momto3innc Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 A friend of mine is has cancer, had surgery,then got an infection and found out today she has mrsa. She is on antibiotics, coming home tomorrow. I am supposed to be going to her house (along with 3 friends) to clean her house on Saturday. One of my friends who I am cleaning with is a nurse and she just said we will wear gloves and wash up thoroughly afterwards. I tend to be a bit of a germophobe and I'm a bit freaked out. Is this a problem? Would you still go? For a bit of context, I don't have the greatest immune system. It's leaps and bounds better than it used to be, but I still tend to catch things slightly easier than others. On the other hand, I would really like to go and help her. thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Nope. Not after our experience with it. Nope. Not with a mask and full body armor. I could simply be ignorant of protective measures honestly. But what after we went through with MRSA, no way would I be scrubbing, risking open cuts while doing so. I'm sure the professionals in health care will come in and say otherwise, but for me - nope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 You probably ran into community MRSA on your last grocery shopping trip, so no. I would not worry about unless you are immune compromised. Wash your hands when you are done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaceful Isle Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 (edited) I wouldn't purposefully go anywhere where I knew there was MRSA. Sure , we could pick it up on a shopping cart, in a public restroom, but still. I guess I would be nervous the whole time and worry the next week, so it wouldn't be worth it to me. You could always help her a different way. Maybe send a wonderful meal along with your friends for her, or buy her flowers to decorate her room and make her a homemade card. Then you could promise to clean in a few weeks when she is over her MRSA. I'm sure she will need help then as well. Edited March 2, 2012 by mommyof4AZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissad2 Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 It wouldn't bother me in the least. I have taken care of many patients with MRSA in the past and I have never had a problem. Just wash your hands thoroughly and you should be just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Nope. I'd offer to drop off food for the cleaning crew, and food for the recovering friend instead. But, no, I would not expose myself to MRSA for anyone outside of immediate family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewellsmommy Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 (edited) I would be ok with it. BUT, I lived with it dripping out of my dd's ears and she was a toddler and neither my dh or I ever had a problem. I figure if I could avoid it then, I must have been doing something right. I took care of a young man with a MRSA skin infection without a problem too, including tending to the open sore. Wear your gear and wash your hands. Shower when you get home and wash/dry those clothes separate from household laundry. ETA: honestly, it really is everywhere. No one contracted an infection from our dd, who, as a toddler, was not exactly cautious. A few of my friends and family were around her regularly and this went on for quite a while. It is an absolute bear to deal with, yes. But, going in prepared you should be fine. I would say otherwise if I thought so. I would rather go clean a house of someone with mrsa then someone with the norovirus (or other stomach bug), to be perfectly honest. Edited March 2, 2012 by jewellsmommy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 I just want to recognize again in the OP opening post she said "germaphobe" + immune system issues. This is a really important statement and sets her apart from a common population such as professional healthcare workers and those without those issues. For what it is worth, those two are deal breakers, and it may be that her friends/comrades in the project are not aware of it. Do they know your thoughts prior to inviting you to help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen A Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Why don't you ask her if she is still contagious/what the MD says about spreading it/where the infection is. I don't think anyone on this board can offer real advice without knowing those details. My husband had MRSA in his blood stream and was on IV antibiotics for a month. He had permission to take the train, go to work, whatever--with no risk to anyone else. You have an opportunity to really bless her--don't let (possibly) incorrect assumptions stop you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whereneverever Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 I would go, no problem. I've worked in health care and MRSA really is everywhere. Wash your hands and don't lick the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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