MRSA Colonized? Means ?

[Rascal1]

Okay I'll admit it I'm confused about the uses of the definitions of "colonization" , "colonized" "decolonized" ? "uncolonized".

As I notice them sometimes used backwards , and this way and that way. Please Someone help me with this !!

Does decolonized mean infection free ? What causes a healthy young person to contract an active mrsa+ infection ?

Who are the high risk patients that it's said to be suggested these individuals be tested for mrsa ? Can healthy individuals

who tested positive at one time, suddenly come down with an active mrsa infection ?

Thanks for your answers in advance !

[ukstudent]

As a female you know that you have yeast cells in your lady parts, you are therefor colonized. Only when you get an over abundance of yeast and start to have symptoms do you have a yeast infection.

In the same way if you swab random noses, some of the swabs will grow out MRSA, they will be considered colonized. People that have pustulant boils that grow out MRSA are considered infected.

If both colonized and infected people are given antibiotics and then subsequently test negative over a period of time they are considered uncolonized.

[Rascal1]

Having been out of Nursing and even further away from hospital work, I do appreciate any input.

UKstudent, After reading your reply wondering if you can explain something further? Does having

mrsa whether colonized or not mean that anytime there is a skin infection it will always automatically

be positive for mrsa ? Requiring ABT of some type,as mrsa is a potentially deadly bacteria ?

I read it is often recommended that "high risk" patients that present themselves to the emergency

dept. be tested for mrsa ? Who are these "high risk" patients ? And who are the individuals that

require 8-12 weeks? of I.V. Vancomycin therapy ?

[ukstudent]

I hope I can help, however, I will point out that I am not an infection control nurse. So this is just my understanding.

Being colonized with MRSA does not mean that any wound will then be infected with MRSA. Why some people get MRSA infections and others don't is not something I understand. Stress levels and the immune system have something to do with it.

High risk populations are those that live/work/play in close proximity of each other. Such as nursing home residents, prisoners and school children that play sports (athaletic equipment/ mats etc).