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My Girlfriend Mentioned Having Skin MRSA A Couple Years Ago
Question: My girlfriend mentioned having skin MRSA a couple years ago and using a cream that her doctor prescribed for 2 weeks. She didn't say anything about going back to be re-tested after though. Are you supposed to be re-tested? I've noticed occasionally her skin gets itchy in random places on her body but I think this is minor and unrelated. It doesn't look like she has any skin infections or serious health problems. Also, she said her mother has MRSA "but it doesn't affect her." Am I at risk of getting a serious form of MRSA from contact with my girlfriend?
Brief Answer:
Regarding methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have reviewed your query and noted your concern.
MRSA or methicillin resistant staph aureus can cause difficult to treat skin infections. Some people no longer have MRSA after treatment of skin infections whereas others may continue as skin carriers of MRSA without any obvious signs or symptoms but may spread the infection to others. So, if she is a MRSA carrier she may be a source of infection to you.
Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if you need any more assistance.
Regarding methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have reviewed your query and noted your concern.
MRSA or methicillin resistant staph aureus can cause difficult to treat skin infections. Some people no longer have MRSA after treatment of skin infections whereas others may continue as skin carriers of MRSA without any obvious signs or symptoms but may spread the infection to others. So, if she is a MRSA carrier she may be a source of infection to you.
Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if you need any more assistance.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
OK. I find the info about MRSA treatment confusing online. Is two weeks of a topical treatment reasonable, or is treatment supposed to be more like 6 to 8 weeks in order to fully get rid of the infection?
Also, one final question: Is there normally testing after treatment to confirm that the infection is gone?
Brief Answer:
Regarding MRSA
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
The course of treatment would depend on the signs and symptoms and can be longer than the usual 10 days to 2 weeks depending on the clinical response.
Usually, there is no need for any lab test for cure of infection in most provided there are no signs or symptoms of the infection persisting. In other words clinical cure of skin infections with MRSA is the end point to stop treatment.
Though some patients who are carriers (documented by culture of swab) and either develop frequent infections themselves or are a source of infection to others should be documented as eradication of their carrier state after completion of antibiotic course.
take care.
Regarding MRSA
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
The course of treatment would depend on the signs and symptoms and can be longer than the usual 10 days to 2 weeks depending on the clinical response.
Usually, there is no need for any lab test for cure of infection in most provided there are no signs or symptoms of the infection persisting. In other words clinical cure of skin infections with MRSA is the end point to stop treatment.
Though some patients who are carriers (documented by culture of swab) and either develop frequent infections themselves or are a source of infection to others should be documented as eradication of their carrier state after completion of antibiotic course.
take care.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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