MRSA is an infection that has developed from a common staph bacteria. Staph bacteria can live on the skin or in the nose of healthy individuals – usually without causing any problems or disease. However, any compromise or injury to the skin (an abrasion or cut) can allow an opportunity for bacteria to penetrate the skin’s defense and cause an infection. In rare cases, if left untreated or not recognized early enough, MRSA infections can become very difficult to treat. They can even progress to life-threatening blood or bone infections.
How is an MRSA Infection Diagnosed?
A sample from the infected wound (either a small biopsy of skin or pus taken with a swab) must be obtained to grow the bacteria in the microbiology laboratory. Once the Staph is growing, the organism is tested to determine which antibiotics will be effective for treating the infection. A culture from a known or suspected skin infection is especially useful in recurrent or persistent cases of skin infection, in cases of antibiotic failure, and in cases that present with advanced or aggressive infections (e.g. bloodstream infections).
Standard Health Precautions
Athletes who participate in sports involving direct physical contact (e.g. wrestling and football) can get a MRSA infection. Athletes and anyone else around public facilities (hospitals, rest homes, etc.) should follow these health and hygiene practices listed below to help prevent and control MRSA within the athletic setting.
1. Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using any sports facilities.
2. Avoid sharing personal items (e.g., towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms) that may have had contact with and infected individual or potentially infectious material.
3. Report any suspicious skin sore or boil to your healthcare provider and school nurse immediately.
4. Shower with soap if you participate in sports involving close personal contact (e.g. wrestling and football) immediately after each practice, game, or match.
5. Non-washable gear (e.g. head protectors), should be wiped down with alcohol after each use.
6. Athletic equipment such as wrestling or gymnastics mats should be wiped down regularly with an antibacterial solution (e.g. Hibiclens).
7. Athletes involved in close contact sports should receive a total body check by the appropriate athletic personnel prior to any game, match or tournament.
8. Individuals with an infection involving drainage (e.g. pus drainage), who are involved in close contact sports, should be excluded from participation in sporting events and practices until no pus drainage is present and the infected site can be adequately covered with a bandage and clothing.
9. Any cut or break in the skin should be washed with soap and water and a clean, dry dressing applied on a daily basis, before and after participation in close contact sports, and after using any sports facilities.
10. Tell your healthcare provider (e.g. primary care doctor or school nurse) and the appropriate athletic personnel if you currently have or have had a history of an antibiotic-resistant Staph skin infection(s).
A Better Way!
You’ve probably already heard us say it, but nature has already provided us with protection against all infections. We are quite serious about the need to be aware of our essential oil, monolaurin and good nutritional supplements to defend against infections. Today, it is even more important to be aware of natural treatments because of the difficulty antibiotics are having.
As we said, nature offers options for an MRSA infection. We don’t have to be dependent on standard antibiotics (weak, at best). You can let Nature defend you! Nature has to defend itself against the same bacteria and has developed some wonderful defenses. You can see in our other articles in the website that we have spend considerable time on nature’s essential oils and a monolaurin defensive system. Our complete natural treatment system for MRSA involves:
1. An external treatment for MRSA conditions,
2. An internal direct MRSA treatment and immune system strengthener, and
3. A household environment MRSA antibacterial products.
Link to our: 3-Step MRSA Protocol.