- Drug-resistant bacteria that cause painful and potentially dangerous skin infections are gaining a foothold in the nation's prisons, health officials say. Jails in at least six states have reported outbreaks of drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a strain of the common staph infection that can give its victims pimples, oozing boils, blood infections or pneumonia. Dr. Matthew Kuehnert, an epidemiologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the disease could be in many more jails but it is uncertain how widespread infections have become. Most prisons don't track illnesses well and many infections may be going unnoticed, he said. Until recently, staph infections resistant to antibiotics have been seen almost exclusively in hospitals and nursing homes, where patients weakened by other illnesses are more susceptible. Doctors must use more powerful drugs and in some cases cut away tissue to treat the infections. The staph disease turned up in a Mississippi jail in late 1999, infecting about 60 inmates in 12 months. About 200 cases were reported by jails last year in Texas, 94 in Georgia and seven in Tennessee. In the largest outbreak, more than 1,000 inmates were diagnosed with drug-resistant staph last year in Los Angeles. An outbreak in 2001 of at least 21 cases at the Bucks County Prison in Doylestown, north of Philadelphia, prompted inmates there to sue, claiming they had been kept in unsanitary conditions. The suit, filed in September, said officials did little to halt the spread of the disease, even after a female inmate diagnosed with drug-resistant staph died. County spokesman Ron Watson said there is no proof the death was related to the illness. And he said the number of infections at the prison has dropped to just one since summer, when officials made changes similar to those made by other prisons with outbreaks. They gave all inmates antibacterial soap, eliminated washcloths - which had been damp magnets for germs - and began laundering the clothes and towels of infected prisoners separately, Watson said. Such measures may seem standard, but experts said they can be difficult to employ in jails, which have long been incubators for infectious disease. The American Civil Liberties Union says prisons and health officials must be more vigilant in preventing outbreaks. It has criticized treatment of the Los Angeles prisoners, who were initially told by guards that poisonous spiders were causing the infections. ``I'm sure it is still being misdiagnosed around the country,'' ACLU attorney Ben Wizner said. ``There needs to be a coordinated public health response to this.'' Prisons are not the only places people are contracting drug-resistant staph, which has been occurring in hospitals since about 1980. About 50 cases were reported last year among high school athletes in a Houston suburb, and an outbreak was reported in San Francisco's gay community.

My son caught a staph infection in the Harris County Jail in Houston two years ago. He still has outbreaks of severe boils that have to be treated by a surgeon.

They didn't even allow him to see a doctor.

My uncle had a serious staph infectioon, they had to pretty much skin him and remove all the dead flesh. It was really serious and he almost died, the doc said he couldnt believe he survived it.

Other States Reporting Staph Infections In Prisons
May 7, 2003


Bacterial infections similar to the one that killed an inmate at the Pickaway Correctional Institution and spread to 13 other Ohio prisons have been reported in at least six other states.

Outbreaks involving infections of the drug-resistant staphylococcus bacteria have been reported since 1999 in Mississippi, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, California and Pennsylvania.

Andrea Dean of the state prisons department says the infections probably were spread through illegal tattooing among inmates. It's not known how many prisoners were affected.

The union that represents prison guards questions whether the state is doing enough to eradicate the outbreaks.

The bacterial strain involved in the infections can give victims pimples, oozing boils, blood infections or pneumonia. The bacteria, which are carried on the skin, enter the body through open wounds and the mouth or other openings.

This sounds like MRSA? Are they taking the precautions needed for an MRSA outbreak? Such as contact isolation and treatment with Vancomycin?

I went into the prison this last weekend and my love informed me that they had an out break of M.R.S.A................Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus :hmm:
My mother is a nurse and is trying to help me find info on it to send to him, I have heard of it through my nursing home work but never actually had to work with the patient due to my daughters resistance...Does anyone out there know anymore info on it or have you delt with it through the system??

So far I have found out that it is a form of staph and is passed through infected water, milk or food by the people preparing it...........the net tells me there is NO cure and it slowly kills you??
If anyone knows anything can you post or pm me :help:

I haven't heard of it. Have you searched medscape?
I"m not sure if you can access this unless you join the site, it is free.http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/466141?src=search

To Print: Click your browser's PRINT button.
NOTE: To view the article with Web enhancements, go to:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/466141


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Preventing Nosocomial Spread of MRSA is in Your Hands


Teri Capriotti
Dermatol Nurs 15(6):535-538, 2003. © 2003 Jannetti Publications, Inc.

