I am really worried that I have golden staoh/msra and that i am going to transmit it and cause someone a lifethreatening illness that could eventuate in death. My father is in a aged care facility and on a recent stay in hospital was found to have golden staph. The doctor said that everyone can carry golden staph from time to time. I went to visit him a few time since on the last visit we were given now contact precautions by the staff. I cleaned my hands when arriving but cannot remember doing so on leaving.

I have read since how serious this can be and I am worried that I may have become colonized by the bacteria even though I have no evidence to suggest it. i have read where it can live in the nose and now I am afraid to rub and touch my nose as I am afraid that I will spread the bacteria to someone vunerable. Would that be possible or would you have to insert your fingers into the nostril where the bacteria is located? Does every one have it in their nose or only those colonized in that area? or is to do with the bacterial count in a particular area? I see lots of people rubbing and touching as well as picking their noses with no intentions of washing their hands, if it was such a risk why wouldn't there be health alerts.

Other members of my family do not seem to be too concerned and said you shouldn't worry unless there is evidence that I may be colonized, but they haven't read what I have read and what the consequences could be if you were carrying it and infected someone unknowingly.

I have always been concerned with hygiene, but now I know this is lurking everywhere I find I am constantly aware and becoming obsessive about it as we are told to constantly wash our hands to avoid it. I am worried I will be somewhere without the facility to wash after I have touched something that could be contaiminated I know you can us e antibacterial wipes or gel but you would also contaminate your purse delving for them. Should I take my families advice and just use normal hygiene procedures as before until proven that I am indeed colonized or should I be over cautious and assume that I may be colonized. Is the rationale behind hand washing to do with reducing overload of bacterial counts? Is infection dependant on bacterial count as well?