It wasn't very long ago that this topic came up. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. I am bringing it up again because of 2 cases that have come to my attention locally. Neither in the elderly,or the very young, but in adults in their prime. (late 30's, early 40's). For those of us going in and out of hospitals, and clinics, giving hands on care, please be alert about this, not only for the LO, but for yourself. Here are 2 links of many. Just google MRSA to find out more.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mrsa/DS00735/DSECTION=1
http://www.cepheid.com/Sites/cepheid/content.cfm?id=253...PXk48CFQRvHgodQi7LTQ

one more
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/heic

I am alarmed to see warnings that my old standby, tea tree oil, while still effective, is thought to be over used, in shampoos, cosmetics, etc., and is in danger of losing it's effectiveness. Staph is possibly building resistence here also.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bobcat,

quote:

I am alarmed to see warnings that my old standby, tea tree oil, while still effective, is thought to be over used, in shampoos, cosmetics, etc., and is in danger of losing its effectiveness.

WOW!! That's a bummer!

Here, MRSAs are in the general population, so EVERYONE should use GOOD sanitation and hygiene procedures. I learned many years ago before there were effective vaccinations against parvo virus in dogs, to pay attention to SHOES because rain, dust, walking all spread bacteria and viruses far and wide. When I had a litter of puppies, people had to step in a weak bleach solution before they could enter my house! It's no coincidence that many bacterias and viruses "bloom" during the spring when rain and snowmelt wash them from yard to yard, block to block, street to street... Best defense is to remove shoes at the door and wipe the soles with a Clorox CleanUp wipe before putting them back in the closet!!

Be CAREFUL out there! The world is a NASTY place! REQUIRE that ALL health care workers of ANY kind entering your home must WASH their hands with hospital-strength soap (not the weenie stuff by Dial or the no-water products like Purell - wash!!) and wear gloves when touching your loved one.

Make it a habit when returning home from "out there," to go straight to the bathroom and wash your hands (and face). Make your kids and spouses do it, too!!

When shopping with a cart, use the Purell stuff after you unload your groceries into your vehicle. Shopping cart handles are nasty beyond belief!!

And change your toothbrushes at least monthly and after any infection or virus!

While these measures may not prevent or kill an MRSA infection, it WILL help to control the spread of the bacteria and so MANY others to which elderly people are especially susceptible.