Posted 01/26/2004
Introduction
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become the scourge of the practices of medicine and nursing, particularly in the hospital setting. Pharmacologic innovations can barely keep pace with the development of drug resistance among strains of bacteria. One of the most troublesome bacterial strains is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA infections can lead to death, predominantly in hospitalized, debilitated patients. Health care providers may be confused about the contagion and transmission of this pathogen. Particularly in hospital settings, nurses must be knowledgeable about the epidemiology of MRSA to prevent its spread. The hardy S. aureus bacterium has developed resistance to every antibiotic in its path, beginning with penicillin 60 years ago.

The Natural History of MRSA
The discovery of penicillin in 1940 dramatically reduced the incidence of bacterial infections around the world. This single antibiotic was effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria for years, until S. aureus developed the ability to produce beta-lactamase, an enzyme that destroys penicillin. S. aureus develops resistance to antibiotics through plasmid-mediated genetic mutations (Chambers, 2001). These mutations confer S. aureus with a remarkable ability to adapt to changing antibiotic environments. The resiliency of S. aureus motivated pharmacologists to create a class of semi-synthetic penicillins that could withstand beta-lactamase. These antibiotics became known as beta-lactam penicillins, with methicillin as the prototype. For years, infections with S. aureus were reliably eradicated with methicillin and its analogs, nafcillin and cloxacillin. However, the resourceful bacterium soon became able to resist these beta-lactam antibiotics, and the first strain of MRSA was identified in 1961. Since the mid-1980s, antibiotic resistance among nosocomial S. aureus isolates has been increasing appreciably.

In addition to methicillin, strains of S. aureus have developed resistance to other antibiotics. MRSA is resistant to cephalosporins, erythromycin, clindamycin (Cleocin®), gentamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim®), and ciprofloxacin (Cipro®). Vancomycin, a glycopeptide antibiotic, was relied upon until recently to eradicate MRSA infection. As expected, strains of vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) have been isolated and are fast becoming a new treatment challenge (Hiramatsu, 2001).


Current Epidemiologic Features of MRSA Infections
MRSA has become a commonly encountered pathogen in the clinical setting. It causes severe morbidity and mortality worldwide, with death rates in patients with MRSA infection ranging from 20% to 50% (Blot, Vandewoude, Hoste, & Colardyn, 2002). MRSA is primarily a nosocomial microbe. Hospital-acquired infections are rising, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs) across the world. In 1992, a large European multi-center research study found that MRSA accounted for 57% of all ICU-acquired S. aureus infections (Vincent et al., 1995). In U.S. hospitals, current estimates of the prevalence of methicillin resistance among S. aureus infections are 40% to 50% (Chambers, 2001; Fridkin & Gaynes, 1999).

Spreading easily from patient to patient, MRSA infection also poses a problem for nursing homes. MRSA has been isolated most often from urinary catheters and gastrostomy tube sites in nursing home patients (Mulhausen, Harrell, Weinberger, Kochersberger, & Feussner, 1996). Patients transferred from long-term care facilities to the hospital often act as nosocomial reservoirs of MRSA. However, the low incidence of MRSA infection in nursing homes indicates that many nursing home residents may be colonized with MRSA and act as carriers. Alarmingly, increasing numbers of community-acquired MRSA infections have been identified for the first time. This is particularly worrisome because infection has occurred in persons with no known predisposing factors (Herold et al., 1998). The increasing spread of MRSA in community settings could pose a public health threat in the near future.

In critically ill patients, MRSA commonly causes bacteremia or pneumonia. Skin, soft tissues, and surgical sites are also classic sites of S. aureus infection. The mortality rates for nosocomial MRSA infections are approximately 50% for bacteremia and 33% for pneumonia (Haddadin, Fappiano, & Lipsett, 2002). Elderly, critically ill patients and those who have endured a prolonged hospital stay are particularly susceptible to MRSA infection. According to Boyce (2001), other risk factors for MRSA infection include:

Debilitated patient in intensive care unit.
Recent exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy.
Presence of a surgical wound or decubitus ulcer.
Presence of invasive dwelling devices: intravenous catheter, urinary catheter, endotracheal/tracheostomy tube, gastrostomy tube.
Physical proximity to a patient colonized or infected with MRSA.


