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How Is MRSA Transmitted?

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Posted on Thu, 17 Jul 2014
Question: My mother has contacted MRSA in the hospital. I have fibromyalgia as well as autoimmune osteoarthritis. Does this count as a weakened immune system? How susceptible am I in contacting this disease? I have been touching her for the last 3 days before she was diagnosed and I am wondering if I will come down with MRSA.
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Answered by Dr. Karen Steinberg (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You might contract MRSA

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thank you for using Healthcare Magic. Anybody who has had the contact you describe is susceptible to contracting MRSA. Once a patient is diagnosed with it, they are usually put on isolation restrictions to prevent such transmission. Where she has the infection may play a part in how likely you are to get it. If it were skin lesions that you touched, and you did not wash your hands afterward, it is more likely. This would be true for people without any immune system problems. Your immune system being off a little with the autoimmune disease could increase your risk. You might want to discuss with your mother's treating physicians this possibility and whether preventative antibiotics would be helpful for you to take. They would be in a better position to know what transmission risk you were exposed to, and what might be done about it. Hope this answers your query. If you have more questions, I would be happy to answer them.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Karen Steinberg

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1981

Answered : 824 Questions

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How Is MRSA Transmitted?

Brief Answer: You might contract MRSA Detailed Answer: Hi, thank you for using Healthcare Magic. Anybody who has had the contact you describe is susceptible to contracting MRSA. Once a patient is diagnosed with it, they are usually put on isolation restrictions to prevent such transmission. Where she has the infection may play a part in how likely you are to get it. If it were skin lesions that you touched, and you did not wash your hands afterward, it is more likely. This would be true for people without any immune system problems. Your immune system being off a little with the autoimmune disease could increase your risk. You might want to discuss with your mother's treating physicians this possibility and whether preventative antibiotics would be helpful for you to take. They would be in a better position to know what transmission risk you were exposed to, and what might be done about it. Hope this answers your query. If you have more questions, I would be happy to answer them.