Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA causes various infections to the human body. Mostly, it is an antibiotic-resistant bacterium. When one is infected with MRSA, symptom such as sores on the skin may be noticed. Since MRSA is very contagious, it is important that you seek medical attention once you experience such symptoms early enough to prevent further damage to the skin.
Anyone can get infected with MRSA since it is spread by skin to skin contact. When an infected victim who gets into close touch with you, chances of being infected as well is high. A large number of people with weak immune system are more contagious to these infections. However, there are numerous MRSA prevention strategies that have been put in place to reduce the spread of these diseases.
Prevention in Hospitals
In a hospital, it is important that the contagious patients are isolated in a different room from the rest. Besides, health caregivers are required to put on protective clothing and gloves while attending to the patients all the time. Ensuring proper hygiene is also another prevention strategy in hospitals. Health care workers, as well as the patients, should maintain cleanliness. Their bedding and items used on them should be disinfected to avoid any contaminations.
People who go to hospitals to visit their loved ones infected with MRSA should also wear protective gowns. Aside from that, they should avoid sitting on the patient’s bed to avoid being at risk of being infected. After leaving the ward, they should wash their hands properly or use hand sanitizers immediately.
Prevention in other institutions such as schools
Usually, the primary causes of MRSA are lack of proper hygiene and having unattended openings of wounds on the skin. In a school that is full of all kinds of people, one can easily get infected from a contagious person.
To prevent such incidences, doctors advise individuals with open wounds to seek medical attention or ensure the wounds are covered properly with clean bandages. Children should avoid getting into close skin-to-skin contact with anyone with an open wound
Another MRSA prevention tip is to practice regular cleaning of hands correctly. Detergents such as soaps and other sanitizers can be used to eliminate the germs. Students are also discouraged from sharing personal clothing such as inner clothing and towels.
Considering the MRSA prevention tips mentioned above, chances of getting infected is very minimal. Note that those tips not only apply to hospitals and schools but also anywhere you go to such as public joints or functions.