak, they'd need to stay out of my home. My husband is susceptible to staph (pretty seriously) and it is very contagious. If it were me I'd say, you need to find other childcare until she's through her entire round of antibiotics.
Good luck.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

Not to freak you out, but MRSA is everywhere.
Having worked in hospitals, and having been a patient, I know that all admitted patients are tested upon admission. People can have it and not know it, especially if their immune systems are weakened.
At the hospitals, we are trained to sanitize our hands before and after entering patient rooms EVERY SINGLE TIME, even if we've had gloves on.
I was around plenty of patients who tested positive for MRSA aside from their initial condition, and I never contracted it.

MRSA is a staph infection that is resistant to certain types of antibiotics, but that doesn't mean it isn't treatable.

I certainly understand your being nervous. First, I would make sure that your niece actually has it. You said you "think" she was diagnosed.
If your brother confirms it, I would just tell him that you are nervous about your child getting it. If your child is healthy, chances are slim if you take precautions. If you really, really just aren't comfortable, the sooner you say something the better so that they can make other babysitting arrangements.

I found the following information..........

How Can I Protect Myself?
MRSA may sound scary because it is resistant to some antibiotics. But it's actually easy to prevent MRSA from spreading by practicing simple cleanliness.

Protect yourself by taking these steps:

•Wash your hands often using plain soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time. You might also want to carry alcohol-based instant hand sanitizers or wipes in your bag for times when you can't wash your hands.
•If you have a cut or broken skin, keep it clean and covered with a bandage.
•Don't share razors, towels, uniforms, or other items that come into contact with bare skin.

Serious cases of MRSA are still rare. By taking these easy prevention steps, you can help keep it that way!
Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: August 2011

Best wishes.

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N.W.

answers from Eugene on

Don't feel bad. You are not scared of your own niece, and you are not being paranoid. You are a mom with a 3 year old and she is your priority. If the idea of babysitting your niece causes this much anxiety, it's simply not worth it. Tell your brother that your daughter has a wound and you are not willing to take a chance on it getting infected. Even if the chances are slim, your peace of mind is important so do what is best for you and your daughter.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

Is the infection active now? If not then I wouldn't be as concerned. I also suggest that you need to talk with your brother and find out for sure what is going on. If she has an active MRSA infection then I wouldn't babysit.

Or just tell him that you're too anxious about the possibility of MRSA that you aren't able to babysit. Your anxiety is a reasonable reason to not babysit. Emphasize your anxiety so that he's not so defensive about the MRSA.

After your SWH. You are making some assumptions here. You need to find out what she actually has and whether or not it's contagious. MRSA and staph are not the same thing. Staph is easily treated. MRSA is an antibiotic resistant version of staph and is not easily treated. Ask your doctor but I think that once a staph infection has been treated for so many day it is no longer contagious.

If asking about the infection will create ill will then just tell them that you aren't able to babysit. However, I suggest that since you've agreed to babysit backing out will also cause ill will and probably force you to tell them why.

I suggest that it's nearly always easier to face situations head on, asking questions, than to stew about them silently.

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R.D.

answers from New York on

I am very anxious as well, especially when it comes to communicable diseases. I saw an acquaintance in the food store today who told me she had a virus and I was so awkward towards her because I was literally holding my breath as she was talking! By the time we were done talking, I was two vegetable aisles away. Jeez.... I am bad.

Anyway, from one anxious person to the next DO NOT BABYSIT. Even with or without the facts, you will obsess while she is at your house and then you will watch your own children for weeks for any sign of an infection. The first sign of a cold, you will assume the worst. You will also assume every surface in your house has some sort of bacteria on it. Yes, MRSA is a form of Staph infection, yet one more resistant to antibiotics. They thought my son had it at one point, and boy did they take that seriously. He did not have it, but was hospitalized for several days w that thought. Something not to mess with.

Good luck and stay clear for a bit til whatever type of infection it is runs its course.

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D..

answers from Charlotte on

You need to call right now and tell them that you have to know what this infection is. Is it staph? Is it MRSA? What did the doctor say about its communicablility?

After you hear from them, call your ped and talk about it. If the ped says don't go, then don't go.

If they hold it against you, then they are at fault and not good family.

Dawn

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C.A.

answers from Washington DC on

I second Shane it is everywhere. However, I would not take the chance. be honest and apologize. the mrsa kinda changes things, you see.
best wishes

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M.S.

answers from Omaha on

You are not overreacting!!! Your gut is right on. MRSA can be deadly for some. Better safe than sorry. If they are upset with you, oh well. They can get over it while you child stays healthy.

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A.T.

answers from New York on

What do you mean you "think"...she has MRSA? Either she does or doesn't. Confirm this and then kindly bow out of the babysitting. This would be bigger than hurting someones feelings if you, your child and your household contract it. Highly contagious and not something you want to take on. See website below and know what you are stepping into.

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

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L.*.

answers from Chicago on

I would call your pediatrician and see what they say . Then you can be informed and have something to say when you say you cant babysit . Your family comes first .

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T.M.

answers from Redding on

I think you should just come right out and ask about the skin infection and see what the hell it really is. They cant get mad at you for asking a completely normal question.
It may not be MRSA at all. Your family is ASSuming it is, not good.

Call your SIL, ask her what it is, Google it and be prepared according to the facts.

"Hi SIL, I had this weird dream last night that little Daisy morphed into a large, tomato-red elf. I think it's because of her rash that she has and the fact I'm getting ready to watch her, my subconscious went a little crazy :) What exactly is it that she has? If it's noncontagious it will help me not to have the red elf dream again tonight."

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P.K.

answers from New York on

First get the info and all facts. MRSA or not. If yes, open wound or not.
Then armed with the information, call your pediatrician. I have had MRSA several times. When I am admitted to the hospital for kidney issues, I always get a private room and am in isolation which I think is pretty hysterical since I have not had it in like 12 years. I babysit my grandchildren.
So get facts, and then decide. Just not enough info for anyone here to help.
I would be interested in the outcome. Keep us posted.

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E.M.

answers from Louisville on

where is the mersa on her? my daughter had it when her sister was an infant everything was fine they said just keep it covered and we did. it was treated and went away

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J.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

First ask if she has MRSA and the location. I assume it is a skin infection. I contracted MRSA from a patient I cared for that we were not aware was carrying the infection. After you have the facts you can talk to your Md or your Np. They will likely tell you not to be around the person until the wound is healed completely if it is a skin infection. You then state " my doctor says she can't be here until her wound is healed". Of course MRSA is everywhere now BUT it would not be if people had stayed isolated at home until free from infection. I would not take a chance as it could be transferred not only from her wound site but also nasal secretions. Protect your family first. Good luck!

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