How much do you know about MRSA?
I challenge you to take the quiz here and test your knowledge of this resistant bacteria.
The quiz only takes a few minutes to complete.
I’d love to hear how you got on.
Source: MedicineNet.com
Biopsy Report
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Lousy! 45% . . .I didn’t know you could get it in your nose and it can mimic a . .oops giving things away. Very interesting. Scary but interesting.
Well done! Baino
You get 100% from me for responding! 😉
Yep, MRSA does indeed lurk in the nose… an unfortunate consequence for many patients undergoing sinus/nasal surgery. Some 30% of the population carry Staph aureus (non-resistant) in their nose which is generally of no consequence unless it becomes resistant (MRSA)… methicillin resistant Staph aureus.
My first diagnosis of MRSA infection resulted from a nasal swab taken in A&E on admission to hospital. At that stage, I knew very little about MRSA and didn’t realise the significance of having a swab taken. As it turned out, that swab probably saved my life! Infection (following surgery some weeks earlier) was running riot in my head at the time and the doctors were extremely concerned as I was failing to respond to a combination of IV antibiotics. When the swab result confirmed that I was MRSA positive, I was immediately started on the gold star treatment for MRSA, IV Teicoplanin and the infection very quickly receded.
Despite being clear of MRSA infection, I continue to carry Staph aureus in my nose and from time to time, it becomes resistant to antibiotics i.e. MRSA. All attempts to eradicate Staph A from my system have failed.
No need to be scared about MRSA. The more we all educate ourselves about it, the better protected we’ll be re preventing it’s spread.
Steph x
I was below average in the low 70’s but I did ‘learn from my mistakes’! Thanks for this – very informative. Great to see you back on line.
xxx Annb
Cheers! Ann
I spotted this little quiz while surfing to pass the time in bed last week. Now back on my feet but already brewing yet another infection in my head 🙄
I received a 90%. Since I already have had MRSA, I think I have an advantage. I missed the question about how to prevent it from spreading. They wanted just hand washing and hygiene – I thought that avoiding (unnecessary) antibiotics and getting vaccines were important as well, so I guessed ‘All of the above’. I think that if you’re properly vaccinated, only take antibiotics when needed, AND practice good hygiene – that you are less likely to contract or be a carrier for MRSA. I fault the quiz makers for my lack of 100%. 🙂
Rhonda – Hi! Sorry I’m so late in responding and thank you for your comment.
I agree with you about avoiding unnecessary antibiotics but I’m not sure what you mean when you say vaccinations?
I’ve never heard of any vaccination to prevent the spread of MRSA???
Hi Steph,
Sorry to confuse you. It was one of the questions on the quiz. The one I got wrong. I had answered ‘all of the above’ because – in my opinion – you’re less likely to be a carrier or to contract mrsa if you are current on your vaccines (aka – if you have your flu shot, you don’t end up at the hospital… or if you get your tetanus shot, you don’t need to make a trip to urgent care). I’m a big fan of avoiding places that are rife with infection… and swarms of people.
I had answered that question with an ‘all of the above’ and apparently vaccinations don’t rank very high in the quiz-maker’s world. That’s the statement I was making.
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. It helped me answer quite a few questions in the beginning of my mrsa battle. 🙂
Rhonda
Thanks for coming back to clarify.
I totally agree with you that we all owe it to ourselves to do what we can to stay well. I think the quiz was merely trying to point out simple, everyday ways to stop the spread of MRSA.
BTW Thank you for your kind comments re my blog. Having documented my own experience with MRSA, it’s always a bonus to hear that it’s helped someone else! Illness (of any kind) can be a very lonely journey so it’s good to have somewhere to share it.
Cheers!
Hi there! I have been diagnosed with MRSA. The very last test that was done was a pelvic exam, all other tests done were all negative, = have been in bed with severe lower pelvic pain. During the pelvic exam, which I must tell you was worse than giving birth! dr. found what he called suspisious areas in the vaginal area and took biopsy of those areas. He just does not know what is causing so much pain and discomfort. This all started Feb with a UTI, treated but never felt right and ongoing pain and every test you can imagine. So tried oral antibiotic and had adverse reaction; hands went numb, mouth sores so bad tongue was swollen and could not eat drink or even talk, then put on steroids and another antibiotic and another reaction, finally inserted picc line and have been giving myself home infusion of vancomycin for about six weeks so far. I am still having the pain in the pelvic area and I am so tired of being sick and tired. Is there any end to this pain?
Hello LInda and welcome.
I’m sorry to hear of your continuing health problems. However, I’m confused by the information you’ve supplied… I’m surprised to hear that you’re being treating intravenously and long-term with vancomycin (a drug of last resort) and yet have not been given any diagnosis? It’s quite possible that your treatment is actually causing the sickness and tiredness.
I’m not qualified to give medical advice so I would suggest that you seek further medical explanation as to the cause of your pain. Reassurance can work wonders!
Best of luck!
Steph
Hi Linda,
So if I’m understanding you correctly…. you have been diagnosed with MRSA and failed on a couple antibiotics due to reactions and are now on vancomycin, right?! I know that the pelvis is quite different from the sinuses… but with MY diagnosis, antibiotics weren’t enough. I had to do nasal rinses with compounded antibiotics many times per day, there was suctioning and removal of any visible pus at each office visit – which was VERY regular, and there were multiple swabs for samples to send into the lab. Are you seeing an infectious disease specialist, or just a primary care md? If it isn’t infectious disease, you may think about looking into it – especially since you’re 6 weeks into the antibiotics and still having pain.
Also, the bone-weary tiredness lasts for a VERY long time. I’ve been off work since the end of April and I am just barely getting some energy back. I don’t know how much to blame on the infection and how much to blame on the massive dose of antibiotics … but the combination is definitely miserable!! Good luck to you, Linda! I’ll be praying for your speedy recovery!!
~R