MRSA

10-27-2005, 17:15

We now have a problem on our hands with this stuff at the Jail. I have seen some nasty stuff in my lifetime but nothing like this before. It spreads very fast and just about everyone who has it has had to be taken to ER for debridement and draining of the infected areas. Surgery has had to happene in 4 cases. I have seen some big holes in people with this. I guess it starts out as a small pimple then takes off after it has erupted. The area becomes hardened, raised, and very warm with cellitis developing in all cases. What I have been told by some is to use gloves when patting people down, wash hands constantly, and take a shower before going home. Also, leave the uniform at work.

Now my question to the Docs is: I know that MRSA is found everywhere, but why all of the sudden has it spread like wildfire? Does one have to have any pre-existing diseases and/or a weakened immune sysytem for this stuff to grow and develope? Was the above given advice on staying "sterile"

going overboard or can I do more to keep this stuff there and not take it home?

Thanks!

jasonglh · 10-27-2005, 18:38

In the hospital for a known MRSA patient we use strict contact precautions. So its pretty much gown and gloves unless they have it in their sputum then we observe droplet precautions which is a mask with eye shield.

I think it can live up to 24 hours on objects as well though.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/ARESIST/mrsahcw.htm

Do a google search of MRSA jail Precautions and you will see articles about outbreaks all over the country. Some places have reported fatalities as well.

I'm sure the others can provide much more info than I can.

18C/GS 0602 · 10-27-2005, 23:32

MRSA for all those people out there who don’t know stands for methicillin resistant staph aureus. Staph aureus is very common bacteria that typically lives on skin and can cause soft tissue infections. MRSA is a type of staph aureus that is resistant to many different antibiotics and because of that can be difficult to treat. Initially it was a bacteria that was only seen in hospitalized patients that had been exposed to many antibiotics. Unfortunately recently there have been a lot of infections in non-hospitalized people in the community. This stain looks like it is genetically different from the one seen in hospitalized patients. In terms of prevention good hand washing will help, but if you are in physical contact with people with MRSA it can be difficult not to get exposed to it. That doesn’t necessarily mean getting infected.

**The Reaper** · 10-28-2005, 07:05

Why not hose all of the cells down with STB?

TR

Air.177 · 10-28-2005, 07:45

A good friend of mine picked this up somewhere recently, he had to have about a 6 inch long by 1-1.5 inch deep chunk cut out of his abdomen because of it. Bad Juju! He was also on some kind of wicked bad meds for like 2 weeks.

Scary stuff

Surgicalcric · 10-28-2005, 07:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Why not hose all of the cells down with STB?

TR

And change all the mattresses.

There was a very large outbreak of it a few months back at SOPC. I dont remember the exact number of students med dropped from one class but it was in the high 30's. Thereafter all the linen and mattresses were changed and it helped. There are still a few cases here and there (damned gig-pits) but not as many as before.

Crip

10-28-2005, 14:05

Yes it is nasty stuff. I have watched about 5-6 debridemts including lancing just to relieve the pressure at the ER within the last 5 weeks. Antibiotic of choice around here is Septra. Now, is there any point during the treatment of an infected individual that they are considered no longer a threat to the rest of us.

**Eagle5US** · 10-28-2005, 19:56

Ugg...MURRSA BAAADD...

Eagle

**Kyobanim** · 10-28-2005, 20:03

Is this something that can be picked up in a gym?

**Eagle5US** · 10-28-2005, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyobanim

Is this something that can be picked up in a gym?

Moreso if someone brings it in.
To break it down to the most basics...
It is a Staph infection on 'roids. Staph is everywhere, on your skin, on "stuff", where you would (and would not) expect it. You wouldn't know it was MRSA until it was cultured...and it grew "the bug"

Eagle

JMI · 10-29-2005, 19:36

Damn. Do I have permission to print this thread and bring it to my gym? Not sure what good it will do but knowledge is power.

11-23-2005, 21:17

MRA has been growing more prevalent throughout America for sometime, probably fed by our use of indescriminent antibiotics-SF shotgun medicine. It's always been common were folks were kept in close quaters, like wrestling teams, etc. Not sudden, just steady....

Doc · 11-23-2005, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyFarr

MRA has been growing more prevalent throughout America for sometime, probably fed by our use of indescriminent antibiotics-SF shotgun medicine. It's always been common were folks were kept in close quaters, like wrestling teams, etc. Not sudden, just steady....

Check your PM's.

Doc

18C/GS 0602 · 11-23-2005, 22:57

Welcome COL Farr. It is an honor to have you here.

DoctorDoom · 11-28-2005, 00:20

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