Have Mercy, MRSA

In honor of Jackie Nelson, my first "full-title" sales manager at Chicago Title from when I was in that industry; I want to help get the word out about MRSA and how it’s impacting our local area.  I was deeply saddened to learn that Jackie lost her husband, Don Nelson, to MRSA a few months ago.   Here is Jackie’s interview by KING5 where she says she shares her story about this deadly bacteria.

MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a staph infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics; it is treatable if properly diagnosed in time.  Once primarily found in hospitals, MRSA is now showing up at local schools and spreads from close contact with infected people.

Here is a short list of things you can do to help protect yourself from staph infections, such as MRSA (from the King County Health Department):

• Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently; lather and rub all surfaces of your hands for at least 10 seconds.    Hand sanitizer containing at least 60% ethyl alcohol can also be used.
• Do not share personal items (e.g. towels, razors, clothing) with other people.
• Clean objects and surfaces that are shared (such as athletic equipment, shopping carts) before you use them.
• Keep cuts and abrasions cleaned and covered until healed.
• Avoid contact with other peoples wounds or materials that may have contacted the wounds.
• If you have a staph infection, contact your health provider immediately.

We’ve been discussing MRSA more often to our teens (who are all in sports).  When I told them about how someone I know lost her husband to this bacteria; it really hit home.   

Jackie, my heart goes out to you and your family.