Doing MRSA Prevention the Right Way

As the cases of MRSA grow, especially ones that are acquired in the community, you’ll want to know how to prevent it. You can start by simply washing your hands because that will reduce the risks of getting this infection and help prevent the spread to others. Another way you can aid in the prevention is to have a strong immune system when possible. Here are a few recommendations, taking vitamins, avoiding or limiting alcohol consumption, and don’t smoke. Adopting these healthy-living styles will improve the prevention of this staph infection and other health issues.

At your home, you might develop immunity to the germs and bacteria that your constantly exposed to. When a person, who enters your home, has an injury that causes a break in their skin, it is recommended that they wash and clean it properly. The cleaning of the injury will help prevent bacteria from entering or leaving their body and possibly spread to surfaces. Seeing that a number of people have the MRSA bacteria on their skin, washing the injury can prevent future complications

Remember using antibacterial first aide and cleaning products can have negative results because these products are not strong enough to kill the more resistant bacteria, so the stronger, resistant bacteria will reproduce and possibly adapt by mutating into a strain of MRSA. When caring for someone in your home that has it, strictly follow infection control procedures.

Sharing Equipment

When using shared equipment in one of the following areas:

  • Hospitals
  • Nursing homes
  • Day care centers
  • Military barracks
  • Prisons
  • Sports facilities

Before using a piece of shared equipment, you should be sure that the surface has been cleaned properly. Using a barrier like clothing or a towel between your skin and the equipment is ideal, this will prevent any possible bacteria from attaching to your body. At all time cover your skin that has a rash, abrasion, puncture, cut, or wound while in any of the areas listed above. In these areas the chance of being exposed to MRSA or even other types of infection is increased. Showering after a workout and changing into clean clothes is a good idea too.

Medical Facilities

When it comes to hospital-acquired (HA-MRSA), it is important to make sure that the facility is following infection control procedures. Prevention is the best strategy to avoid any serious future complications. Making sure the medical facilities you visit are following infection control guidelines is tough but a simple questions to the staff can answer your concerns. Don’t be shy about asking your health professional, assistant, or caregiver to wash his or her hands and wear gloves before providing care. Be alert after medical procedures for possible MRSA Symptoms.

What Are Other Ways Of Prevention?

Use precautions when around livestock that receives antibiotics regularly. Also only take antibiotics when absolutely necessary and don’t overuse antibiotic cleaning products. When sanitizing hands, be careful not to allow the skin to become irritated or dry because that will increase the risks of acquiring MRSA. Employees that work in medical facilities and caregivers should always follow infection control procedures to avoid spreading this or other infections and also to prevent becoming infected while caring for someone who has it.

When Prevention is Not Effective

When following MRSA preventive guidelines and an infection is acquired in the hospital or community anyways, it is important to get prompt treatment. Diagnosis can only be done by a healthcare professional and it will be ideal to get the specific strain identified so the most effective antibiotic treatment can be started. Basic good hygiene will prevent a MRSA and other staph infections. There will be some occasions, like when in high-risk environments or around a person that is a carrier, other preventive procedures will be necessary.