Infected or colonized patients are the major reservoir of MRSA in institutions. Colonized patients carry the MRSA organism in epithelial and mucosal regions without suffering MRSA infection, and patients carry MRSA with no obvious signs of colonization. The carrier state is clinically significant because any surgical intervention or exudative skin condition will predispose the MRSA carrier to MRSA infection. Also, health care personnel unknowingly have contact with carriers of MRSA and transmit the organism to vulnerable patients.

General consensus identifies health care providers as the major mechanism for patient-to-patient transmission of MRSA (Boyce, 2001; Pittet, 2001; Simor, 2001). Physicians, nurses, and visitors misperceive superficial contacts with infected patients as "low risk" for contamination. However, hand contamination with MRSA commonly occurs even during brief or noninvasive patient contact (Afif, Huor, Brassard, & Loo, 2002). The hands of nurses and physicians frequently become transiently colonized with MRSA after examining an infected or colonized patient. Health care providers often transmit the MRSA organism from patient to patient due to inadequate handwashing.

Studies show that under routine hospital practices, health care provider compliance with handwashing protocol between patients is less than 50%. The handwashing technique and duration is also often inadequate (Pittet, Mourouga, & Perneger, 1999; Pittet, 2001). According to surveys, reasons for inadequate compliance include lack of sufficient facilities, lack of time, excessively high patient care load, urgency of care for patients, and dermal irritation from antiseptic soap. A recent study demonstrated that health care personnel compliance with MRSA precautions is low (Afif et al., 2002). MRSA precautions include use of gloves, gowns, and scrupulous hand hygiene for each patient contact. Despite advisory signs posted on patient room doors, the average rate of compliance with MRSA precautions was 28%. There was a general lack of awareness regarding the likelihood of MRSA contamination during superficial contacts with an infected patient (Afif et al., 2002).

Isolates of MRSA have also been found on environmental surfaces, particularly computer keyboards and sink faucets in ICUs. This suggests that sources of environmental contamination are not limited to the patient's belongings or patient's room. Airborne transmission of MRSA is not thought to be a significant route of transmission except in burn units (Simor, 2001).


Infection Control of MRSA
In the past, numerous strategies have been implemented to eradicate colonization in patients who carry MRSA. The anterior nares are the most common site of colonization. Over 40 different nasal decolonization strategies have been tested over the past 60 years to eradicate MRSA in carrier patients. Intranasal administration of mupirocin (Bactroban®) has some efficacy. Although mupirocin ointment can eliminate nasal colonization of MRSA, it cannot eradicate MRSA from every body site in the carrier. Also, MRSA can develop resistance to mupirocin. No single strategy to eradicate the carrier state has proven successful or practical in controlling nosocomial spread of MRSA (Boyce, 2001).

Many investigators contend that limiting spread of MRSA depends on health care personnel using proper hand hygiene practices, contact isolation, and barrier precautions in the clinical setting (Afif et al., 2002; Boyce, 2001; Pittet, 2001; Simor, 2001). Attempts to improve compliance have included increasing the number of accessible sinks, posting reminders and signs on patient rooms and hospital units, and offering educational programs for health care workers. None of these interventions have led to marked improvement in compliance (Pittet, 2001).

A recent study (Pietsch, 2001) compared the effectiveness of three modes of different hand hygiene practice among health care workers:

Handwash using chlorhexidine gluconate (Hibiscrub®); water-based, antiseptic handwashing soap used for 1 minute.
Handrub using ethanol (Sterillium®); waterless, alcohol-based, antiseptic handrub solution used for 30 seconds.
Waterless, alcohol-based antiseptic gel handrub for 30 seconds.


