Treating M.R.S.A.

How is MRSA treated?MRSA should always be treated by a health care provider. It is important to follow the instructions for treatment that your provider gives you. If you do not have an active infection, your health care provider may do tests to find out if you still carry MRSA bacteria on your skin. If you are a MRSA carrier, your provider may decide to:• Do nothing, because the bacteria may go away without treatment
• Reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin
If you have an active MRSA infection, your provider may choose one or more of the following treatments:1. Drain the infection
2. Give antibiotics
3. Reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin
1. Drain the infectionDon’t do this yourself. It is very dangerous to squeeze or poke a skin infection because it can push the bacteria deeper into the skin and make the infection much worse. Draining the infection should only be done by a trained health care provider.The provider will open the sore and drain it. After the infection is drained, you must keep it covered until it heals. Sometimes your provider may ask you to come back for a checkup or to change the dressing. This is to make sure it is healing okay. Some skin infections will heal after your health care provider has drained the pus out. You may not need an antibiotic.
2. Give antibioticsMRSA is resistant to many antibiotics so it can be difficult to treat. However, there are antibiotics that can treat MRSA and make the infection go away. Your provider may culture your infection and have the lab test the bacteria to find out which antibiotic is best for you. If your provider gives you antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed. Do not stop early, even if you feel better. The last few pills kill the toughest germs. Never take antibiotics without a prescription from your health care provider.3. Reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin or in your noseThis may prevent the spread of MRSA if you have an active infection or if you are a carrier.
To decrease the amount of bacteria on your skin your provider may, for a short period of time:
• Have you shower daily with antibacterial soap
• Prescribe antibiotic pills
• Prescribe antibiotic ointment to put in your nose for several days

Directions for putting ointment in your nose
1. Put 1/4 inch dab of ointment on a cotton swab (Q-tip)
2. Insert the swab as far into your nose as you can tolerate
3. Gently rub the swab on the inside of your nostril
4. Using a new swab repeat with the other nostril
5. Dispose of the swabs
6. Wash your hands

http://www.tpchd.org/files/library/2357adf2a147d1aa.pdf