My infection continues to improve. I am very thankful for that. I did receive news today that it is definitely a MRSA infection. Which makes me even more thankful that it is responding to the antibiotics I was given. I am experiencing little to no pain now, however, the darn thing is very irritating. Itching constantly!! Between the bandages and the wound itself that part of my body is one giant itch. I keep telling myself that means it is getting better. I hope that is true.
When I went to have a doctor to look at my infection, the swelling was about three inches in diameter. Now the swelling is about the size of a nickel. Here is what it looks like now.
Since I have had this infection, several people have asked me what is MRSA, so I thought I would take some time and share what I have learned about it.
- MRSA is short for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.
- MRSA is nothing more than a staphylococcus aureus (staph) infection, however, it can cause huge problems because it is so resistant to many antibiotics.
- MRSA infections are primarily spread in a hospital environment.
- MRSA infections, just like any other staph infection, are extremely contagious.
- The bacteria that make up staph are found on everyone’s skin and in their noses.
- MRSA developed mostly because of the following reasons, 1 overuse of antibiotics, 2 people not taking all of their antibiotics and 3 bacterial genetic change.
- MRSA is NOT a virus, it is a bacterium.
- MRSA was first discovered in 1961.
- A weakened immune system puts you at more risk for developing a MRSA infection. Illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, HIV …
- If you have been hospitalized and needed an IV, a catheter, dialysis, or anything else that can be considered even mildly invasive could put you at a higher risk for MRSA.
So glad it is rsponding to treatment.. that is great news
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Yes it is! I am very happy that it is doing better.
So glad it is rsponding to treatment.. that is great news
My recent post What I meant to say Wednesday week ummm I forgot
Yes it is! I am very happy that it is doing better.
Very glad it's responding, because MRSA can be seriously nasty. I work in Pharma labeling and we've been adding warnings to all the antibiotics regarding overuse of antibiotics and taking the full course of meds.
Many people just psychologically feel better walking out of a doc's office with a scrip, so they're taking meds when not needed (with a virus, for example). Pediatricians complain that parents insist on meds for their sick kids, and they often give in. Other people, when properly diagnosed and medicated, start to feel better within a couple of days so they stop taking their full course. Bad! Because the bugs have now gotten a taste of whatever you were taking and they're great at adapting. So they come back stronger than ever and you need ever-more-potent antibiotics to get rid of them for good. Take these two situations and multiply them by the fact that people have been taking penicillin since WWII…. that's a lot of years for those nasty bacteria to learn a thing or two and adapt to us (also known as evolution).
Ok, there's your pharma lesson for today! Glad you're doing better. And yes… itching is usually a sign of the skin healing. So don't scratch! 🙂
My recent post Cosmic Perspective
Very glad it's responding, because MRSA can be seriously nasty. I work in Pharma labeling and we've been adding warnings to all the antibiotics regarding overuse of antibiotics and taking the full course of meds.
Many people just psychologically feel better walking out of a doc's office with a scrip, so they're taking meds when not needed (with a virus, for example). Pediatricians complain that parents insist on meds for their sick kids, and they often give in. Other people, when properly diagnosed and medicated, start to feel better within a couple of days so they stop taking their full course. Bad! Because the bugs have now gotten a taste of whatever you were taking and they're great at adapting. So they come back stronger than ever and you need ever-more-potent antibiotics to get rid of them for good. Take these two situations and multiply them by the fact that people have been taking penicillin since WWII…. that's a lot of years for those nasty bacteria to learn a thing or two and adapt to us (also known as evolution).
Ok, there's your pharma lesson for today! Glad you're doing better. And yes… itching is usually a sign of the skin healing. So don't scratch! 🙂
My recent post Cosmic Perspective
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Ouch! Take care of yourself eh? (the Canadian in me comes out….)
My recent post Vacation time is here…
Ouch! Take care of yourself eh? (the Canadian in me comes out….)
My recent post Vacation time is here…
i'm really happy that you are responding to treatment. try to do other, obvious things, while you recover. drink a lot of clean water. bulk up on vitamin D3. has to be 3. check fda website for current recommendations. then double that. if you aren't already taking wild salmon oil for your depression or other health issues, it's ripe time to begin. mrsa can take a long time to get over. my father, much more infirmed and far older, spent half a year fighting to keep one of his hands after an iv gave him this lovely bug. take good care and remember that a good sense of humor can be the best medicine at times.
i'll be leaving on a jet plane tomorrow for my half of the hypothetically divorced vacation. internet will be spotty at best. i'll be thinking of you and please continue to take great care of yourself.
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i'm really happy that you are responding to treatment. try to do other, obvious things, while you recover. drink a lot of clean water. bulk up on vitamin D3. has to be 3. check fda website for current recommendations. then double that. if you aren't already taking wild salmon oil for your depression or other health issues, it's ripe time to begin. mrsa can take a long time to get over. my father, much more infirmed and far older, spent half a year fighting to keep one of his hands after an iv gave him this lovely bug. take good care and remember that a good sense of humor can be the best medicine at times.
i'll be leaving on a jet plane tomorrow for my half of the hypothetically divorced vacation. internet will be spotty at best. i'll be thinking of you and please continue to take great care of yourself.
My recent post tea for two
Eek! I hope it continues to improve
Eek! I hope it continues to improve