The study showed that repeated handrubbing for 30 seconds with Sterillium was better tolerated than repeated handwashing with the antiseptic soap Hibiscrub during patient care. Some health care workers were required to rub two applications of 3 ml of Sterillium liquid onto the hands for 30 seconds during patient care. Other health care workers were required to wash at a sink with Hibiscrub for 1 minute during patient care. There was greater compliance with the hand hygiene practice using the 30 second Sterillium handrubbing technique compared to the 1 minute handwashing technique with Hibiscrub. Also the 30 second waterless, alcohol-based Sterillium handrub solution achieved a level of bacterial decontamination comparable to the Hibiscrub handwashing technique (Pietsch, 2001). Clearly, the availability of the handrub solution improved hand hygiene practices among health care personnel.

Other studies have confirmed the advantage of waterless, alcohol-based antiseptic handrubs over handwashing with water-based, antiseptic soap (Girou, Loyeau, Legrand, Oppein, & Brun-Buisson, 2002; Lucet et al., 2002). Girou and colleagues (2002) found that health care workers commonly do not spend sufficient time during handwashing to achieve bacterial decontamination of hands. However, health care workers did spend the required 30 seconds using the waterless, alcohol-based antiseptic solutions to achieve bacterial decontamination of their hands.

Investigators find that the alcohol content of the handrub is a particularly important criterion for antimicrobial efficacy. Most waterless, alcohol-based antiseptic handrub solutions have an adequate concentration of alcohol to be microbicidal; however, most handrub antiseptic gels do not. Most hand gels contain 53% to 70% alcohol, which is not an effective concentration against nosocomial pathogens (Kramer, Rudolph, Kampf, & Pittet, 2002). Sterillium is available as a liquid or a gel and contains a high percentage of ethanol. With 85% ethanol, Sterillium gel is bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal, and tuberculocidal. Sterillium gel has a unique spectrum of antimicrobial activity and user acceptability (Kampf, Rudolf, Labadie, & Barrett, 2002).

In addition to hand hygiene, health care workers should be aware that artificial nails increase the risk of transmitting bacteria to patients. Bacterial colony counts on and under artificial nails are greater than the colony counts on natural nails. Artificial nails also frequently cause tears in gloves. Artificial nails place patients at risk of MRSA nosocomial infection and health care workers at risk for MRSA colonization (Toles, 2002).

A common question arises when health care workers use lotions or moisturizers on their hands to reduce the irritation caused by repeated handwashing: Do hand care products impair the effect of hand disinfectants? Experts assert that skin care is important, because cracked, dry skin can be more difficult to disinfect. The damaged skin of chronic dermatitis can act as a reservoir of bacteria. According to the CDC (2003), repeated controlled trials have demonstrated that regular use (for example, twice a day) of hand lotions and creams can prevent and treat irritant contact dermatitis caused by frequent handwashing. However, the CDC asserts that oil-containing skin care products may have deleterious effects on the integrity of rubber gloves and on the efficacy of antiseptic agents. According to Heeg (2001), some skin care products can impair hand disinfection if used immediately after handwashing in patient care situations. Therefore according to Heeg (2001), it is advisable for health care workers to use hand lotions and creams during nonpatient contact times, such as breaks or after work. The schedule for use of hand care products is not well-defined in the guidelines provided by the CDC and requires further research.

Along with handwashing, there are other recommended guidelines to control spread of MRSA (see Table 1).


Treatment of Established MRSA Infection
Once MRSA infection is diagnosed, limited options are available for treatment. Vancomycin (Vancocin®), a glycopeptide antibiotic, is the drug of choice. The oral form of vancomycin is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and not advised for critical illness. The drug should not be given intramuscularly due to severe pain at the injection site. After intravenous administration, serum half-life is 4 to 6 hours in adults. The drug is eliminated by the kidney; 80% to 90% of it appears in the urine within 24 hours. Vancomycin may be inactivated if heparin is administered through the same intravenous line (Haddadin et al., 2002). Another glycopeptide antibiotic, teicoplanin (Targocid®), is available and used primarily in Europe. Currently a new glycopeptide, daptomycin (Cidecin®), is under investigation (Simor, 2001).

Linezolid (Zyvox™), an oxazolidinone antibiotic, inhibits protein synthesis in a broad range of gram-positive bacteria. It is as effective against MRSA as vancomycin. Linezolid has 100% oral bioavailability and is eliminated by the kidneys. Peak plasma levels are reached within 1 to 2 hours after administration (Haddadin et al., 2002).

