Is MRSA Infection In The Eye Contagious?

Posted on Wed, 19 Oct 2016

Question: Hi! I have a question about MRSA. My mom has had 3-4 MRSA infections in her life, so I'm not sure if that makes her a carrier or not. Shes had this bump on her eye for a couple of weeks that has not gone away but it was only painful for a few days. One doctor gave her antibiotic cream to put on it and it still didnt go away. This afternoon she went to an eye doctor and he said it was a staph infection deep in her eye and he had to drain it. He didnt say whether or not it was MRSA. My son (22 months old) has been around her multiple times including this morning. Since the bump was not draining at the time he was around her, is he at risk for infection?

Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes,there are chances for him to get infected

Detailed Answer:
Hi my dear,

I am sorry for the health problems your mother is going through.

I understand your son is going around your mother, but he has potential risks to get MRSA especially if he:
- touches the area involved
- touches anything that could be in contact with her skin like towels, clothes, etc even though the abscess is not drained. As she is a chronic carrier, her skin carries the bacteria which can be spread by direct contact.

As the affected area is the eye, there are greater chances for him to get infected. Can cover the affected area with sterile bandage to cut the risk.

Wish fast recovery.
Dr.Sejdini

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Rahul Tawde (2 hours later)

Does being a chronic carrier mean that she always carries MRSA on her skin?
On Thursday she came over and we all sat on my son's bed and now he's slept in the bed which her skin as touched -- she has also held him several times this week and he does have a few minor scrapes.
Im very anxious about it because hes so little and i worry about complications.
What is the incubation period? Once you get MRSA, do you always carry MRSA?

Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following answers to your questions

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

If she is a chronic carrier, it means the bacteria will live always in your skin or nose although no symptoms.

The incubation period is between 1to 10 days for the symptoms to appear from first contact. However, keep in mind that the symptoms do not appear all the time.

Once you get MRSA and completely treated with antibiotics, it doesn't mean you'll be a chronic carrier.

A person can be a carrier up to several weeks after being infected. However, that person cannot spread infection to others all the time or even to develop symptoms.

Although at risk, I do not think your son will develop MRSA.

Hope this answers your questions.
Dr.Sejdini

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T