MERSA-Who would've thought?

**BENESSE** · 08-29-2013, 07:42 AM

"The Buccaneers kicker contracted MRSA, a serious staph infection that can be resistant to drug treatments. This reportedly stemmed from an ingrown toenail and the infection that might have spread through the Buccaneers' facility. Tampa Bay guard Carl Nicks has also been sidelined with a MRSA infection. Tynes went to New York for a second opinion (he spent the last four seasons with the Giants) and he had a PICC line inserted to help the treatment."

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-sh...154243129.html

I guess we can never let our guard down to the point of being anal about it. It's not worth it, all things considered.

**Wildthang** · 08-29-2013, 08:51 AM

Yeah that is some bad stuff. My mother got that before she passed away at 95 years old, and had actually recovered form it before she just gave it up. I think about MERSA everytime I walk into a hospital to visit somebody!

**BENESSE** · 08-29-2013, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Wildthang

I think about MERSA everytime I walk into a hospital to visit somebody!

What scares me is that you can pick it up at places you wouldn't ordinarily suspect.

**Wildthang** · 08-29-2013, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by BENESSE

What scares me is that you can pick it up at places you wouldn't ordinarily suspect.

You mean like at a supermarket or just about anywhere? I really have not read up on how peoplw are infected with it, but assumed it would be easy to be infected in a hospital or nursing home!

**tjwilhelm** · 08-29-2013, 09:15 AM

MRSA is indeed a VERY nasty staph bacteria. The mortality rate from MRSA is way too high for my comfort level.

MRSA ate away the entire upper end of my upper arm bone (the head of the humerus). In essence, it ate away half of my shoulder joint. What finally saved me was a PICC line that fed a special, new antibiotic that cost $1,500.00 per dose -- once per day for 6 weeks. I presently test negative for MRSA; but, the surgeon is reluctant to do anymore shoulder reconstruction, concerned the infection might reoccur.

Interestingly, two of the most common places to pick up a MRSA infection are hospitals and locker rooms.

**Rick** · 08-29-2013, 10:10 AM

Sorry you had such a tough time of it, TJ. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

MRSA is everywhere. Outside the hospital environment it is referred to as CA-MRSA or Community Associated MRSA. It's nothing more than a common staph bacteria that is now resistant to methicillin antibiotics as well as a host of others. It's estimated that about 25% of us carry the bacteria in our nose at any given time. Real common stuff. It's normally not a problem on the outside but once it finds a crack in the skin or finds its way into our blood then it's horrible stuff as TJ pointed out. Or if you have a weakened immune system.

MRSA (and CA-MRSA) is passed by casual contact. So person to person or person to contaminated surface will pass the bacteria. Mom was a lot smarter than we gave her credit for. Keep you fingers out of your nose and eyes and wash your hands regularly with hot soap and water or an alcohol based hand rub to prevent contamination.

Here's some more info on it.

http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/index.html

**Phaedrus** · 08-30-2013, 05:38 AM

I just read about a woman that died of a similar infection when a grocery bag ripped and a glass bottle broke and cut her foot. Scary stuff! If we don't quit shoveling antibiotics out like candy for every little sniffle we're gonna be back in the Dark Ages again, medically. Things will be like they were before the discovery of penicillin.

**BENESSE** · 08-30-2013, 08:02 AM

As TJW can vouch for, from his personal horrific experience, this is some scary $hit.
Imagine being in a SHTF situation and you come down with it...you truly will be SOL.
Living in the city, I tend to go a little overboard in sanitary precautions but obviously this can happen anywhere.
Curious to learn if there is something one can do at the very beginning, if you only suspect it could me MRSA but not sure and don't have a way of finding out. Like take antibiotics (but which?!) or sprinkle antibiotic powder on the scrape/wound.

**Rick** · 08-30-2013, 08:25 AM

Actually it's not the use of antibiotics but the misuse of them and we are to blame. If the doctor sames 2 per day until the bottle is empty then that's what you need to do. It's not okay to stop half way through because you feel better. That's one of the ways bacteria becomes resistant.

**tjwilhelm** · 08-30-2013, 09:24 AM

Some of you might think this is a tad bit far out and wacko; but, based on my study and experience, I give it some credence...

It's been reported that several universities have studied the effects of an essential oil called "Thieves" on MRSA (staph) and other infectious organisms. The reported data indicates that diffusing "Thieves" oil in a room will kill up to 96% of all the infectious bugs in the room. Based on these studies, there are some hospitals in he world that use "Thieves" as a matter of S.O.P., especially when a patient with MRSA infection is resident and isolated from the rest of the hospital population.

