? What Do You Mamas/ Papas Know About MSRA?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus - It lives on our skin in various areas including nose. It flares up or "colonizes" for various reasons. I had a cut in my nose and had a huge flare up about two years ago. While it is resistant to some antiB it is not to all. In fact, the amount of antiB you take can play a role in how the medicine they give you reacts with the bacteria (per the doctor that treated me).
It is not flesh eating, but can cause cellulitis (the separating of skin from underlying tissue). This is typically remedied when the infection clears (as was my case).
My nephew had this in his knee when he was just a little guy (2 or 3) he had to have a cast and a walking IV. It was very scary for my SIL and Brother.
We supported them by listening, praying, not trying to diagnose or be experts and encouraging them that they were doing everything right by listening to the doctor:) That is what I'd do with your friend , too.

When my SD got a really bad staph infection, she was not hospitalized. It was localized. She had to keep it clean, covered, and we asked her not to hold DD for a while, as DD was an infant. We were assured by the nurses and doctors that SD would not pass it to DD if she was careful and she could be in the same household. We were told that initial treatment was the same, regardless of strain of staph. All you can do for your friend is support them however they need. It is scary to have a child in the hospital for any reason, but their child should be fine.

What you are thinking of is Necrotizing fasciitis, something very different (don't Google that unless you can stomach graphic images).

MRSA is a staph infection that doesn't respond to most antibiotics. It can stay in the system and flare up, and it is also highly contagious. The lesions look like inflamed pimples. They are painful but not itchy. And yes, they can ooze pus. It's not flesh eating bacteria... it doesn't liquidify the flesh like that did. But it's serious because the staph bacteria can enter the body and infect the bloodstream, heart, organs, etc.

I think the only way to support is to be open to talking about it. Their child is probably just fine and it will be nothing more than a nuisance... but it's scary because hospitals really really worry about MRSA and they've probably seriously scared your friend.

I had my entire family has had mrsa. My husband was tested and is a carrier- meaning it lives naturally on his skin, nose, etc. We just limit contact with him when there are open wounds and such.
But the bacteria is everywhere and can creep into any pore or opening in the skin. It doesn't usually flare up, but it can be stubborn to get rid of if not caught early, esp with the young and elderly.
And yes- it hurts like hell. I had it in one of breasts when nursing. When they finally test me for mrsa, it had gotten so bad that it took 4 mos of very strong antibiotics to clear. I had to stop breastfeeding due to the meds, but the pain was horrible. I still have phantom pains to this day.
No-it's not the flesh eating bacteria. MRSA is staph.

MRSA is present in all but flares up (which is when there is a problem). There are different stains of MRSA and some are antibotic resistant and also known as "Fleshin Eating". Exact treatment depends on the strain and how bad it is. Best way to support your friend is to talk to her and ask what would help her best.

Well, it's MRSA.

It's a staph infection. If not treated promptly it can be deadly. Some strains are resisting the usual antibotic treatment.

A few years ago, when both my boys were on the wrestling team, it went through our school. Put two wrestlers in the hospital. Luckily, my boys did not get it, but it shut down the wrestling program in our area for the entire season.

:(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methicillin-resistant_Staphy...

I should also mention, our district took it very seriously. They shut down all school activities for the weekend and the entire school was professionally disinfected. Since then, we have not had another case. However it's fairly common in this area and other districts go through the same thing.