Quinupristin/dalfopristin (Synercid®) is an antibiotic of the streptogramin class. This antibiotic is a drug combination which inhibits protein synthesis in MRSA bacteria. The drug is quickly metabolized after intravenous administration and eliminated primarily via the biliary tract. It is indicated in MRSA infections which fail to be eradicated by vancomycin (Haddadin et al., 2002).

Treatment options for MRSA infection continue to dwindle as MRSA resistance continues to expand. Prevention is key to control the spread of MRSA infection. Prevention could be as simple as handwashing.


Conclusion
MRSA is a prevalent nosocomial pathogen in U.S. hospitals. The main mode of transmission of MRSA is via hands of health care workers which may have become contaminated by contact with colonized or infected patients. Physicians and nurses often neglect to perform adequate hand hygiene between patients. Availability of waterless, alcohol-based antiseptic handrubs at the bedside can help increase compliance with hand hygiene during patient care. Improving hand hygiene can lead to reduced rates of nosocomial infection.

Once infection has been established, vancomycin is the drug of choice. Because vancomycin resistance is increasing among strains of MRSA, linezolid and quinupristin/ dalfopristin are other treatment options. Because treatment options for MRSA infections are limited, prevention of infection is key. Compliance with strict infection control measures is imperative in the hospital environment.


Tables
Table 1. Standard Precautions to Control Spread of MSRA


Wash hands after contact with patient fluids and contaminated items, whether or not gloves are worn.

Wash hands immediately after gloves are removed between patient contacts.

Wash hands between tasks and procedures on the same patient to prevent cross-contamination of different patient body sites.

Use gloves (clean, nonsterile are adequate) when contacting patient or patient items.

Use clean gloves when touching patient mucous membranes and nonintact skin.

Wear masks and eye protection during procedures that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of patient body fluids.

Wear a gown (clean, nonsterile is adequate) during procedures that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of patient body fluids.

Use single-use disposable equipment; discard in biohazardous waste container.

Ensure that reusable equipment is not used in the care of another patient until it has been appropriately decontaminated.

Assure that patient environment is cleaned daily with antiseptic solution.

Isolate patient in a private room or in room with other patients on MRSA precautions.

If possible, divide patient assignments so that health care personnel are not required to care for both noninfected and infected patients during the same shift.

Dedicate use of stethoscope, thermometer, sphygmomanometer, and bedside commode to the isolated patient or cohort of patients on MRSA precautions.


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2003).

MRSA is a highly dangerous and contagious infection that spreads via any contact. It is carried in the throat, nose, ear canal, underarms and creases like back of legs and elbows. It has become resiliant to antibiotics, but tea-tree oil has proved to keep it at bay and to cut it down if you get it. You may not realize you get it until you have it for some time when you feel ill. It is most dangerous to people with any kind of openwound and every type of protective clothing available should be used by those nursing the patient , who should be kept isolated away from others who donot have it. You can purchase tea-tree oil gargle and creams, soap, shampoo, and the actual oil which can be used on an openwound. When it first started to multiply over here in UK , despite every precaution, it was found to be carried on a simple things like the pens that were used for chart filling for the patients. It spreads and multiplies rapidly and yes people do die from it because in an open wound it literally eats the skin within hours.Sadly it is the cause of antibiotics being used too often and willingly and over hygeine, so antibiotics do not work on it like they do for other infections. Sorry to be so blunt, but you did ask.

littleshadow, thanks I am getting together all I can to send to him as I said I guess it is in a scetion of the prison and some of the guys are freaking out asking questions and I doubt they are getting accurate information......

Hand washing is the best thing. You're doing the right thing by gathering information for him. MRSA is very common is communal living. So is Hep A while you're at it.
BTW, for any of you nurses out there, PM me about travel nursing info if you know any. Thanks.

I just received word from Charles today at Old Folsom in California that they have numerous confirmed cases of MRSA there as well and that the guys are being treated for spider bites, prescribed pain pills and Cipro. One inmate who shall remain nameless, just had a 1x1 inch chunk cut out of his leg at the prison because they couldn't get the infection to stop traveling. I am scared to death over this. They are shipping inmates out of Old Folsom as fast as they can find beds for them because of the change in levels. Today alone, SEVERAL MRSA inmates were traveling via bus to a new location. This disturbs me greatly!
I just sent an email to the Center for Disease Control and I will call them in the morning as well as the US Dept. of Health and Human Services.

