Staph

Audreyfay · Dec 11, 2002

Staph...or staphylococcus, is a bacteria present on the skin. Unfortunately, if it gets into the wrong place, i.e. the blood, it can cause life-threatening illnesses. My uncle, who was 70, also died of a staph infection in the blood. Normally, the person is given IV antibiotics, which hopefully will kill the bacteria. However, due to unnecessary uses of antibiotics, some bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics (MRSA - methicillin [penicillin] resistant staphylococcus aureus.) My uncle ended up with multi-organ failure from the antibiotics. I'm sorry to hear about your mother. I'm sure you will get plenty of responses on this one. So, I'll leave the rest of the information to others, who probably can elaborate more.

duckie · Dec 11, 2002

Originally posted by Audreyfay
Staph...or staphylococcus, is a bacteria present on the skin. Unfortunately, if it gets into the wrong place, i.e. the blood, it can cause life-threatening illnesses. My uncle, who was 70, also died of a staph infection in the blood. Normally, the person is given IV antibiotics, which hopefully will kill the bacteria. However, due to unnecessary uses of antibiotics, some bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics (MRSA - methicillin [penicillin] resistant staphylococcus aureus.) My uncle ended up with multi-organ failure from the antibiotics. I'm sorry to hear about your mother. I'm sure you will get plenty of responses on this one. So, I'll leave the rest of the information to others, who probably can elaborate more.

Please don't take this the wrong way but after reading this, I just had to have a good cry, maybe a long over due one, since my hubby is now being treated for MRSA caught at work. I'm so sorry about your family members and I can suddenly feel this urge to scream in dispair as my hubby has been on BID Vanc. for a while now and this am another blister popped up on his hand. God help me but suddenly I'm so scared of loosing him. Can anyone tell me what they try next if the vanc. doesn't work?????

HISSYTHECAT · Dec 11, 2002

Duckie I am sorry for your troubles. I hope the best for you and your husband. I will keep you in my prayers. hissy

PennyLane, RN · Dec 11, 2002

Ducky, I am so sorry another blister was found. I know that's not the turn of events you'd been hoping for. Maybe you should look into "alternative" ways to boost your husband's immune system? I'm sure the alternative medical literature has something to suggest. My mom's way into that stuff and knows a few really good doctors in our area (medical doctors) that incorporate vitamins, herbs, etc in their practice.

Keeping you in my thoughts.

Melanie

Sleepyeyes · Dec 11, 2002

...and yogurt, duckie....

sevans · Dec 11, 2002

Duckie - I just came across this article today on an alternative to vancomycin for MRSA - haven't had a chance to read it all yet, but maybe it will have some new info for you. Good Luck!

http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/CID/journal/sponsored/pharmacia/CIDv34p1481/

duckie · Dec 12, 2002

Thank you so much for this article. I printed it out and kept the link. This humble duck is going to turn into a screeching vulture if Jimmy doesn't get to feeling better soon. Up until today, I've been able to handle it and not over react but for some reason the whole thing just hit me in the face like a 2 x 4 and I fell apart. We just held each other for awhile and I've cried it all out I think but I am seriously thinking of cutting my work hours if this doesn't break soon. I feel like a rubber band ready to snap and it's not the profession to be in for that feeling. My bosses are great and are taking me back to my other unit to ease my stress, as they are seeing it take it's toll on me. The other night another nurse told me she had never seen a live person as gray as I was. My health and nerves are being affected too and I'd rather save on the money and go to less hours than to end up with more problems than I already have. Thank you so much for your input here. NOW.......Hissy, I want to tell you I am sorry. I didn't mean to take over your thread. When I saw your thread my thoughts were to reach out and comfort you and instead, well, I didn't provide much comfort. I'm sending you hugs and good warm thougths, loosing your Mom was not fair and I am so sorry. Maybe Heaven just needed a beautiful Angel at that time and she was the precious one chosen. But your Mom will always be within you and the love you feel for her can never be erased from your heart and I really believe someday you will hold her close again. You are in my thoughts...........Duckie

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2002

Sorry Duckie and Hissythecat. (Duckie, I had a coworker who caught in his hand when he cut himself on a ng tube suction set up, he needed a lot of treatment, antibiodics, PICC line, the works. Now he is fine, but it was a tough one. I'm sure your dear loved one will pull through just fine too.)

The best defense of course is good handwashing, and gloves, especially with an open wound.

Staph is very prevelent. However, though we'd all be dropping like flies if it were that easy to catch and make us sick. You body's natural defenses and the above are usually enough to ward it off in a healthy person.

The elderly, the sick. or exposure to an open wound like Duckie's husband, etc. are the one's who get it.

Don't stress over it, that will lower your immunity and make you prone to illness.

Peace.

HISSYTHECAT · Dec 12, 2002

Duckie that is ok. Sometimes it helps to talk about stuff. I am having a hard time right now with Christmas and Thanksgiving Day was really bad. The day before Thanksgiving , they took my mom away from me. They put her in a nursing home and she passed away on 2-7. I knew she had Staph and I did not know anything about it till the day she died. I never wore any kind of scrubs, gloves, or anything. I am wanting to go into nursing now, and I was wandering about this. Duckie, I hope things goes well for you and give me a holler if you need to talk to someone. Hissy )