My MRSA infection was HA-MRSA: Hospital Acquired. We used "Thieves" on a regular basis in my hospital room, and then frequently at home during my recovery. During my last surgery, the surgeon took every kind of tissue sample imaginable -- bone marrow, bone scrapings, muscle, fat, skin, etc. He had the lab culture all these tissues for over two weeks. Nothing grew...I was MRSA-free. I attribute at least part of this outcome to the use of the "Thieves" oil. Now, we keep it in our first aid/medical/health supplies.

Here are a few links to info, if you're interested:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/1...8#.UiCbtSko4b0

http://thievesessentialoils.com/category/research/

**BENESSE** · 08-30-2013, 10:10 AM

Thank you TJW!
Bookmarked the links, will definitely order. Another tool in the belt, as we say.

**crashdive123** · 08-30-2013, 02:38 PM

TJ - not far out or wacko at all if it works for you. Really glad it did.

**nell67** · 08-30-2013, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by tjwilhelm

Some of you might think this is a tad bit far out and wacko; but, based on my study and experience, I give it some credence...

It's been reported that several universities have studied the effects of an essential oil called "Thieves" on MRSA (staph) and other infectious organisms. The reported data indicates that diffusing "Thieves" oil in a room will kill up to 96% of all the infectious bugs in the room. Based on these studies, there are some hospitals in he world that use "Thieves" as a matter of S.O.P., especially when a patient with MRSA infection is resident and isolated from the rest of the hospital population.

My MRSA infection was HA-MRSA: Hospital Acquired. We used "Thieves" on a regular basis in my hospital room, and then frequently at home during my recovery. During my last surgery, the surgeon took every kind of tissue sample imaginable -- bone marrow, bone scrapings, muscle, fat, skin, etc. He had the lab culture all these tissues for over two weeks. Nothing grew...I was MRSA-free. I attribute at least part of this outcome to the use of the "Thieves" oil. Now, we keep it in our first aid/medical/health supplies.

Here are a few links to info, if you're interested:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/1...8#.UiCbtSko4b0

http://thievesessentialoils.com/category/research/

You are not the first person that I have heard who was infected with MRSA who later showed none of it in their system. HA-acquired or nosocomial infections are due to the carelessness of the attending staff in practicing proper hygiene, mostly like Rick said wash your hands with soap and water!. In one of my classes we are studying some of these infections and the instructor told us that insurance companies (especially medicaid and medicare for now,but others are following) are requiring patients who may be admits to have their noses swabbed,and if the swab grew MRSA,then if the patient comes down with that infection while in the hospital,or for a short period after being in the hospital,then the hospital will not be liable for paying for the treatment of that patient. Hospitals are required to cover treatment of any patient or staff who becomes infected during their hospital stay for MRSA and C-diff.... another infection you don't want and the treatment for C-diff is disgusting, it is antibiotic resistant.

**Rick** · 08-30-2013, 05:12 PM

Like TJ, I had a shoulder infection when I had surgery last year. It was NOT MRSA but it was probably the most painful thing I've ever had. I empathize with TJ having to endure the infection and the problems associated with MRSA on top of it. The infection pulled the incision apart and to be honest when it finally opened it was the most intense feeling of relief I think I've ever experienced. All that said, I don't know that I could blame the hospital or employees for the problem. Maybe I inadvertent did it myself or my wife did it changing a dressing or it was on a pajama top or shirt and found it's way to the incision that way. Who knows? Unless TJ was in hospital the whole time, and he may well have been given the seriousness of his injuries, it would be hard to say where it was acquired. Even then it could have been brought in by a friend or relative. Staff bacteria is just so darn prevalent. The stuff is everywhere.

Doing the nasal swab doesn't really do it for me. Since so many people can carry MRSA and not be infected you'd almost have to do DNA on the MRSA to show the strain in your nose was the same strain that infected you and even then you can't be sure you were the source. Only that it's the same strain.

**nell67** · 08-30-2013, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

Like TJ, I had a shoulder infection when I had surgery last year. It was NOT MRSA but it was probably the most painful thing I've ever had. I empathize with TJ having to endure the infection and the problems associated with MRSA on top of it. The infection pulled the incision apart and to be honest when it finally opened it was the most intense feeling of relief I think I've ever experienced. All that said, I don't know that I could blame the hospital or employees for the problem. Maybe I inadvertent did it myself or my wife did it changing a dressing or it was on a pajama top or shirt and found it's way to the incision that way. Who knows? Unless TJ was in hospital the whole time, and he may well have been given the seriousness of his injuries, it would be hard to say where it was acquired. Even then it could have been brought in by a friend or relative. Staff bacteria is just so darn prevalent. The stuff is everywhere.

Doing the nasal swab doesn't really do it for me. Since so many people can carry MRSA and not be infected you'd almost have to do DNA on the MRSA to show the strain in your nose was the same strain that infected you and even then you can't be sure you were the source. Only that it's the same strain.

I dont think the government cares about the DNA or strain. This is just what we were informed of in class this week.