MRSA

I just found out my nasal issues are being caused by MRSA! I've been having problems for a couple of months - so much so I've stopped using the nasal pillow masks and have switched to the Wisp (which I really like). I was shocked at first but I do get exposed to a lot of germs in my job (elementary art teacher). I read in this forum I can get something called Control III to disinfect all my equipment but until I can get it delivered I am wondering what I can use that I can buy locally. Does any one have some thoughts for me? I am worried about constantly reinfecting myself. Thanks!

MRSA requires a culture to identify, and an antibiotic to get rid of, and there is a prescription Ointment that is place in the nares of the nose. If you have not seen a doc, then that is where to begin, and I do not know how to tell you how to clean the equipment.

If you have MRSA you then need to be treated by infection diseases physician. The only treatment that I know to treat MRSA is IV injection of vancomycin anti biotic for an hour each day for two weeks.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-i ... n/DR601965

The Staph bacteria do not come from CPAP but being infected from others in the community via skin rub or a cut or at the hospital thru surgery or indwelling catheter, and thus the staph bacteria have a chance to reach the blood stream. Persons with weak immune system are more likely to get it.

Afterwards, most likely, you will be given oral antibiotic capsules to be taken daily for years until tests show that it's gone from your body.

Thanks for your replies! I have had the cultures done and I am being treated by a doctor - two different antibiotics - just started last night. don't know if it is inhabiting anywhere else but my nose. I stared to think about the equipment and wondered what I could do short term until the Control III came.

Chuck the mask and hose you were using in the garbage and buy new ..... MRSA is VERY infectious. A patient that is in the hospital with MRSA is put in an isolation room with strict cleaning protocol.... that's how bad it is.

Thanks, nanwilson, if I chuck my mask out I won't be able to sleep until my replacement comes. All my masks probably have an issue and it is not time to replace them yet via the DME. I can afford to replace my nose piece on the Wisp via the internet but I can't afford the overhaul I think I should do. I have other hoses so I can get rid of the one I'm using now but I'm guessing the old ones are probably infected too. I am going through everything today for a massive cleanup as best I can until I can replace.

I would think soaking in Clorox would be the first place to start, but have no idea if it would kill the MRSA - if you can't sleep without the mask, just don't sleep for a while - you can't be breathing this stuff! If you can't afford it, I have a mask I could send you.

Due to your infection, your doctor should be able to write a letter of
medical necessity to replace your infected hose and mask right away.

tuzacat wrote:Thanks, nanwilson, if I chuck my mask out I won't be able to sleep until my replacement comes. All my masks probably have an issue and it is not time to replace them yet via the DME. I can afford to replace my nose piece on the Wisp via the internet but I can't afford the overhaul I think I should do. I have other hoses so I can get rid of the one I'm using now but I'm guessing the old ones are probably infected too. I am going through everything today for a massive cleanup as best I can until I can replace.

Tuza... If you inform your dme and insurance that you have MRSA in your nose, I am sure they would get you into a new mask pretty damn quick. I would not wait for anything to be mailed to me at this point ...... you will be re-infecting yourself if you use a mask that has touched your nose in any way. What would your dme do if you broke your mask before your replacement time is up ...... replace it of course, this is the same.

Thanks, herefishy! I am going to order some stuff this afternoon after I do more research. I can get a new cushion for the Wisp, pitch the hose, and then clean the rest of my equipment for now. I might have an old tank (pre MRSA) in my pile of parts, too. One of the things that is so interesting to me about all this is I originally went to the dr because my arthritis pain was so out of hand I could barely walk - it had been escalating incredibly and nothing was touching it. The nasal thing was an aside. I read on line that MRSA can cause arthritis! So I am hoping (maybe foolishly) that the treatment for the nasal issues will also help the arthritis. Fingers crossed!

Chunkyfrog, that never occurred to me - I will call the office on Monday and ask - but I do know she will be out of town next week-I don't know if the dr. who is covering for her will deal with it. I'll check.