I found out Daryl has a staph infection called MRSA I was wondering if anyone knows of any websites that I can go to find info and pictures of what this looks like thanks

Jennifer

www.webmd.com (http://www.webmd.com) is great for everything I've ever had a question about!

Here is a link from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) that specifically addresses MRSA - Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. I hope it provides you with the information that you are looking for. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/Aresist/ca_mrsa_public.htm

(http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/Aresist/mrsafaq.htm)

I hope this is the right place to ask this but if it isnt I'm sure one of you nice pto'ers will move it...hehe

My neice's boyfriend who is in the collier county jail (Southwest Florida) thinks he may have Staph (it has been there recently) so I need (if you will) some type of discription or picture something to make him go to a nurse because he refuses...

I know this is poseted in a thread somewhere because I've read it before but I searched and couldn't find anything, my computer time is limited so maybe some of you could help me!
Thanks
Kim

Here is a link to a site I found that has several pictures of Staph. Beware they are pretty graphic.

http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/hardin/md/cdc/staph/

You can also try www.webmd.com they have a lot of useful information on there. I hope your man is ok.

Thanks guys!!!

I just got a letter today from my man & he said that he has a huge knot on his neck & it really hurts. He said that he believes it's staph infection. He stayed in a one dorm for four days a few weeks ago & staph infection was running rampid. He told me that he put in a medical slip today to see the MD. What can they do for it? Does it cause any serious problems? Do you have any idea how long it could take for him to get in to see anyone? He's in Brandshaw in Henderson, Tx. Thank you. Sarah

Staph usually shows up like a boil, with a knot, which is red and usually warm. They won't lance it but will probably put him some antibiotics, it is very contagious please tell him to make sure he washes his hands after touching it as he could spread it, it is hard telling how long it will take to get him in because of the holidays. Hope this helps.

offenderlover, RN

Just a thought!! With staf infections being so rampant in the Prison systems why dont they put the antibacterial hand sanitizers all around in areas for inmates to use when soap and water are not available?? I've noticed the recommendations at the local medical clinic where I live. They even have bottles of it placed through out the Doctors office for patients to use. Seems like this could help???

If you go over to the San Quentin State Prison site, and look through the threads you should be able to access lot's of information on Staph Infection. I
myself contracted Staph while a inmate at San Quentin, and thanks to the help
of my wife, god bless her, she was able to get the help that I needed by contacting the Medical Unit for Reception. Yes it starts out as a boil, like a huge
pimple, best to get medical attention immediatley if all possible, as it can kill you
if it got into your bloodstream. San Quentin was saying it was a "spider bite",
but when homegirl came to visit me one day ( we had non contact visits, behind
the glass) I showed her what it was, and she said Staph, that it wasn't a spider
bite. I took a razor and lanced it, there was alot of pus and blood from the site,
when I finally got to see a doctor at the prison, I had a 6 inch tunnel below the
skin. They had to clean it out and then pack the area with guaze. It was very
painful. The first ones that I got were on my butt cheek. I then got two more
on my chest, and one on my leg. I was placed on 4 weeks the first time on MRSA antiboctics, it took for ever for it to heal. And it left ugly horrible scars.
When I got out Homegirl took me to the doctor where they once again cleaned it, and dressed it on my chest, by placing guaze with antiboctic cream into the holes on my chest. That's one thing about prisons they are
infected with all sorts of horrible dieases. Staph is one of them. Homegirl was
working on a class action suit against the State of California, I don't know
where to go on that one, or how to finish the months and hours that she
did to finish this and get the ball rolling. There are so many prisoners alone here in California Prisons that have been and are currently infected with Staph. Since homegirl's passing my sis in law Bonnie has been working closely
with CDC and homegirls attorneys to make sure that prisons throughout Ca
never have to go with out proper medical attention. Let's just pray that this
comes to light very soon for all inmates throughout the US don't have to go
without the proper medical care that they so rightfully deserve.

Any info wouls be appreciated. Thank you.
Sheila :cool:

Here is a nice and easy to understand explanation.

http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/2109.html

And another.

http://ilil.essortment.com/whatisastaph_rwaf.htm

Hope this helps.

