Staph infections????

Ok here is what happened to me this week and I need some feedback about this so feel free to share your thoughts.

I am involved in a community social group. We do different things within our community, donate needed items, raise money and giggle a lot. It's usually a lot of fun. We meet at a different home each month. The woman who was hosting the meeting announced at the end of the meeting that she had contacted a staph infection and was under treatment for it with some pretty strong antibiotics! I was stunned to say the very least. I was at a loss for words. A few friends looked at me and asked very quietly... "don't you have a low resistance to bugs and infections?" Yes, I do I replied. I then made some excuse about being tired and departed quickly. I did not make a big deal out of it, but my goodness, if I were sick even with a rash I would give people the option of visiting me or not, or postpone the meeting for a week or two.
My questions is; Am I wrong in thinking this way? I don't want to expose myself to an infection like that or any other avoidable illness. I wish she would have told me before.
Pacergirl

8 Comments

oh dear susie

by jessie - 2009-09-11 01:09:05

staph infections are hard to shake as you know so thanks a lot lady. i myself have picked up an infection which has left my vocal cords inflammed tho john is happy about that. i am on strong antibiotics and a week of prednisone. he knows me well and i have a hard time shaking things so for seven days prednisone. i am so happy i have him. he is a very nice man and lebanese and he drives and does locum at our e.r. from london one of the bigger cities. he doesn't mess around. so i have decided to avoid crowds for the winter. even in florida when we go we are friends with a few but don't socialize at night. we mainly use the pool and walk and watch t.v. and go for a shopping spree. so i intend not to be out as mauch except in my yard to read and enjoy a white wine. i am a bit paranoid now of bugs. to make you laugh but you may see me wearing a mask hugs jessie

susie

by jessie - 2009-09-11 01:09:29

okay i should have mentioned the mrsa. of course. well she is on meds but really. not very thoughtful. i have a bad laryngitis and a chest infection again. yipee. we are staying close to home. we do have to be very careful us pacers and icd'ers. hve fun in vegas. my husband has a surprize for me in november. he is taking me. yippee. hugs love,jessie

NOT AT ALL

by pete - 2009-09-11 03:09:37

Everybody has the right to feel as comfortable in any situation as possible. You did the right thing by being as diplomatic as possible and using an excuse for your departure from the meeting of your group. There are risks everywhere and you cant avoid them all but there is nothing wrong in trying to keep yourself as safe as possible. Pacemaker patients do need to take extra care of themselves dont they? Cheers Peter

what kind

by Tracey_E - 2009-09-11 07:09:45

As long as she's not contagious, I don't think she did anything wrong. There are different kinds of staph infection and most of them are not going to be passed around by casual contact. My husband had a boil that turned to staph and had to be treated. It didn't keep him out of work and I wasn't worried about catching it because I would have had to touch it then touch an open wound to get infected. So sharing a towel would have been stupid but living with him in itself was harmless.

http://www.medicinenet.com/staph_infection/article.htm

MRSA infection

by pacergirl - 2009-09-11 08:09:41

Hi, thanks for taking time to comment. I really appreciate it. The infection she has is MRSA and she got it at the hospital where she works. It seems to be the strain that is very resistant to antibiotics.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Now we are off to Vegas this morning so I won't be able to respond for awhile. I'm not taking the laptop. This is hubby time... seems he wants to spend some time with me! yippee!

See you all soon,
Pacergirl

p.s. so far no signs of any infections.... Thank goodness

staph infections

by dottodot - 2009-09-11 08:09:49

Most of us carry staph germs on our skin. This person was being treated but I would tell you good hand washing is the key. It may be more concerning if you had open sores or incisions. Of course I think she should have informed people before hand so they could have made the appropriate decision. She was concerned or wouldn't have mentioned it.

MRSA

by Tracey_E - 2009-09-11 09:09:37

MRSA is the kind that can be resistant to antibiotics. You can only get it from contact, not from the air. Many people carry it and don't know it until they get an outbreak. I don't think you have anything to worry about!

Have a great time in Vegas!!!!

Thought

by Jake93 - 2009-09-11 12:09:25

Sounds like you handled it well, without making a big issue. I know I would prefer to know a head of time.

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

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