(c) MRSA Action UK June 2008, reviewed February 2009
MRSA is spread by contact.
These are ways of passing on the bacteria
- Close skin-to-skin contact
- Openings in the skin, like cuts or abrasions
- Contaminated items and surfaces
- Poor hygiene
How can I protect myself and my family from hospital and community acquired infections?
Chances of contracting all types of healthcare associated infections are significantly reduced by maintaining good hand hygiene and not sharing personal items. In shared facilities (for instance, in gyms) it is good practice to use liquid soap and disposable towels, to place a towel on the bench before sitting, and to ensure the facilities are cleaned frequently and that there is good ventilation to the changing room and showers.
Other simple measures are regular bathing and showering, regular changing of linen and underwear, hand washing, avoiding sharing personal items (eg toothbrushes, face cloths, towels, razors) and keeping wounds covered. It is always good practice to maintain appropriate hygiene measures which include proper cleansing and disinfection of cuts and minor wounds. Wounds should be covered with a bandage until healed and you should avoid contact with other peoples' bandages and lesions. If the infection spreads or recurs go to your GP or Accident and Emergency for further investigation and/or treatment. Such spreading infection should not be ignored.
- Wash your hands. Use soap and water and wash thoroughly. Experts suggest that you wash your hands for as long as it takes you to recite the alphabet
- Cover cuts and scrapes with a clean bandage. This will help the wound heal. It will also prevent you from spreading bacteria to other people
- Do not touch other people's wounds or bandages
- Do not share personal items like towels or razors. If you use any shared gym equipment, wipe it down before and after you use it
- Washing laundry at 65 degrees for 10 minutes will kill MRSA and C.diff bacteria. Drying clothes, sheets, and towels in a dryer and ironing helps kill bacteria
- For delicate fabrics and to save on energy washing at 30 degrees or less would require adding antibacterial detergents to the wash cycle
- Always follow the manufacturers instructions regarding your washing machine, clean it out at least once a month with the machine empty and a full load of detergent at the hottest wash cycle
Guidance for patients from the Department of Health on MRSA in the community
NHS Choices guidance on hygiene at home
Protect yourself against germs Why home hygiene matters
You can't kill all the germs in your home but there are some nasty ones you need to protect yourself against.
Good home hygiene can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Find out how to make your home safe from harmful germs.
Further information
Guidelines that have been developed by the Working Party convened on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. Their aim is to provide general practitioners and other community and hospital-based healthcare professionals with pragmatic advice about when to suspect MRSA infection in the community, when and what cultures should be performed and what should be the management options, including the need for hospitalization:
Guidelines for
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 13 March 2008
If you or someone you care about has been affected by a healthcare infection and you wish to discuss this with us, please contact us at info@mrsaactionuk.net
