http://www.news-medical.net/news/20110831/Hospitalized-children-with-colonized-with-MRSA-more-likely-to-develop-full-blown-infections.aspx
Children who came to Johns Hopkins Children’s Center colonized with MRSA were at higher risk of a full blown infection. Is MRSA airborne?
Oftentimes we think if you can’t see it or touch it or feel it, it must not exist. The fact is bacteria are airborne and all around us. We have bacteria inside our bodies that help process the food we eat. Sometimes however the bacteria that are on our skin or in our nares and intestinal tract can cause problems if our immune system has been compromised by illness or a break in the skin.
"We need standardized protocols on ways to protect MRSA carriers from developing invasive infections while also minimizing its spread to others” Milstone states in this article.
If patients come to the hospital with MRSA in their nares is that indicative MRSA airborne pathogens exist?
Is MRSA airborne? Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus is a bacterium and studies have shown that it indeed can be transported in the air. Hospitals take much care in cleaning and sanitizing surfaces, washing hands and utilize air filtration / purification systems to help reduce the spread of disease and germs. Milstone further indicates that decolonizing patients by using a topical antibiotic and bathing patients with an antiseptic solution may help reduce the risk of spreading airborne pathogens such as MRSA.
Studies such as this help medical staff, researchers, and patients, become much more aware of how MRSA and other dangerous bacteria, and viruses spread and what can and is being done to protect the health of individuals.
From AlohaMedTec on twitter:
RT @CDCgov: Parents: learn how to recognize and prevent skin infections caused by MRSA. http://t.co/2D5TR2j (http://twitter.com/AlohaMedTec/statuses/108660600766341120)
The CDC has published this helpful article to educate parents on the signs of MRSA airborne to help keep their children safe from these potentially deadly bacteria. Skin infections are much more prevalent in society than in the past or possibly we have become much more aware of them because they have become harder to cure. MRSA airborne often finds its way into the cuts, scrapes, and even insect bites of children as well as adults.
The CDC indicates the signs to look for are redness, swelling, warm to the touch, fever, and pus at the wound sight.
Many people have MRSA in their nose because the air is filled with bacteria. Breathing will naturally draw these bacteria into the nares. Bacteria can settle on the skin and various surfaces as well. Most often these tiny airborne pathogens cause no harm to individuals. Unfortunately injuries and illness occur and bacteria can move in and sometimes takeover.
MRSA airborne continues to mutate and become more resistant to antibiotics, which in turn creates great concern for the medical profession as they try to cure disease, illness, and infection. Knowing the signs and symptoms of MRSA, is essential especially for parents of school age children. Educating our children on how to avoid contact with others that could possibly be infected with MRSA airborne can prevent the spread of this life threatening bacteria.