Post surgery complication - MRSA

My wife had a Lower Pannicultty on 12/9, she has been slow to heal, a new hot spot opened over the last week (red area on the stitches line), and doctor precribed heavy duty antibotics (the once that treat bacertia resistent infections, the culture came back today as MRSA, and he said that since we treated it early their is no reason to worry, but it will take a while to heal,. 

Has anyone had any experience with MRSA infections? 

I have worked in the medical field and let me say that Bleach is now your new best friend. It is something that is very contagious and can be spread if you get it in an open wound. Just be careful and keep an eye on it. If it isn't getting better then you need to get her some more antibiotics. Good luck

 I am a R N and we do see a lot of this in the hospital.  Your doc is right about as long as u r on the right antibiotics and treated it early, u will be fine.  The one thing that I can't stress enough is good hand washing....with good antiseptic soap.  

Good luck
Patty

My husband had an area on his back that was questionable for MRSA. In the meantime while waiting for the culture, the doc prescribed a topical too. Might want to check on it. I don't recall the name. As the others said, it is very contagious. It scared the bejeezus out of us because it can be very, very serious. Look up preventing MRSA and you'll see all of the preventative measures you need to take to protect yourself and keep her from spreading it to other areas of her body. You need to stay away from the area. Make certain there are gloves used when tending to the wound and anything touching the area is disposed of in a sealed bag. I'd suggest going through and doing a thorough wipe down with bleach or anticeptic wipes of all areas that are frequently touched in the house--handles to everything, phones, remotes, stair rails--anything you can think of, then wash, wash, wash. Do NOT share towels. Wash her clothes and towels separately in ho****er. Keep the wound covered to avoid any seepage of fluid from it getting onto anything else (like leaking through clothes onto sheets/blanket). I'm telling you my poor husband felt like a leper by the time we were done, but I'm glad we did it. I'm probably a little overboard, but the way the doctor warned us we listened and did as we were told.

I wish her a speedy recovery!

Denise

 Those r all great suggestions Denise!

Patty

Where does MRSA come from....is it a bacteria that  can develop on its own and just happens, or does the patient have to be exposed to it first from somewhere else first. 

I'm jumping into this forum because I'm just starting to look at PS for myself.
I saw this post and figured I would add my two cent knowledge.

I have had MRSA. It had nothing to do with surgery.
MRSA is a bacteria that lives "naturally" on your skin but has mutated to be resistant to a certain anti-biotic. I believe it's anti biotics that are "cillon" based? Not sure of this part.
But ultimately, you come in contact with someone who has this "resistant" "natural" bacteria and it gets into your skin. Open pores will accept it...not just open wounds.
It can "colonize", usually in the nasal cavity.

I found this out when I had what appeared to be an abscess in my armpit.
I was given a usual antibiotic but it took almost 14 days for the abscess to go away.
Then I got another one in almost the same spot about 2 weeks later.
I got it cultured and it was confirmed MRSA.

I was prescribed the appropriate antibiotics, a ointment to apply into my nose and a body wash (OTC) to wash with for 5 days.
I have not had any issues since.

Now my husband has had an outbreak on his thigh. He did not do the nasal ointment or the wash as I was prescribed and he got it again. I gave him the nasal ointment and wash and he hasn't had it again since.

My suggestion, treat it like a lice infestation.
Treat the entire problem, the infection area, the possible colony in the nasal cavity, and the entire body.
Do not share towels, bedding etc. Wash them accordingly.

It is very predominant in hospitals. It's happening more and more. But with the proper "total" treatment, it can be easily gotten rid of.

Just my two cents.
Donna