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What Are The Symptoms Of MRSA Infection?

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Posted on Fri, 17 Jun 2016
Question: I am concerned that my husband has MRSA. What started as a small bump this morning now looks like this. He has had a boil like this before in the same spot a few months ago. He says it's not painful and it's not warm to the touch. He says it is starting to form a head, but it's currently not oozing. Could this be MRSA?
Earlier tonight, my son was in his high chair. I checked the roof of his mouth for a tooth and accidentally scraped the roof of his mouth with my finger nail (he didn't cry but I know it scraped his mouth). About a minute later I went to the restroom and noticed my husband was pressing on the boil on his head. When I came out of the restroom, my husband was touching our son's hands and then my son instantly shoved his hands in his mouth. He also had a paci (same one he's using now -- he's sleeping and it's in his mouth) and it just occurred to me that he could've touched the paci and now he's had that in his mouth for over an hour.
I'm so scared that my son is going to get MRSA in his mouth. What do I need to look out for?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Harish Naik (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Might be folliculitis, apply antibiotic ointment

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome.
I have gone through your query and the pictures.
Based on the pictures I feel it is simple boil or folliculitis ( infection of hair follicles) which has been burst by your husband.

It does not appear to be MRSA, but to confirm you have to go for culture and antibiotic sensitivity of the pus or secretion from the lesion.
We usually do not go for this initially, as it does not look to be MRSA related.

In my clinic I would have asked him to go for hot compress two to three times a day. Avoid picking or scratching the lesion. I would have suggested to apply a topical ointment like mupirocin three times a day for three days. Presently I don't think he needs any oral antibiotics. He can consider taking an analgesic and antiinflammatory agent like ibuprofen.

Regarding your son, don't be scared wash his hand and ask him to rinse his mouth with antiseptic mouth wash. Do not panic he should be fine.

This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor.

I hope this suggestion might be of some help to you. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Harish Naik (8 hours later)
Thank you. That's a relief that it doesnt look like MRSA. The spot actually didnt burst until hours after I took these pictures... it was still a big round lump in these pictures. It bursted in his sleep andNow it's flat and red.
My son is only 1 so i cant give him mouth wash. Is it possible to get MRSA in the mouth?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Harish Naik (15 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Do not worry, it is less likely to be MRSA

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome.
Good to hear from you.
As said earlier, I do not feel it is MRSA, so I don't think you need to worry much.

Regarding your son, I feel you should not be worried. MRSA can be transferred by contact, but depends on the immunity of the person. So I do not feel you should be worried.

I hope this suggestion might be of some help to you. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Take care.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Harish Naik

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2635 Questions

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What Are The Symptoms Of MRSA Infection?

Brief Answer: Might be folliculitis, apply antibiotic ointment Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome. I have gone through your query and the pictures. Based on the pictures I feel it is simple boil or folliculitis ( infection of hair follicles) which has been burst by your husband. It does not appear to be MRSA, but to confirm you have to go for culture and antibiotic sensitivity of the pus or secretion from the lesion. We usually do not go for this initially, as it does not look to be MRSA related. In my clinic I would have asked him to go for hot compress two to three times a day. Avoid picking or scratching the lesion. I would have suggested to apply a topical ointment like mupirocin three times a day for three days. Presently I don't think he needs any oral antibiotics. He can consider taking an analgesic and antiinflammatory agent like ibuprofen. Regarding your son, don't be scared wash his hand and ask him to rinse his mouth with antiseptic mouth wash. Do not panic he should be fine. This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor. I hope this suggestion might be of some help to you. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries. Take care.