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January 2012 Moms
Vent: Feeling sort of bad...Father with MRSA
So my father has MRSA, which his is a life long disease that he has been constantly battling. He is diabetic and constantly has open wounds on his hands from scrapes and what not. He's had it for the last five years and has had numerous episodes in the hospital with open wounds from it.
I talked to my doctor and my mom about concerns with him holding the baby or even visiting the hospital while we are there (fearing not only my baby possibly coming into contact with it, but also other families and babies that are going to be there at the same time). He is not the best at washing his hands or taking care of himself.
I'm not a germ-aphob, but in this case, I'm concerned enough I'm asking my father to refrain from visiting us at the hospital. I feel just horrible doing it, but I feel like it is the only way to lessen the risk to others. I'm buying special hand sanitizer (per my doctors recommendations) for him to use before he holds the baby once we are home. But jeez....I'm so worried already...
Anyone else have to deal with something similar?
Thanks for letting me vent...
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Re: Vent: Feeling sort of bad...Father with MRSA
That's a really good idea! I guess my doctor just kind of said, "Can you ask him to wait until you are home to visit?" My mom tended to agree that was a better idea too. I totally get the cause for concern, but I wasn't sure what would be better. He's been really sick and everything too, so I'm not sure how to handle that with a newborn. I want him to meet his grandson as soon as possible, just concerned for health risks that can be posed to a newborn or others in the hospital.
My dad has MRSA too. (His wounds are on his legs.) My doctor, LO's ped & my dad's doctor all said he could visit the baby. They said to just practice good hand washing & keep the sores covered.
I was freaked out by this at first too, but MRSA is all over the community. It's just scarier when you know someone who has it vs. a random stranger at the store. I think that a gown & gloves in combination with good hand washing will be a good solution. Good luck!
My FIL is currently in the hospital fighting off a C-Diff bacteria infection. C-Diff is similiar to MRSA-once you have it you have it for life, it can flare up at any time, and it's contagious. I was told by his dr not to visit him while he was in the hosptial because his entire room is considered contaminated and they didn't want me or LO getting it. I saw him briefly twice before we spoke w/ the dr, gowing and masking up both times. I saw him again for like 2 minutes before we left last Thursday to come home (in-laws live 4 hours away) and I gowned, masked and gloved. At that point he was still pretty out of it and not lucid. We weren't sure if he'd pull through and I wanted to say my final good-byes in case he didn't pull through. He's regained conciousness/awareness and doesn't remember us being there but he's still not out of the woods.
So, yes, I've delt w/ something similar. I'd say good handwashing is paramount both in hospital and at home. If he does visit in the hospital then a gowning up would be good too (you could ask the nurses for a couple of single use gowns to take home with you for when he visits as well. The worst they can say is "no"). I'd probably also ask him to refrain from touching too many surfaces as well.
I find this interesting...who said he'll have have c-diff for life? I've had c-diff, and while it took months to get diagnosed and ripped my system raw, I can surely tell you that tests prove I don't have it anymore. It ruined my immune system for years, but I have nothing resembling c-diff, nor can I give it to anyone else.
It is extremely dangerous and contagious though.