ocharloc
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Okay, since there are no posts in this forum I thought I would share what I learned today from a friend who is an infection control nurse in a hospital. She says staph has a changing face. It is very different from a few years ago when it was mainly in the hospital setting. Now they deal with it in the hospital, and new cases from the community coming into the hospital. They do isolate people who come in with positive cultures. Many hospital still don't do this. As far as what I am dealing with, she says that I need to take the antibiotic to get rid of the infection. Once the infection is gone I(with my doctors) need to do a decolonization protocol which involves my family once their infections(if they have it) are cleared. The decolonization is simultaneous administration of septra and rifampin for all members of the cluster (our family). I'm not sure what period of time this is for, but will relay more information as I get clarification. We are to use hibiclens for bathing and washing hands. Use bactroban for nasal passages and any postule breakouts or cuts. Hand hygiene is most important. Wash often, use alcohol based hand sterilizers. Sterilize surfaces, with particular focus on door knobs, light switches, kitchen surfaces, etc. The bacteria live longer of hard surfaces than on fabrics. Keep your hands away from nose and face. Shower immediately after sports activities, working out etc. with hibiclens. Don't share towels, bath items or bath soap. I always thought that bar soap would be sterile but evidently not. Wash laundry in Hot water, change sheets often. High heat in the dryer kills the germ. Vaccum dead skin cells from furniture, fabrics, and bedding (the germs are on our skin, even dead cells). She also recommended a publication that can be downloaded from the Georgia State Health Department. www.health.state.ga.us It is called "Living with MRSA" She says we need to contact our state health departments and ask them to do public awareness campaigns to inform people of the alarming presence of this bacteria. We might also contact our state and national representatives to create awareness of the problem that needs their attention to create more awareness. What I am reading says that this could cause more deaths than aids. We need to encourage people we know that might have mrsa to request the nasal cultures from their doctors, even when their blood work is normal. Hope this helps some of you. I know it helped me, I feel like there is something I can do now to get rid of it. I look forward to being part of your forum thanks for being there!! ocharloc |
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