According to the Mayo Clinic, MRSA, or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is strain of staph bacteria that has become resistant to antibiotics commonly used to treat infections. Most MRSA infections occur in people in health-care settings including hospitals and nursing homes. But there are incidences of infection in the general population. The bacteria is spread by skin-to-skin contact. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is most prevalent in high school or college wrestlers, child care workers and people living in crowded conditions. There are steps that can be taken, in both your home and the hospital environment, to kill MRSA bacteria.
Killing MRSA bacteria
Wash your hands. The simplest step you can take to kill MRSA bacteria is to wash your hands with soap and hot water after eating, using the bathroom, coughing or sneezing and after being around people you know are ill. The Mayo Clinic recommends you scrub your hands for at least 15 seconds using soap and hot water, dry them off with a towel then use another towel to turn off the faucet. Carry a bottle of hand sanitizer with you that is at least 60 percent alcohol for times when you are not around soap and water.
Clean surfaces that could be contaminated with MRSA with bleach or other disinfectant. Especially in a hospital environment, make sure any surfaces that are touched on a regular basis are cleaned with bleach or disinfectant. Make sure to get door handles, phones, computer keys and light switches. In your home, clean these places often. The bleach will kill the MRSA bacteria.
Wash sheets and towels regularly. If you have an open sore or are in a hospital environment, make sure sheets and towels are changed and washed regularly. Both should be washed in a washing machine set to the hottest water setting. Bleach should also be added to the wash cycle and the items should be dried in a hot dryer. The bleach and hot water will kill any MRSA bacteria.
Keep wounds covered. MRSA bacteria can live in the pus from infected sores, so keep any wounds covered and clean them using soap and hot water or doctor recommended first aid cleaning products. MRSA bacteria can be killed with both soap and hot water or with medical cleaning products.
Visit the doctor. If you suspect you have a MRSA infection, you will need to see a doctor. MRSA bacteria is resistent to many antibiotics, but there are some that can be used. A doctor will need to prescribe the antibiotics. Be sure to take the entire dose or the infection can return.
Tip
Research at The University of Manchester has shown that essential oils like those used in aromatherapy can kill MRSA bacteria. While no clinic trials have been run as of November 2010, the oils could be used to at least cover up bleach smells if they bother you or family members.
References
Writer Bio
Jamie Farber started writing professionally in 2000. Her work has appeared in several newspapers, including "The Grand Rapids Press," "The Advance" and "The Wooster Daily Record," as well as in several local magazines and on various websites. Farber holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from The College of Wooster.
Image Credit
Cleaning materials image by TekinT from Fotolia.com