Bummed...I think I have MRSA

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Specializes in Level III cardiac/telemetry.

I developed a nasty abcess last Friday and had an I&D on Saturday. The Dr was pretty sure it's MRSA but I haven't been able to find out about the culture yet. Since it was done in a clinic on saturday, their stuff doesn't get sent out until Monday afternoon. It should have been back today but nobody called me back. I was told I can work since the abcess was in the groin and to just do good hand hygiene. I've been obsessive about washing, sanitizing, bleaching all my clothes (have probably done 20 loads of laundry since then!) But today in the shower I found a small abcess on my left groin (the first was on the right.) I'm keeping an eye on it and doing heat packs. I'm taking Bactrim and using bactroban in the nares and on the wound so I started using it on the new abcess as well. I'm trying to come to grips with the fact I'm going to have to have another I&D done, probably tomorrow.

I'm just not sure what to do. I know that the actually site of the infection is covered and not being exposed to anybody, but I feel like I'm spreading infection everywhere I go and I should be yelling "unclean! unclean!" And I hate the thought that I could accidentally pass this to a patient. Anybody's experiences or advice? I started crying in the shower this morning when I found the second abcess and hate the thought of continually having these!

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If you have to have another I+D, and your first culure comes back positive, you really should not be working until you complete all your atb, and have a f/u with your M.D.

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.
If you have to have another I+D, and your first culure comes back positive, you really should not be working until you complete all your atb, and have a f/u with your M.D.

I would disagree. If you keep any drainage covered (HELLO! It's your groin, shouldn't be a problem), you should be able to work (unless it's on your hand or something). I would call and bug the crap out of the doctor though to make sure you're on meds that will cover whatever strain of whatever bug you might have.

Hope it's not MRSA! (I had staph on my leg last year, and we thought it was MRSA.)

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

hope they are starting you on some vancomycin? i send prayers and a white light of healing your way. keep us posted..

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Specializes in MICU/SICU.

I feel your pain! I've developed a wierd sort of rash on my face...unsure what it is...not pustulous though so I"m not really thinking MRSA (my money is actually on psoriasis, MD says he doesn't know but is leaning toward fungal). On abx and antifungal cream. Cultures aren't back. I keep wondering if I'm giving anything to my patients and trying to figure out how to work with an eye patch on :(

Hang in there!

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Case Management, also OR/OB.

I had a post-op wound infection that was found to be MRSA, and it was on my foot... since the darn thing was I&D'd, and packed open, the hospital I worked at would not allow me to work... Are you being referred to an ID specialist... I would certainly ask for one. Sometimes people need the Vanco, as has been suggested, but also lifetime suppressive therapy, if you are colonized to that extent... just a thought

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Just wanted to offer some ((Hugs)). It has to be frustrating I know. I hope it's not MRSA and something else. Either way, I'm sure this is no fun for you.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

what leads us to believe it is MRSA?

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

I know that anytime I get a zit (and I get them along with my monthly "visitor" yipee for me...wrinkles and zits...) the first thing I think is MRSA, regardless of the fact that I get zits on my back every month....

(hugs) and hopes that your "mrsa" is just a big old fat zit.....

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

I've been there. I had an abscess the size of golf ball on my left glute...very uncomfortable! Yes it sucks, and I felt unclean and contaminated, and was treated like a leper by the hospital when I told them about it. It took over a month for my abscess to heal after it was drained, had to wash with this special stuff everyday, had to put bactoban in my nares, I wasn't allowed to work or go near anyone and I now have a scar the size of a 5c piece on my butt.

But you need to take care of yourself, keep the site clean and covered up. You should tell your workplace so they may be able to remove you out of the clinical area while it heals to protect not just patients but you as well.

I hope your second abscess is ok. Keep us updated.

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Specializes in EMS, ER.

Yowzer!!!! Ouch that sucks, I can sympathize, I had a huge abscess in my arm pit, my doc cultured it, found it wasn't MRSA, gave me Keflex and it cleared it right up....for awhile. After several outbreaks my GP sent me to a derm and they determined it is hidradenitis suppurativa. I have found that a combination of Zinc and Turmeric (yes the spice) clears abscesses right up, you can either get the capsules of Turmeric or put a couple teaspoons in a glass of water, usually works in a couple days.......Hope this helps.......

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Oncology, Psych.

Lara, any news yet? Hope everything pans out ok!

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