About this topic
This is an infection caused by a common type of germ often called staph. Some types of this germ will not respond to the treatment methods used most of the time. The drugs most often used to treat infections do not work on this germ. ‚
The staph germ can be easily passed from one person to another. Staph germs can be spread when you share things that may have staph on them. You can also get the infection if you touch body fluids of a person with a staph infection. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Be sure to keep your hands clean. Wash them with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub before and after you touch an infected area.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your infection. Ask your doctor about:
- If you should keep your infected area covered.
- When you should change your bandages.
- When you may take a bath or shower.
- If you need help with wound care, remind your caregiver to wash hands before and after changing your bandage. Your caregiver may want to wear gloves during the wound care.
- Do not share personal items such as towels, washcloths, or clothing that may have touched your wound.
- Wash items that may have touched your wound. Use a dryer to dry these items completely.
- Be sure to keep the surfaces in your home clean, especially those that you may touch often.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection. To get the most benefit, it is very important you do not miss any doses. Use your drugs as you have been told, even if you are feeling better. Take each dose of the drug as ordered. The infection can come back if not treated right.
Will physical activity be limited?
Talk to your doctor about when you can go back to school, work, or daily activities. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
No changes to diet are needed. Remember to eat healthy foods with fruits and vegetables. These will help your body fight the infection. ‚
What problems could happen?
Staph germs can spread and cause more serious infection to many parts of the body like: ‚
- Skin
- Blood
- Heart
- Bones
- Lungs
- Brain
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Keep your wounds clean and covered until healed.
- Wipe down shared equipment with a disinfectant mixture, such as a household cleaner. This is very important at places like gyms to stop the spread of the germs.
- Do not touch others wounds or bandages.
- Keep open wounds covered if you are playing in a group sporting event.
- Wash and dry soiled sheets, towels, and clothing in the warmest temperature listed on the clothing label.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal, or pain.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the wound; wound opens up.
- Very loose stools
- A new rash
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my infection.
- I can tell you what I can do to help avoid passing the infection to others.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