MRSA carriers near pregnant people

[tinkerbelle]

Hi all. One of my extended family members has just been diagnosed with MRSA. Im in my second trimester of pregnancy and I am quite worried about this as I gather that some of my family members think that this person will be "cured" as soon as the antibiotic treatment has treated the acute infection. - But my understanding is it can still live on the skin and in the nose and people can still be carriers of it even after the acute infection has been treated. My family are all very 'close' in their physical contact with each other (kisses and hugs every time they see each other even with the MRSA infected person) and I just dont want this bug near me or my baby when it is born. What do I do? I cant find any medical info on the net about MRSA and pregnancy or MRSA and newborns to give them. I only know what I know about MRSA through my own training and work in the health field, but my family don't always listen to me on these things...

[Jennifer13]

I would talk to your midwife or doctor about the implications of MRSA while pregnant. I gather it's more of an issue for your newborn if you are infected with MRSA, but you should check with your dr.

Dr Google (never reliable, but at least it's something, in this case it's from the UK NHS) says:

There is no evidence to suggest that carrying MRSA during pregnancy can cause miscarriage or harm the unborn baby... MRSA can cause infection when it gets an opportunity to enter the body, for example through a break in the skin. MRSA infections are most common in people who are already in hospital because people who are ill are more vulnerable to infections.

MRSA infections in pregnant women are rare. If a pregnant woman does become infected with MRSA, her symptoms will be treated. It is possible for an MRSA infection to pass from the mother to the baby during childbirth but this is also rare. It can happen if there is a wound infected with MRSA in her perineum (the area between the vagina and the anus).

If a newborn baby is infected with MRSA, the infection can be treated in hospital in a special care unit.

[teresa]

hi, first of all congratulations. a very exciting time indeed.

MRSA is transferable to people but providing u use standard handwashing practices u should be fine. to be honest, chances are u probably have it but dont know it. i work as a nurse and right up until i went on maternity leave, i was still going into patients cubicles who had MRSA and even a few with VRE. If u dont feel comfortable with people kissing and hugging u while u r pregnant and when baby is born, let them know now. unfortunately u cant stop the spread of MRSA but u can limit your chances slightly. this family member could end up having it for years before they are cleared from it. my MIL is ALWAYS kissing DS and i hate it. but its part of her being a grandma and i have to accept it. there is very little risk to u and your baby but just keep up with regular handwashing and use the anti bacterial hand gel and u should be fine. HTH

[tinkerbelle]

Thanks Teresa and Jennifer. I have tested negative for MRSA myself in the past and am extremely cautious when working with patients - I worked in the UK for two years and didnt even contract it due to my super efficient hygiene practices!. I guess my main worry - is after the birth. At the moment, I can limit the contact with family members myself, but I cant limit my husbands contact with them. But after the birth, how do I avoid things like in-laws not washing hands properly before they touch the baby, or kissing the infected person and then kissing me or the baby or my husband, or washing their hands and then picking or touching their nose and then touching the baby etc etc - I have all these things running through my head... and I am catastrophising it in my head as I just keep imagining all these MRSA infected hands over the baby when its born and keep freaking out... How do you tell in laws politely to wash their hands properly before touching a newborn and to not touch their faces while they are around us... oh man..
OH, and how do you avoid re-infections when the family dont seem to understand the carrier thing...

[teresa]

maybe have a bottle of anti bacterial handwash handy for when people come over and just gently let them know your wishes

[Mak]

Generally the infected site is the issue. If it is in an open wound then all practices relating to the wound would need to be scrupulously clean but other wise there should be little issue. Do you know where the infection is?
It is definitely not being OTT to be concerned especially regarding your baby as MRSA can be so tricky to manage. I would start a dialogue about it now whilst you can gather accurate info and form a game plan on how to deal with it rather than once baby arrives.

[Little Chicken]

Congratulations on bubba!

I know it's hard but I wouldn't worry to much about it. Like Teresa said you may already carry it and not know it and never be affected by it. I have worked in neonates for close to nine years and have never seen an MRSA infection in an infant or heard of one in a post partum mum. Just remind people that it is hospital policy that they must wash their hands or rub them with alcohol gel before they touch the baby, I find most people will comply with that, and you can buy good quality sanitising hand gel in chemists now.

[tinkerbelle]

On this topic as well. I have had the worst luck in this pregnancy - I have had recent exposures to cold sores (which I have no immunity to), flu, a person with a stubborn chest infection and potential exposure to MRSA - I am so over sick people who seem to be out to infect me at the moment!!!! Anyone know of any safe supplements you can take in pregnancy to boost immunity?? My naturopath has me on extra zinc, extra vitamin C, and lysine for the cold sore exposure - but with the amount of infections Ive been near now, I am worried it wont be enough! Im on strong probiotics so hoping they will help..

[tinkerbelle]

Help, Have just had a pc from the MIL saying the family have decided not to get swabbed for the MRSA as the nurses at our grandma's nursing home said there is nothing to worry about, even for a pregnant person! This seems to contradict everything I have ever heard about this bug???

[Jennifer13]

Perhaps you should say that you realise there isn't really any big concern for you while you're pg - that your real concern is the danger to a newborn (not sure how far along you are). If she understands your fear is for the baby after birth then perhaps she'll change her mind.