Kid has MRSA -- Anyone else?

bluejayway

It's been an exhausting week. My DD, who has never even had the flu or an ear infection or diaper rash or anything, somehow got MRSA (and she's not even in daycare or been to any hospitals or anything, so grrrrrr!)

I took my 24-month old DD to the doctor on Monday for what looked like a pimple in her diaper area. I thought it was diaper rash, but then it suddenly caused the area to swell, and I was worried. Doctor sent us immediately to the hospital to get it drained and start IV antibiotics. It was a horrible time in the hospital. DD would not hold still for anything (understandably) and had to have general anesthesia, so couldn't eat or drink anything for 8 hours before. Ugh. Just horrible.

Anyway, things went as well as they could've, and we went home and she's on antibiotics now. And today, the doctor called to say her test results came back confirming it is MRSA. I'm totally heartbroken. From what I know of MRSA, it is not only dangerous, but a pain in the arse to keep at bay. I also have a 6-month-old DD and I'm worried sick about both of them.

Does anyone have any experience with this? If so, did it keep coming back for your LO after antibiotics cleared up the initial outbreak? I've done everything I can so far...keeping them separate for bathing, stocked up on hand sanitizers and Dial, disinfecting surfaces, bleaching and hot-washing towels. But, it seems like there's only so much you can do. Tell me things are going to be ok??

eilatan&nhoj88

My dh got MRSA from work and became a carrier. He has so many scars from it and because he's a carrier, even when he didn't break out he passed it on to our infant son. They say it's carried in the nose and can sometimes be prevented by putting neosporin in your nose daily. My baby has had staff three times. They won't test its so I don't know if its just staff or developed into MRSA. The last time he had it the antibiotics no longer worked and they had to switch him to a stronger meds and he had to take it more times per day. It bugs me that my poor baby suffers then has these purple scars. The doctor can't believe my toddler and I never got it, but my infant does has very sensitive skin. Everyone carries staff on their skin and some carry it in their noses and spread it easily. I'm about as OCD as it gets so there's not really much else we can do. I hope your Lo gets to feeling better soon.

hillek5

I don't have experience with MRSA as far as DS or our family having it, but I have tons of experience with it as a pediatric RN.  Community-acquired MRSA (what your LO has) has become an increasingly prevalent infection in the last decade or so.  Many people have become carriers without knowing it, and many people (especially immune-compromised, such as children) have had infections needing medical treatment. 

The best thing for infection prevention is good handwashing.  Be sure that you and your family are practicing good handwashing techniques--frequently during the day, after blowing noses, after using the bathroom and diaper changes, before eating, etc.  While this won't help prevent all staph infections, it's a huge deterrent to most.  In addition, I'd try to wash toys and bedding frequently.  It's a sure bet that your youngest has already been exposed, so I wouldn't say that keeping them separated is necessary (but keeping them separate for bathing while your older LO has an active infection is helpful).  Also, make sure not to share items that come in direct contact, such as bar soaps, towels, washcloths, toothbrushes, etc.

Many children have one episode of MRSA and then have no other problems with it.  Many others have frequent infections and need frequent medical intervention.  However, good handwashing and good hygiene go a long way towards keeping MRSA at bay.  Frequent diaper changes (to ward off diaper rash and keep the area dry--moist areas are prone to skin breakdown, making them more vulnerable to MRSA), regular bathing, frequent washing of towels and bedding, and good handwashing go a long way to prevent further infections.

Aside from that, just keep your eyes open for signs of infection.  Prompt medical attention when sores apprear is often very helpful in preventing more serious infections needing more aggressive care. If your LO or any one else in your family shows further signs of infection, I would talk to your pedi about treating everyone with antibiotics, even if you're not showing symptoms (typically with ointment in the nose--like PP mentioned). 

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.  MRSA can be a pain, not to mention scary stuff.  Good luck, and HTH!

Abinormal

I will get back to you once I get DD down for her nap, but my daughter had MRSA exactly like your daughter. It was in the diaper region and had to be surgically drained. I'll elaborate in a bit.

Abinormal

Ok, I'm back. DD had a boil on her upper right buttock. Like you, I first thought it was a pimple, but within a couple days it had swollen, was warm to the touch, red around the area and painful enough that DD was sitting in different positions to keep pressure off the area. I took DD to the doctor on a Monday morning and they lanced the boil (this was horrible since they couldn't numb the area, so we had to hold her down), drained as much puss as possible and then covered the area. The pedi told us she was 99% sure that it was staph, but that they'd check it for MRSA and let us know the results ASAP. She also told us that there was a strong possibility that we'd end up having it surgically drained.

