Monday, October 29, 2007

Infection Precautions

The recent news regarding MRSA infections caught my attention. The thought of not being able to protect my children from this is difficult to consider. After some research, it seems the best protection from this and other life-threatening infections is prevention. I have compiled a list of steps to take to minimize the risk of infection. I'm sharing it here for your benefit and the benefit of my family.
  • Wash your hands often, especially when exposed to someone with an infection or when you touch objects that may be contaminated. Wash thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.


  • Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered until healed. If a sore or cut becomes red, oozes, causes pain or isn't healing, see a doctor.


  • Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.


  • Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sports equipment, razors, water bottles, etc.


  • Shower after any contact sports or after working out in a public facility and change into clean clothes.


  • Children who have draining wounds that cannot easily be contained by dressings should be excused from sports participation and in some cases should be kept home from school until the draining stops or can be easily contained, particularly if MRSA infection is known or suspected.


  • Don't insist on antibiotics for colds or other viruses.


  • If prescribed antibiotics, take all the pills, even if you feel better before they are all gone.


An ounce of prevention...

2 comments:

Maggie said...

"Don't insist on antibiotics for colds or other viruses.


If prescribed antibiotics, take all the pills, even if you feel better before they are all gone."

Those deserve repeating. I'd also add "Don't TELL your doctor when you need an antibiotic. Just because you had the same thing happen three years ago with that tingling in your ear and it turned into a sinus infection doesn't mean that your ear tingling means you have another sinus infection. Don't take them until you need them...don't take "preventive antibiotics".

sooz said...

I agree 100%, Maggie! My mom is from a generation that thinks if it hurts, itches or runs, you need antibiotics. I can't count the number of loving disagreements we had over the whole antibiotic thing!