MRSA is a term used for methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus. It is an infection caused by a specific type of staphylococcus bacteria that has become resistant to many antibiotics.
Does Alcohol Kill MRSA?
Many studies have been conducted to test the efficacy of various hospital and surgical solutions against the growth of MRSA. The community acquired strains of MRSA were applied with different surgical and hospital solutions or agents and one specimen was kept intact, without applying any hospital solutions. The one without any application showed a 100% growth rate, while those applied with 95% and 100% alcohol showed a complete growth inhibition. Thus, many studies conclude that the solutions that have a high percentage of alcohol in them can be successfully used to prevent the spread of the MRSA infection in hospital and surgical environments.
Prevention Of MRSA
- HA-MRSA or healthcare associated MRSA is the kind which is caught by people in the hospital or healthcare settings like nursing homes etc.
- If people in the hospital get affected by MRSA, they are separated so that the spread of MRSA can be prevented
- Those attending to such patients and visitors may need to wear garments that are specifically designed for protection against MRSA
- Attendants and visitors to these patients must also exercise strict hygiene protocols
- Contaminated equipment, surfaces and garments, clothing etc., must be properly laundered and disinfected
CA-MRSA or community associated MRSA is the type that gets transferred from person to person in community or social settings. This is more prevalent in healthy people
- To prevent CA-MRSA from spreading, it is best to wash and scrub you hands for a minimum of 15 minutes
- It is wise to carry a hand sanitizer around with you, especially when there is no access to water and soap
- Any cuts and wounds must be kept covered with dry, sterile bandages till the time they heal
- The infected wounds may contain MRSA. Keeping them covered will ensure that they do not spread to other people. Also, if you are not-infected, then covering the wounds will ensure that you do not get infected with MRSA either.
- Personal things like towels, sheets, washcloths, razors, undergarments must not be shared. MRSA can spread as easily through contaminated material as through direct contact
- It is a good practice to wash yourselves or take a shower after a sports event or athletic workout, preferably with soap and water. Contact sports like wrestling are more likely to spread diseases like MRSA
- Washing the clothes in laundry detergent and then drying them in a hot dryer will ensure that bacteria are killed
- Do not inject intravenous illicit drugs. Bacteria and viruses including MRSA and HIV can easily spread through intravenous route
Risk Factors For MRSA
The risk factors for HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA are different as these two types occur in two different areas.
HA-MRSA Risk Factors–
- Being in hospital is a great risk factor, especially for older people and those who have a compromised immune system, as these two groups are the most vulnerable to the attack of MRSA
- Invasive medical devices pose another risk factor. These devices, like tubing etc. can provide an easy access for the MRSA to enter the body
- Staying at places like long-term care facilities or day care facilities is a risk factor too. Those carrying MRSA can spread it to others, even if they themselves do not present with any symptoms
CA-MRSA Risk Factors–
- Taking part in contact sports like wrestling can provide an easy path for MRSA to spread to others
- Living in places that are very crowded child care centers, like military camps and jails, or unhygienic places is a common risk factor for the spread of MRSA
- Use of illicit drugs through intravenous route makes people more prone to catching MRSA.
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