Online Health Advice > I am a home health care nurse, and I just worked on a ... >

I am a home health care nurse, and I just worked on a case today with a child that had MRSA in his sputum, but the family told me he had 1 negative test result. Only problem is they allowed me to play with the child and encouraged me to allow him to give me "kisses" on my cheek, a few a which landed close to my mouth. So needless to say I am very worried? Should I be?

Optional Information:
Female, Age: 26, Pennsylvania

Already Tried:
research

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Hi Michelle Janine,

Here's an interesting Canadian site on MRSA. It does say that after exposure to someone "colonized" with MRSA, 20 to 60% of the patients in the hospital do develop an infection.

Here's the site:

http://www.ammi.ca/pdf/MRSApositionpaper.pdf

So now, the question is, was the child still "colonized" with MRSA? Or had he completed a course of antibiotics such as Vancomycin and completely recovered?

So, for right now, rather than worry, I'd make sure I did things to boost my immune system, such as take extra Vitamin C and Echinacea, rest, and take plenty of fluids.

Also, as long as you used good handwashing technique, hopefully you got rid of most of the MRSA before you left their house.

If it is of any reassurance, I did know a nurse who got MRSA while working at the hospital where I am employed. She was treated with antibiotics and recovered very successfully.

I hope you were not exposed, and good luck.

Related Answers