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Forum Name: Other infections

Question: Transmission modes of MRSA and VRE?

mahogany - Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:18 pm

My husband was hospitalized due to a pretty severe trauma and has since contracted both MRSA and VRE. I have read through material and searched extensively online and I can not find a clear answer on exactly how they are spread. My main question: Can either be spread by kissing? It is my understanding that once MRSA is contracted, you basically have it for life. How does this affect myself as well as our children? If you know of a informative website that is more in "layman's" terms with information, please direct me there. As you can tell, I have plenty of questions and am simply not getting answers here at the hospital. Thank you in advance for your help.

Dr. Safaa Mahmoud - Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:41 pm

Hello, In general, healthy people are at low risk of getting infected with MRSA or VRE. Risk factors for infection include history of using Antibiotics; underlying diseases or conditions such as Insulin-dependent Diabetes mellitus, skin lesions; invasive procedures e. g Dialysis; urinary catheters; past hospitalization and long hospital stays. People may be carriers(no symptoms) or infected (with symptoms) with these germs. At home healthy individuals are at low risk of catching the infection. Even for hospital visitors, casual contact - like kissing, hugging, and touching - is acceptable. -Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread. - cleaning all the towels and the environment soiled with the patient body fluid. -Notify doctors and other health care personnel that he has this form of resistant strain to take precautions when using procedures that may transmit infection to others. I advise you also to consult the health-care professional in the hospital where he got the infection for more information and Guidelines. Keep us updated.

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