Jenn

:thumbsup: Thank you MrsBenji. I appreciate it.

If you do a search here on PTO you'll find several threads on the topic...

Thank you also Mrsdragon. I appreciate you gal helping me out here.
Sheila

I meant "you gals".

I know if staph infections are not treated they can cause a lot of damage. Some people are "carriers" of the staph bacteria. It is sooo important to take care of any infection. This past summer some people had staph infections and they were mis-diagnosed as having been bit by the brown recluse spider. Both can be life threatening.

What do doctors give to cure a Staph Infection? Do they take antibiotics, give a cream? Anyone know?
Thanks, Sheila

Usually antibiotic pills or cream, depending on where the staph is and the type. Sometimes the antibiotics don't help if the body is immune to the antibiotic that would normally cure it, and then a person has to be hospitalized for an antibiotic that is given as an injection or through IV.

Pauline

Staph (pronounced "staff") is medical quick speak for staphylococcus aureus bacteria. This pesky little bacterium is very common (many people have some living on their skin all the time), but when it enters the human body, usually through an open cut or break in the skin, it can cause infection and trouble anywhere in the body. Staph infections tend to be pus-producing. Common minor (or relatively minor) skin infections caused by staph include:

Folliculitis Infections of hair follicles that cause itchy white pus-filled bumps on the skin (often where people shave or have irritations from skin rubbing against clothes)

Boils
Infections deeper within hair follicles that leave large, frequently red inflammations (often occur on the face or neck)

Sties
Infection of the follicle surrounding the eyelashes, causing a sore red bump in the eyelid

Impetigo
The infection kids often get around their mouths and noses that causes blisters and red scabby skin

Abscesses
Infection characterized by pus and swelling that can occur in the skin and in any other organ.

Staph infection is also the leading culprit behind cases of food poisoning, and can be to blame for larger life threatening conditions, such as Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), pneumonia, bone infections (osteomyelitis), mastitis in nursing mothers, endocarditis (infection of the inside of the heart), and bacteremia (blood infection). People who are otherwise healthy typically do not usually become severely ill from staph infections, but those at special risk, who have weakened immune systems, include:

· persons with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, lung disease, kidney disease, or HIV/AIDS

· people with various skin conditions

· the elderly

· newborns

· people recovering from major surgery

· injection drug users (especially those who reuse needles)

· people whose immune systems are weakened due to steroid use, radiation therapy, cancer treatment, immunosuppressive medications

· women who are breastfeeding

Health care professionals can determine that staph (and not some other bacteria) is the cause of an infection by taking a culture (usually a swab from what looks like a giant Q-tip) from the infected site. Once staph has been diagnosed, the provider will prescribe antibiotics that are known to work on that specific strain of the bacteria. These antibiotics (usually either pills or creams applied to the infected body part) typically kill the bacteria and cure the infection within a week or two.

Hospitals are working to stamp out staph infections, in part because the majority of hospital patients fall into at least one "at-risk" category, but also because drug-resistant strains of staph (versions of the bacteria that aren't killed by one or more of the antibiotics that are commonly used to treat staph infections) are becoming an increasingly common threat. These drug-resistant strains of staph do not cause worse or different infections than non-resistant strains, but they can be much harder to treat because the most common (and easiest to use) antibiotics may not be effective. People with resistant staph infections may require hospitalization to receive antibiotics through an IV or by injection.

Because improper use of antibiotics can help produce resistance to drugs, making future infections much harder to treat, the American Medical Association recommends that patients:

· follow the directions for any prescription exactly

· take all of the medicine prescribed (even if one feels better after only a few days)

· never save old, leftover prescriptions for future use

· never take anyone else's prescription antibiotics

Other preventative measures are careful treatment of all skin conditions, including wound care after trauma or surgery, IV drug users taking precautions when injecting, and people with special risk factors being attentive to early symptoms of staph.



A staph infection or staphyloccal infection is any infection caused by one or more pathogenic species. Most commonly characterized by the formation of abscesses on the skin or in other organs.

Staph infections are common occurences. They can invade any part of the body. A staph infection usually enters the body through an open cut or wound.