Fast forward to Wednesday morning and I knew for a fact that we would have to have it surgically drained. Instead of the area looking better, it had swollen to twice it's originally size and seemed to be extremely tender. The pedi had told us to come in first thing Wednesday morning and not to give DD anything to eat or drink prior to coming in. Wednesday morning, the PA took one look at DD's wound and had us at the surgeon's office within the hour. By that time it was 9 AM and DD had not had anything to eat or drink. By the time we finished with the surgical consult and had a time for surgery, it was 11 AM. By the time she had her surgery and could eat, it was 4 PM. DD was a trooper, she would complain she was hungry/thirsty, but she never once threw a fit about not being able to eat/drink. I think it helped that I also didn't eat or drink anything until she was allowed to eat and drink.

Anyway, DD's surgeon put a drain into the wound, so for ten days we had to bathe/soak DD 3 times a day and after every poopy diaper. We had to wash the area with antibacterial soap and redress the wound after every bath/poopy diaper. She couldn't go to daycare or be around any other small children for that entire time period, but that was more for her health than the risk of spreading the infection. Since the wound was covered by a bandage, plus her diaper, it was pretty much a guarantee that nobody would come in contact with the infected area.

We found out it was MRSA, so we sanitized the house, towels and bedding. We used a prescription strength antibacterial soap (what surgeons use to wash before surgery), we washed hands ALL THE TIME, we put a prescription strength antibiotic creme in our noses, DD's nose and our nieces (who lived with us) noses 1-2 times a day and DD's wound also got doused with the antibiotic creme at every bandage change.

DD was on antibiotics, but the surgeon said that once the wound had been drained and with the temporary drain in place, the antibiotics weren't really needed. However, he did tell us to go ahead and finish out the course, just because it would help in the healing process.

This all happened back in late January. At first, I felt incredibly guilty that DD had contracted MRSA, but I've actually since met several people who's children have also had MRSA. DD has also not shown a single sign of getting another MRSA infection. The doctor warned us that she would now be more susceptible to MRSA, so we're just careful about hand washing and all open wounds get the antibiotic creme and are kept covered. I don't know where DD's MRSA came from. None of the other children at her daycare were infected or became infected (thankfully) and nobody around us has had MRSA. Staph lives everywhere. It's just one of those things. You can take all the precautions in the world and it's still possible to get an infection. I am just grateful that we were fortunate and, so far, it seems to be a one time issue. I am also grateful that it was all a skin surface infection and that the MRSA did not get into DD's bloodstream.  

Oh, one more thing, DH and I do let any new doctors know that DD has had a MRSA infection. Since she is now more susceptible to staph, we feel it's important for medical professionals who come into contact with DD, take extra precautions to protect her from staph. 

bluejayway

Thank you for the details, Abinormal.

Your poor DD, having to have it lanced with no anesthetic! It sounds like you have handled it all quite well though.

I just found out today that though DD's swab from the infected area came back as MRSA, the nasal swab did not. The pediatrician told me this is good news, as she is not a "carrier" in the sense that she can spread it easily. We are sincerely hoping that once this wound heals, it is the end of it.

bluejayway

hillek5:

I don't have experience with MRSA as far as DS or our family having it, but I have tons of experience with it as a pediatric RN.nbsp; Communityacquired MRSA what your LO has has become an increasingly prevalent infection in the last decade or so.nbsp; Many people have become carriers without knowing it, and many peoplenbsp;especially immunecompromised, such as children have had infections needing medical treatment.nbsp;
The best thing for infection prevention is good handwashing.nbsp; Be sure that you and your family are practicing good handwashing techniquesfrequently during the day, after blowing noses, after using the bathroom and diaper changes, before eating, etc.nbsp; While this won't help prevent all staph infections, it's a huge deterrent to most.nbsp; In addition, I'd try to wash toys and bedding frequently.nbsp; It's a sure bet that your youngest has already been exposed, so I wouldn't say that keeping them separated is necessary but keeping them separate for bathing while your older LO has an active infection is helpful.nbsp; Also, make sure not to share items that come in direct contact, such as bar soaps, towels, washcloths,nbsp;toothbrushes, etc.
Many children have one episode of MRSA and then have no other problems with it.nbsp; Many others have frequent infections and need frequent medical intervention.nbsp; However, good handwashing and good hygiene go a long way towards keeping MRSA at bay.nbsp; Frequent diaper changes to ward off diaper rash and keep the area drymoist areas are prone to skin breakdown, making them morenbsp;vulnerable to MRSA, regular bathing, frequent washing of towels and bedding, and good handwashing go a long way to prevent further infections.
Aside from that, just keep your eyes open for signs of infection.nbsp; Prompt medical attention when sores apprear is often very helpful in preventing more serious infections needing more aggressive care. If your LO or any one else in your family shows further signs of infection, I would talk to your pedi about treating everyone with antibiotics, even ifnbsp;you're not showing symptomsnbsp;typically withnbsp;ointment in the noselike PP mentioned.nbsp;
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.nbsp; MRSA can be a pain, not to mention scary stuff.nbsp; Good luck, and HTH!

We are certainly down with the hand washing! I've always washed DD's hands frequently, but now I am going to be even more vigilant. This thing is no joke!