MRSA and open wounds?

[tiredandmoody]

I posted last week about an infected abscess on my breast which burst and caused cellulitis, I went to A&E after being told by the doctor if it got worse to do so, and I was admitted over night for IV antibiotics & IV paracetamol, and sent home with antibiotics the next day and told I’ll see the breast surgeon in the next few weeks to check it as it looked like it had drained already.

I still have a lump on my boob but it doesn’t hurt and the cellulitis has gone down.

However on the day I saw the doctor she did a swab for MRSA as I had randomly had it back in 2020 with no symptoms during pregnancy which they just gave me a body wash for.

My doctor called at 7:30pm this evening and said the swab had come back positive for MRSA and has asked me to go in to see her in the morning. She said if I start to feel poorly or get a fever I have to go to A&E.

My worry is that the lump is still there and feels firm & I also have an open wound on my arm - I’m diabetic.

I did ask questions but I think she was keen to get off the phone due to the time.

I feel ok in myself but I have a four year old and she said it is contagious so I’m freaking out a little.

But does anyone know how this will be treated and whether I am a danger to my son at the moment with still having an open wound?

I know I’m seeing the doctor tomorrow but she didn’t say what would happen at the appointment and I am feeling anxious about it.

How dangerous is MRSA when you have wounds? As I said last time I was positive to it it seemed so random as I had no symptoms.

Bump

From CDC:
Is it safe to work with someone who has a
staph or MRSA infection?

It is safe to work with them as long as their wound is kept clean, dry, and covered.

they will probably treat you with (iv) antibiotics

@TheShiningCarpet it’s different to working with someone though because I’m actively in contact with my little boy cuddles/bath time etc

and do you mean the doctors will?

The principle is the same - keep your open wound clean dry and covered.

yes - your mrsa needs to be treated with antibiotics

You aren’t a danger to your son. Your doctor really should have explained that you can behave normally around him but try to keep the wound covered, and don’t share towels etc.

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a bacteria that lives on the skin normally. When SA is referred to as MRSA it just means there are fewer antibiotics that can treat it than common garden SA. Here’s a page for you to read more about it https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/frequently-asked-questions-about-methicillin-resistant-staphylococcus-aureus-mrsa/

You’ll have been called in by the doctor because the antibiotics you’ve been treated with are unlikely to cover MRSA so they’ll probably want to examine you and give you a different antibiotic. You might be able to have oral antibiotics but it might have to be IV. That very much depends on what antibiotics will work for it. Your doctor will have this information.

Excellent response

SA is a normal skin bacteria that lives on your skin causing no problem. Some people have a slight variant called MRSA and it lives happily on your skin causing no problem. It only becomes a problem when it gets into wounds and it causes the wound to heal more slowly.

You will just need different antibiotics that will eradicate the MRSA so your wounds can heal. Then it will probably come back again and carry on causing no problems.

Try not to worry too much about it. It is no more serious than many other bacterial infections you could get. I think some people are scared of it because when it was first discovered years ago it was described as a ‘super bug’ and there was a lot of negative press about it.

I am a nurse and have seen a lot of MRSA, it is so common really and can be dealt with.

Thanks everyone, I’ve seen the GP and he’s sent me to A&E for IV antibiotics and bloods as my heart rate is 120 and I’m sweating bad - tho my temp was only 36.6 and I’m quite literally drenched?!

Low temp can indicate sepsis so they want to get the infection under control asap

feel better!

@tiredandmoody Hi - I hope that you are feeling better?