MRSA

So, my first blog is going to be about something that has recently become an issue within our family. This is MRSA. It seems to be, since I've come into contact with it the most HATED four letter acronym out there. I think in most minds its even worse than AIDS. My conclusion has been that it is because people are uneducated and scared more than the infection itself is bad. Don't get me wrong, MRSA can be bad for anyone, but there are different levels of this infection and not all staph infections are alike.

Now your probably asking yourself, "Why is this an issue for her?"...well its an issue for me simply because I have a three year old son who within the last year, we found out has MRSA. So here's our MRSA story:

When I was pregnant with my second son, Benjamin, we found out through ultra-sound that he had some kind of kidney condition, Hydonephrosis. We delivered him early by the help of induction and he was born on December 14, 2007. Since then he has been on bactrim, an antibiotic to help prevent kidney infections. He has also indured many tests, ultrasounds and etc. including I.V's and much more. Its been a rough 3 years. Last year in March, my son Ben had kidney surgery to fix the ureters that were deformed and not working properly. You see, he has one kidney that is a lot smaller than the other and if he looses the better kidney, he could be in serious trouble. There was also a stint put in place to help it drain. During the surgery he also had tubes put in his ears as we have a history of chronic ear infections in our family and with our children. Something else that Ben had indured a lot of.

After surgery we recovered with him for several weeks, the first four days being the worst. Watching my son lay in agony screaming and crying in pain, is something I never want to watch again, especially at 2 years old. It was horrible. Several weeks later his stint was removed, which also caused great pain. When the stint was removed things got better and Ben got back to himself, for the most part. Then we found out that he had a staph infection in his bladder. He was put on another series of antibiotics to get rid of it. We had another scare about a month later that it had come back, but to our relief, we had a test done and it was negative.

A couple months later our son got an ear infection in his left ear. We took him to the doctor because the ear was draining a horrible smelling green liquid. The doctor gave him an antibiotic for it, which didn't work, we were in the doctor later that week. By the third doctor visit we got a MRSA test done, he had MRSA. We didnt know what MRSA was and was unsure of how to handle it. They prescribed antibiotic after antibiotic and NOTHING got rid of it. Finally, an ENT said that his left tube would need to be removed to see if that would make it go away. We had the surgery and since then, we have had no ear infections, until now.

My youngest son was hospitalized for RSV a couple weeks ago, while I was in the hospital, my other two sons, who were also congested, got ear infections. For us, its just a fact of life almost. And undoubtedly, I've done everything right, kept them away from smoke-we don't smoke, and breastfed. Ear infections are just in our anatomy. So here we are again, an ear infection that just wont go away. Ben has no finished a 10 day antibiotic and has not had draining with this last ear infection, which was in both ears. And since he has a tube in his right ear, and the ear infection hasnt went away, I am concerned that the MRSA is there.

NOW, here's where the education comes in. Something, I've learned is that MRSA likes to attach itself to objects, such as ear tubes and forms a barrier protecting itself from antibiotics, killing it. Thus, when we got the left tube removed, the infection went away. He may not have it surrounding the right tube, an ENT appointment will tell. Ben more than likely picked up MRSA from one of his surgeries at the hospital. But here's the facts about MRSA:

MRSA is transmitted by one of two ways, either by touching someones infected skin or things that have come into contact to their infection...which in Bens case would be his ear drainage or other drainage that is infected like snot. Which doesnt mean every time he has a runny nose, you can get MRSA from him.

MRSA on the skin and in the body are two different things, within the body it can go dormant and come back again later, or it can not come back ever again. People usually infected with MRSA dont even know they have it. MRSA on the skin can cause pus and other problems. If someone has it on their skin, covering it with a bandage, prevents other from getting it. And unless running a fever or having other symptoms, MRSA is likely dormant.

MRSA is not dangerous to the general public. Although people with debilitating disease such as cancer and etc. should stay clear from those infected with MRSA.

One of the biggest ways to prevent getting MRSA: stay away from drainage, especially open surfaces such as eyes, ears, nose and mouth. If its on the skin, avoid any skin to skin contact, specifically open wounds or cuts. And good handwashing. And if you think you might have MRSA stay away from others until you see a doctor who can tell you how to handle it.

This being said, my son in particular is not a harm to others. With this MRSA label he has been treated differently, which is why I relate it to the acronym AIDS. Because until people knew what AIDS was and really understood it, everyone was afraid of even being near someone with it. We now know how its spread and prevent it. I understand the fear, I do. But as his mom I also know what research I've done and what numerous doctors have told me about what he has. He is a normal kid and he's not going to spread it your children by accidently sharing a sippy cup or holding her hand. Your not going to get it by changing his diaper or giving him a kiss. And if it does come back, I'll get him to a doctor and prescribed the right antibiotic. After 2-7 days, the antibiotic has taken effect and he is not a threat to anyone. As long as he doesnt have a fever or drainage...I'm taking him to the store, to church and letting him enjoy life. At now, 3 years old, he's a child and I'm not going to label him, Ben the kid with MRSA. He's just Ben.

If your afraid of MRSA you should do all the right research and talk to your doctors. Otherwise, keep your opinions to yourself, unless you know the facts. Because you just might have it, or your child might have it, and you may never know because its just there. Think about it.