MRSA - What do you.know?

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Kicks
Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I'm not dealing with MRSA but have been exposed (confirmed - he's in isolation in hospital) to the lung/pneumonia form as has Hubby.  I have some questions I can't find answers to online.  How long does the bacteria live outside of the body?  What is the incubation period?  I deal with LE - can the airborne/lung form compromise my skin/LE? 

Maybe I'm being paranoid  but in all my searching, I can't find the answers I want/need.  (Hubby has issues with broncioutis (sp?) So he's also compromised.)

 Any ideas of sites/info that pertain to my questions - not just what MRSA is as already know that. 

My biggest question is do I need  to worry about the air borne  and for how long.

Any thoughts/help appreciated!

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited May 2014

    tomorrow morning, you should be on the phone to your docs and ask them the questions.  Me, I would be contacting my MO and also my PCD as she has been great for me on vacinations in the past

    My MO is at a large hospital and I would be confident that they would know where to refer me or what I need to do

    deep breath now

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  • LindaLou53
    LindaLou53 Member Posts: 929
    edited May 2014

    Kicks I have read that MRSA bacteria can survive for months on hard surfaces and fabrics if not properly cleaned or decontaminated.  This is the reason for isolation rooms, gowns, gloves and masks in the hospital setting.  MRSA on intact skin does not create infection, but infection occurs when there is a wound or break in the skin allowing the bacteria to enter.  

    Here is a link to great information from the CDC on MRSA:

    http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/

    MRSA in the community setting:

    http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/community/index.html

    MRSA in healthcare settings:

    http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/healthcare/index.html

    My mother had recurring MRSA infections in her prosthetic knee joint.  She was initially on isolation before and immediately after surgery, but later while in rehab, isolation was no longer required.  I spent many days at her bedside over the weeks from hospital to rehab to nursing home.  I also have LE and tried to practice good hand washing and avoidance of coming in contact with bodily fluids.  Washing clothing in very warm or hot water is also suggested.  

    The fact is 33% of the population carry staph bacteria in their nose without illness and 1 in 100 carry MRSA. it is certainly wise to be informed, avoid exposure when you can and practice good precautions, but I would not be too overly concerned if you have no symptoms. It is certainly a good idea, however, to inform your PMD and see if he recommends any special precautions based on your exposure type.

    Let us know if you learn any additional information!

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited May 2014

    In this person, the MRSA is not the skin version but he is in isolation for it in his lungs is what got him finally hospitalized.  As far as I know now - he's not dealing with skin MRSA though he has in the past as he had it on skin that also went to lungs more than a year ago.  No - he has not followed any appropriate protocohol that I know of in the year I've known him/ been around him but had had it some time before. 

    IF he had been DXd again with skin MRSA I wouldn't be too concerned as it does take an open area of skin to come in contact with somewhere he had left the bacteria BUT when it is lung borne, it is in the air he has 'hacked up' and thus on 'everything' in the area and everyone around, is potentially infected.

    I'm not a 'germ-a-phobe' at all but do want to know all I can to be as proactive as possible.  I do know that there are many 'nasty things' that we all have in our bodies at all times (E-coli is one that comes to mind) and do us no harm when they remain in the 'right' places and in small amounts.

    I'm more concerned about Hubby as he has been around the guy a lot more than I have been recently, sometimes in relatively small enclosed areas.  He also has bronchitis (sp?) issues.  As far as I know now, neither of us have any signs/symptoms.  I am supposed to be getting a call tomorrow morning from a 'MRSA Specialist' with VA.  The RN I talked to this morning could not find some of the answers to some of my questions so it's being forwarded to someone who can.  Also - tomorrow afternoon I have a Derm appt at Ft. Meade so IF I don't have answers by then, I'll be trying to see my PA first for questions if she's in and then if she's not, I'll be 'raising Hades' til I do get the answers.  

    It is true that the vast probability is that neither Hubby nor I will have any issues - BUT - -- - - .  I will not exist in fear of the unknown but do intend to be as proactive as possible.

