Tips for Preventing MRSA
MRSA prevention lies in good hygiene, from hand washing to not sharing personal hygiene articles with others. In the hospital, hand washing among health care personnel is of utmost importance, as well as proper cleaning of medical equipment between patients. In your everyday life, simple things like not sharing your towel or not using a shared bar of soap at the gym may help prevent community acquired MRSA infections. For the good of the general public and yourself, always follow doctor’s orders when taking antibiotics. Take the full course prescribed, even if you feel better sooner. Don’t insist that your doctor prescribe antibiotics if he or she does not feel it will help. Abuse of antibiotics has been a key driving force in the development of drug resistant bacteria.
Sources
Heymann, David (2004.) Control of communicable diseases manual. Washington D.C.: American Public Health Association.
Dr. Neil Fishman, Interview by telephone by Anna Spector. July 25 2007.
Infectious Diseases Society of America. Bad Bugs, No Drugs. As Antibiotic Discovery Stagnates, a Public Health Crisis Brews. July 2004.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Press Release. CDC estimates 94,000 invasive drug-resistant staph infections occurred in the U.S. in 2005. Retrieved October 16, 2007.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC. Healthcare-Associated MRSA. Retrieved October 18, 2007.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC. Community Acquired MRSA: Clinicians FAQs. Retrieved January 14, 2008.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings- 2002. Retrieved October 18, 2007.