Hepatitis C Support Group

Since those of us with HCV have to be very particular about preventing infection, I thought I'd share this with you. MRSA is an antibodic resistant staff infection that can be fateful and can effect the skin and lungs (pneumonia). I have been surrounded by everyone in my family getting MRSA skin infections since I started treatment, starting from my parents and now my hubby & son seem to have it and are going to the dr in an hour. I found an over-the-counter skin wash that not only kills MRSA, but it keeps it's effectiveness of killing up to 6 hours on the skin that is great for those infected with MRSA or are in an enviroment at high risk for infection (playing sports, using workout equipment, working in a medical setting, etc.) It is called Hibiclens and there is a towelette that doesn't need water called Hibistat. You can get it at Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy or Rite Aide for $9.99. Just make sure you read the instructions and warnings carefully because there places on the body you can't use it (genitals, near eyes, and away from ears are a few.) the product's website is at http://www.hibigeebies.com/ . It's important to keep any MRSA infected area covered with a sterile bandage to prevent not only infecting other places on your body, but preventing infecting other people. Change the bandage regularly. I also find a 1 cup warm water to 3 tps of sea salt soak (sea salt in more gental on the skin and doesn't burn like other salts) is perfect for helping fight off and clear any skin infection (I haven't gotten MRSA, but I kept getting boils/cysts when I started tx, and this soak helped more than the antibodics).

For those of us who aren't in a setting where we are at risk for this and don't have an active infection, it is still recommeded to wash hands frequently and to use alcohol based hand santizer. It doesn't have a lasting effect, but will kill any MRSA on contact. That's why the other stuff is great to those exposed with MRSA or has a MRSA infection.

Another side note, it's important to never share towels and personal grooming items (which we can't share grooming items anyway lol), to wash sheets and towels frequently with hot water, and to wash bathing surfaces (tubs, sinks) with a bleach based product. MRSA can reside on anyone's skin at any time, and the infection only occurs when there is an opening in the skin the bacteria can creep into. (Be especially careful of keeping open wounds and scratches clean and covered to prevent MRSA infection entering). Someone could have MRSA on them, but not infected with it at any time, so make sure you do these things all of the time to protect yourself. I'd rather see everyone safe than sorry.
Posted on 05/05/08, 02:05 pm