<p>My Daughter is having a probelm with MSRA. She had one infection two months ago and now has another. I drove to her campus and took her to Dr. they put her on anitibiotics and said she could return to school next week. They gave us advise to protect us and her but little on protecting her classmates note to mention her dorm mates. I went and Lysoled down everything in the dorm. I called the school and have not received a return call. I am so concerned about re infection…</p>
<p>The only thing I can tell you is that when a couple of football players on my S’s team got it, everything, and I mean every thing got cleaned, preferably with bleach. All equipment was sent home, lockers cleaned and we were to wipe/clean all the equipment down with bleach. The school hired a crew, experienced with mrsa to come and clean the locker room. They also wiped every hard surface down with bleach. Not sure what they did with absorbant surfaces. </p>
<p>I suggest you look online. Good luck to your D.</p>
<p>I’m so sorry to hear this. I applaud you for thinking of your D’s dorm mates while you must be worried about her.</p>
<p>I, too, have heard that a bleach solution–I think it is either 1 to 3 or 1 to 4, but you can google it–is the preferred way of eradicating MRSA.</p>
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<p>When my school had this issue a couple years ago, the absorbant surfaces in the locker room went in the dumpster…</p>
<p>D had mrsa two years ago. I was surprised how low-key her pediatrician was about it. She had a single sore on her lower abdomen. They told her to keep it covered and gave her an antibiotic, but I don’t remember any other special instructions. She was playing a non-contact sport and they told her not to worry, she wouldn’t infect anyone else. I specifically asked twice if we needed to tell the school about her infection and the doctor said no. D took the antibiotic, kept the area clean (I think she had an antibiotic or anti-bacterial cream/wash for it) and it has not returned.</p>
<p>My mom died last month, and one of the contributing factors was MRSA. The hospital did not even tell us that the “infection” she had was MRSA … in fact, the info sheet on her room door with instructions for entering her room specifically stated “Not for MRSA.” It was only when we arrived at the hospice facility that we were informed that she was septic with the MRSA infection.</p>
<p>VERY fortunately, none of us contracted the infection (to our knowledge) during our very close contact with her.</p>
<p>Those who are interested in the whole topic of MRSA and other infection control in hospitals might be interested in Atul Gowande’s excellent book, Better.</p>
<p>It is about the ways in which the medical profession does and does not address the subject–and practice–of doing “better.” Fascinating book.</p>
<p>kelsmom - I am so sorry about your mom’s death. It can be difficult when you feel like the information forthcoming was inconsistent and haphazard. Please know that both the hospital and hospice could have been correct, though (not saying they were, but hypothetically could have been). </p>
<p>First of all, you need to know if the MRSA was initially wound specific, or in the respiratory system. That makes a difference in the precautions you might see some people take. For instance, if it’s found in a wound, or at the access point of a port or catheter, you’re not likely to be exposed to it unless you have direct contact with those sites, and are not using universal precautions. If it’s in the respiratory system, and the person is still coughing/sneezing, etc. (meaning, they’re not semi-comatose), then you need to be very careful as it is much more contagious (and absolutely be using universal precautions).</p>
<p>I’ve also seen situations where someone tested negative for MRSA (and actually this can happen with other germs, too), but it was too early to detect in the lab; then when a follow up test is done several days later, they test positive. So initially someone is told they’re negative for a germ, then after retesting, are found to be positive after enough time has passed.</p>
<p>But once MRSA enters the body, especially of someone who is already immune-compromised, it can be very serious. I’ve seen everyone from medical staff to loved ones take a potential case of MRSA very lightly (meaning they don’t use the proper precautions), and very seriously (meaning they use universal precautions upon entering the room, even if the lab results aren’t back yet, but MRSA is suspected). It’s frustrating for visitors trying to figure out what is going on.</p>
<p>If it were me (and this only me… everyone has to make this decision for themselves), I would ask to see her lab reports and find out at which point during her hospital stay did they test her (and how many times) and at which point did those tests come back positive. Also, was it initially limited to the skin, or in the nares (nostrils). Unfortunately, even if those answers clarify how it was all handled, it doesn’t negate the inconsistencies with what the staff told you. But hopefully it will help minimize your concerns about someone in your family possibly contracting it.</p>