    (I know that there is a lot of negative press on TV now about the care in/with some VA facilities.  I can only say that for ME (and Hubby) we have had fantastic care, both with the care and time frame.  I saw my PA a week after I found the enlarged node - she was on vacation and I didn't want to see anyone else.  I saw her at 11, I had a new mammo appt with the local Radiology Clinic, had the mammo followed by US and biopsy and left there at 3.  The next morning - Fri - I had the path report as expected IBC.  I had appt with BS Mon, Rads on Wed and Chemo on Thurs.  17 Days after DX I was in TX at the local Cancer Care Center.

    So yes - there are some horrendous things that have happened at VA Centers and there does need to be changes and those responsible dealt with appropriately  BUT not all Centers are bad and not all Vets get bad care.  My facility is a smaller one and I've gotten great care since 1995.) 

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  • melmcbee
    melmcbee Member Posts: 1,119
    edited May 2014


    I hope that if a patient has a mrsa infection on his skin or in his lungs that the facility would have him in isolation. Its important to wear a mask. glove and gown when visiting and take all of it off and throw in the trash in his room. Foam or wash your hands then exit. That precaution protects you and others that you would come in contact with. I also would not get close to them coughing. Hope he feels better because it sounds awful for him. Healing hugs.

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  • Amoc1973
    Amoc1973 Member Posts: 158
    edited May 2014

    Hi. I'm no expert but have been in medical field a loooooong time. MRSA is everywhere. At one time when I worked in ICU a lot of us were pos for colonizing mrsa in our noses. And none of us ever had an actual mrsa infection. We were exposed a lot in ICU. I think it's pretty rare for it to cause resp issues....except w immunocompromised people. Also MRSA is MRSA. I don't think where the infection is changes that it's a resistant staph bacteria. As already posted its all about hygiene, etc. Wash your hands a lot. And be aware of any cuts,etc (as I'm sure you are). My little girl just had MRSA abscesses all over her. I had to scrub them & put antibiotics on them daily for weeks. I'm pretty sure I'm covered in MRSA right now :) if you're really worried maybe your doc would give you a prophylactic course of antibiotics. also speak to his doc at the hospital & ask. Or if u can't be there...call & ask the nurse to ask the doc when he rounds & sees your hubs. They have to see them every 24hr if in hospital. Hope he's better soon. 

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  • Amoc1973
    Amoc1973 Member Posts: 158
    edited May 2014

    Oops. Sorry. I misread some things. But basically you guys should be fine. But always good to ask a doc. 

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited May 2014

    I did have a LONG talk yesterday with MRSA Specialist and learned a lot more about it than I had found on line.  I do feel 'better' with the knowledge. Thought I'd try to pass on some of what I thought was very iinteresting if anyone is interested.

    First - MRSA is quite unique in many ways.  There are more than 'form' of it - from usually not too aggressive and still not resistant to several antibiotics - to very aggressive and resistant to all antibiotics.  The form we have here in this area is, Thankfully,  one that is still not resistant to all antibiotics.  It can live on surfaces from 3 - 6 months depending on conditions.  It is not hard to disinfect - wiping with 409/Fantastic/etc works, also spray/aerosol Lysol works and you don't have to wipe everything down, just spray the area.   You can have it and if cared for and your immune system is strong might never know you had had it as it will be resolved before it's critical.  It can go dormant making you a carrier and come back later.   Even if you have been a carrier, it can disappear from your body - not showing up on testing anymore.  The air borne should not be a problem as long as you are at least 3 ft from the person when they 'hack up' but should spray/disinfect any surface within those 3 ft of the 'hacking.  Wash clothing that might have come in contact in HOT water.  

    Basically - just practice good hygiene,  be alert/vigilant/proactive to what is happening (cut not healing,etc.) But do not expect the worst.  I have to say that I am NOT a health care worked but this is the info I was given by a Specialist.  I know I feel better with the knowledge and hope it gives others a bit of understanding also.  If I didn't make sense in my words, ask and I'll try to explain better.

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