Tips to Prevent MRSA Infection
Avoiding direct contact with skin, clothing, and other items used by an MRSA patients (or even MRSA carriers) is the best way to avoid the infection. However this may not be practical at all times. What can be done under the circumstances to control spread of MRSA infection ? Read on.
a) CA-MRSA
- Take care of skin breaks by covering them with Band-Aid and also by applying antiseptic cream
- Follow good hygiene practices such washing hands with soap after personal contact/ toilet use
- Thorough hand washing requires brisk scrubbing for at least 15 seconds, then drying them using a disposable towel. Take care not to touch the tap with the scrubbed hand.
- Clean surfaces with antiseptic solutions
- Take a shower immediately after athletic practices, using soap and water.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, clothing, razors, and athletic equipment.
- Do not engage in athletic activities if u have an infected wound
- In case you have a cut or a sore, wash towels and linens using hot water and dry them well.
- Wash athletic /gym clothes each time after you wear
- Pregnant women must check their MRSA status as there is a possibility that the bacteria can be transferred to their babies.
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b) HA-MRSA
People who are infected (or identified to be colonized) with MRSA are placed in isolation within hospitals to contain the spread of the bacteria.
The best way to prevent the spread of MRSA in the hospitals are listed below-
- Hospital staff need to frequently wash their hands using alcohol-based sanitizers
- Regular and meticulous disinfection of hospital surfaces needs to be carried out
- Disposable gowns, masks and gloves need to be used when working with infected people
- Patient visitors must be equipped with suitable disposable protective garments.
- Sanitize/wash clothes of MRSA patients/ carriers,
- Maintain sterility when intravenous tubes and catheters are inserted
- If you have an infectious wound get tested for MRSA
- Take the entire course of antibiotics prescribed to you. Do not stop it mid-way
- Avoid overuse of antibiotics
