subject: How To Manage MRSA During Pregnancy [print this page] The period that a woman is pregnant is one of the most important times of her life by far. Hormones are at their peak, and immunity becomes very much an issue. This is mostly due to the gestation of the fetus, and stress placed upon the mother's body. One of the gravest issues facing women nowadays is exposure to, or infection by, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) especially during hospital visits. In one study conducted, there was a significant increase in the numbers of pregnant women afflicted with MRSA.
The numbers are definitely telling, in the study that was conducted in the first half of 2004 that was published in the Journal Watch General Medicine in September of 2005. Of a total of 17 were diagnosed with MRSA. Half of the women contracted the infection in the second trimester and 18% only had it after delivery. Nearly all or 96% had skin or soft tissue infection and more than 60% had treatment while in the hospital. The study indicated that the infection was multiparous and occurred mostly with those who had undergone cesarean delivery.
Out f the infectious bacteria obtained from the eighteen women, the drugs rifampicin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin yielded the most positive results in its cure. 96% were cured by gentamicin and 88% were sensitive to tetracycline while 83% were sensitive to levofloxacin. Twenty years ago these MRSA strains could easily be managed with the drugs aforementioned. But the staph infection super bug MRSA is quickly evolving itself and therefore becoming resistant to even the strongest doses of the strongest antibiotics. Dosages for these drugs that were prescribed ten years ago are no longer effective toward today's strain of MRSA.
The problem that arises is if the antibiotic medication would have some effect on the fetus if the antibiotic were ingested. The subjects of the test had external infections so there is not much danger to the baby as it develops in the womb. Other studies have shown that MRSA infection does not increase the risk of the baby having birth defects. There are also no known reported cases of MRSA infection causing miscarriages.
The question now is, how to manage MRSA infection during pregnancy. The many antibiotics available for use to combat MRSA infection can be prescribed at any period during the pregnancy. If warranted, antibiotics in the class of penicillin or penicillin derivative can be prescribed for the MRSA infected pregnant woman. These kinds of antibiotics do not appear to cause birth defects or any other problems during pregnancy. The danger though is if the pregnant women are allergic to penicillin or its derivatives. The best way on how to manage MRSA infections during pregnancy is by reaching out to your doctor to see what is the proper course of treatment in this sensitive stage.
The best way on how to manage MRSA infections during pregnancy is through prevention. If there is an individual in your home that has been confirmed to have MRSA infection, avoid handling the personal items of the infected person to prevent being contaminated. Increase the frequency of washing your hands and use disinfectants to ensure protection. Ultimately, proper hygiene and prevention is the best bet on how to manage MRSA infections during pregnancy.
How To Manage MRSA During Pregnancy
By: Linda Allen
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