I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate the people in this forum (and your kind offer, herefishy)! I don't post very often because I have no expertise in this field but I have learned so much. A couple of weeks ago I had my first 0 ahi ever. I would have never known that if Pugsy hadn't told me how to download Encore basic, if I hadn't read all the posts on mouth taping, etc. Again, MUCH APPRECIATION!

Good point, nanwilson! I will have a lot of phone calls to make on Monday!

Since you have to wait the weekend, I would splash some alcohol on/in the parts
after cleaning thoroughly--(grain alcohol,Vodka perhaps, rinsing only with distilled water.
I wouldn't want to breathe isopropyl alcohol.)

Sorry to hear of the MRSA but great news that you discovered the cause of your problems! You've been given some good and some not-so-accurate info here , so I'll offer my $0.02!

Treatment
With any infection, including MRSA infections, the treatment is determined by the severity and type of infection and the susceptibility profile of the organism that is causing the infection. Not all strains of MRSA are susceptible to the same drugs, so when your doctor did the culture, they also did a sensitivity test which told them which antibiotics your particular strain of MRSA is most sensitive to and those are the antibiotics they would have given you. In mild infections in the nares, sometimes a simple bactroban ointment, like purple mentioned, is enough to kill the infection. Usually a combination of oral antibiotics will kill a mild to moderate infection, and some moderate and all severe infections will generally require IV antibiotics.

Preventing Reinfection or Spread of Infection
Surfaces
Disinfectants list the organisms against which they are effective. Any disinfectant that lists staph aureus will kill MRSA on surfaces. MRSA does not require a special disinfectant to kill it on surfaces. (Bleach, Lysol, Pine Sol, etc) You really don't need to throw away your equipment, just clean it properly.

Bleach is effective against MRSA on surfaces but should be prepared in a 10% solution. The solution should be made fresh, mixed with water in a 10% solution, , (straight bleach is actually LESS effective! Go figure!) Check your specific bleach product for kill times and instructions as they vary from brand to brand and product to product. It may be a longer than you would expect! Several minutes perhaps.

Wash first with soap and water to remove any film, then use your selected disinfectant. You may want to consider other areas in addition to your CPAP equipment that might need disinfection as well -- high touch/high contact areas -- faucets, sinks, counter tops, refrigerator handles, door knobs, light switches, alarm clock, phone, remote controls, etc. Bleach may be corrosive to some of these surfaces, metals in particular, so other products may be better for those areas- Lysol, Pine Sol, etc. there are published "kill times" and instructions on all the products (even different brands of bleach!) (Some natural cleaning products with certain essential oils may also be effective if you prefer less toxic alternatives-- I am not knowledgeable about those.) Follow the instructions on the labels.

Your Body
Wash your hands regularly with soap & water (Hand washing really is is the best means of preventing spread of infection)
Carry an alcohol based hand sanitizer with you and use it when you are not able to wash your hands with soap and water.
Avoid touching your nose and face
Don't share towels, razors, personal items, lip balms, etc.

If MRSA is in your nares, it is possible to be spread via airborne means as well. Cover your nose & mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, properly dispose of the tissue and wash your hands immediately afterwards.

I hope this helps!

Blessings,

Kate

I will add to Kate's comments that you need to make sure your bleach solution is fresh. Bleach looses strength over time and if it is a month or two old it won't be the strength listed on the label.

I will repeat that the process involves cleaning first, then sanitizing. Just sanitizing is usually not effective. You need to clean first.

Another home product that can kill MRSA is Hydrogen Peroxide.

It is good that you are paying close attention to this. MRSA can turn into a major problem and it is best to eliminate it as quickly as possible.

I got Staff Infection 10 years ago while having a hip replacement surgery at the local hospital. In my case the bacteria entered my blood stream and also remained on the implant metal body. None of the above "advice" was (is) pertaining to me because the Staff is inside my blood stream and not on my skin. The only physicians who knew how to treat it were Infection Diseases Specialists (those who also treat HIV). Without their treatment I would by gone long ago. In my above post I have summarized my treatment.