I'm 9+5 weeks pregnant and just found out my Dad has MRSA, help please

[JodieO]

Literally found out a few minutes ago. He is OK but having more swabs taken tomorrow to see if it's a local infection or all over, won't get results for a week.

Myself, dp and my 3 children have all been in contact with him over the past few days. Are they or my baby in any danger? He asked the dr but she wasn't sure. Please help, I'm really worried.

IIRC, MRSA is just a bug that's resistant to a certain type of antibiotics, most people have it up their noses but it only becomes a problem if they have an open wound or an infection. Try not to worry, if you are fit and healthy then it shouldn't be a problem.

My son is currently being treated for a strep infection. I'm generally healthy; if I get it can it harm the baby?

I'm guessing it will be a problem for my Dad then as he has a pressure sore which is where they found the infection from a swab. They are doing nose etc swabs tomorrow he said. Thanks.

I've not seen any research to say that it's dangerous in pregnancy. Your son needs to see the GP if the antibiotics he's currently taking doesn't clear his strep infection. My father had MRSA a few times, it really is just a bacteria that is resistant to a specific antibiotic, there are others that they can use. In a healthy person then there's normally no problem.

Thank you. My son has been on two lots of anti b's to treat it now as it isn't going. My dad isn't healthy He's paralysed from the neck down and has problems relating to that. I hope he's OK.

You need to pop your son back to the GP and tell him he's been in contact with a relative who's just been diagnosed with MRSA so he can be swabbed. Your father could have caught this from anywhere. My dad had COPD and managed to clear it when he caught it, with the right antibiotics it will go away. They swab to see what the bacteria is resistant to.

I really do hope he's on the mend really soon.

DS had 3 positive MRSA swabs in hospital. The nurses said it's passed by fluid...... not air??

Get someone to clarify. Hope your dad is ok and on the mend.

The best thing to do is wash your hands (and the DCs) thoroughly after seeing your dad - it is very unlikely that any of you will catch it, and it's only really harmful if you have a wound for it to get into, but in any case good hygiene is the best defence. I have had had MRSA twice through being in hospital and my excellent consultant said to be vigilant with the hygiene and otherwise try not to worry.

It can be passed by fluid, air / contact. There are also suggestions that is can pass through the mucous membrane in very young children. Get happy slappy with Alcohol gel / dettol. I know of a boy who had it in a graze in his knee. Not nice. I'll just see if I can find u a link. dp is going to go nuts if i'm not in bed soon.

I used to work for a MRSA support group the really good informative site I wanted to link for you seems to be missing. I will may a phone call in the morning and hopefully give you a link tomorow.

make not may.........

Golden straph or MRSA is a contact precaution condition.. so it passes from touch. It cannot be air bourne as it isnt a fine particle virus. (Even tho it lives up alot of noses you dont sneeze it out and breathe it in somewhere else!) If you use good hand hygiene there should be minimal risk. Obviously try not to touch oen woulds on yourself after touching your dad. There are huge numbers of people who have sytemic MRSA who have no problems. It is vey common due to teh over use of one type of antibiotic. MRSA can be treated with no methacillin antibiotics. So new lines like vanco or genta. It is a very bread and butter health care infection. Like all 'bugs' they grow faster in hospital as there are people who are imuno suppressed and good fodder! Just keep good hand hygiene. Straph infections are very very comon so please dont panic about your son! Im an ICU nuse and im a bit amazed your gp couldnt just tell you and put you out of your worry!Hope that helps. Just be warry not to read lots of scare mongering press.. the journos like a good story!

Thank you so much everyone. Really appreciate the advice and it's helped lots. I'll make sure we all wash hands thoroughly after seeing him and hope he responds well to his new anti biotics. I feel a lot better about it now, thank you. Sorry for not replying last night but I've been going to bed so early as I'm knackered!