The most common staph infections are infected hair follicles, usually producing small white-headed pimples. An injury to the follicle caused by shaving or clothes rubbing against the skin can cause the infection to erupt. Some times the infection shows in the form of a boil. Although boils can occur anywhere on the body, they are most frequently found on the face, neck, buttocks, armpits and inner thighs (near the pubic area), where small hairs can usually be irritated.

bodyOffer(21907) If you get one on the eyelid, it is called a stye. To help prevent boils, use shaving cream and if a cut appears make sure that you keep it clean and dry. Open cuts should always be cleaned properly and covered until healed. Keep clothing from rubbing against infected areas. Women should wear nylons and men should wear t-shirts to prevent injured hair follicles from being further irritated or infected.

Nursing women can develop a staph infection called Mastitis if their breasts are cracked. Menstruating women who use tampons can develop Toxic Shock Syndrome, a type of staph infection that can turn deadly. Overweight individuals that have overlapping skin are also susceptible to staph infections because of skin irritation.

Usually good hygiene can prevent these most common forms of staph infections. Untreated staph infections can spread to the bloodstream, into the bones or into the lungs. When it spreads to the bones the infected joints can swell and permanently stiffen. When it spreads to the lungs pneumonia can occur. When it spreads to the heart, endocarditis can occur causing permanent damage to the heart.

Rarely, staph infections can be ingested with food, usually food that has been sitting out for too long. Foods that have a lot of salt or sugar content can grow staphylococci. The worst offenders are cream and cream filled pastries, salads(like macaroni and potato), ham, pork or highly salted meats. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

Symptoms usually last 1-2 days. This type of staph caused food poisoning is usually easily cured.

Suspect a staph infection if you see any of these signs:

* Pain or severe swelling around a cut or puncture wound on the skin.

* Boils, styes, or small white-headed pimples near or around hair follicles.

* Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin area.

* Sometimes a resistant ear ache or case of strep throat or persisting pneumonia.

* Or if you have eaten any food that has been out of refrigeration too long and you develop food poisoning symptoms.

Doctors and hospitals are well equipped to deal with the most common forms of staph infections. With proper preventative measures and the right treatment a staph infection can be easily cured.

It takes between 10-14 days to cure the common staph infection. Antibiotics, creams and analgesics with bed rest is usually all it takes.



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Sept. 30, 2004 -- Drug-resistant staph infection is spreading across the U.S.

It's called MRSA: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Occasional MRSA outbreaks have been pestering hospitals for years. Now, new and nasty MRSA strains are popping up outside of hospitals - often in otherwise healthy children and adults, according to several reports at this week's 42nd Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America in Boston.

Two bits of good news: The vast majority of MRSA cases are mild skin infections. And while it shrugs off the antibiotics usually used to treat staph, other antibiotics do kill the bug -- at least for the time being.

The bad news is that some of these infections are very serious. The scariest and potentially most life-threatening are the "flesh-eating" bacterial infections doctors call necrotizing fasciitis. There are also deadly cases of pneumonia in people weakened by flu. And sooner or later, experts fear, MRSA will develop resistance to other antibiotics as well.

There's been an "exponential" increase in community MRSA cases over the last couple of years, says Kevin Purcell, MD, PharmD, health-care consultant to Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, and associate professor of pediatrics at TexasA&MCollege of Medicine.

"When we look at our numbers, they are not flattening out," Purcell tells WebMD. "It looks like the percentage of drug-resistant infections as well as the number of cases is increasing: I am not sure where it is going. Our concern is we are going to see more of the invasive kind of infection, whether it's necrotizing fasciitis or pneumonia or whatever."

It's what the CDC calls an emerging disease. Because it's just now raising its head, it's too soon to tell how big a problem it is, says L. Clifford McDonald, MD, medical epidemiologist at the NationalCenter for Infectious Diseases at the CDC.

"There is some level of risk," McDonald tells WebMD. "Once we would have thought the risk of MRSA pneumonia in the community was zero; now we know there is some risk. But we don't yet know the magnitude of that risk."



Flesh-Eating Staph

One of the most frightening infections on earth fortunately is also one of the rarest. It's necrotizing fasciitis (pronounced fash-ee-EYE-tis). It's also known as flesh-eating bacterial infection. Usually it's caused by a strep infection, not staph, notes Loren G. Miller, MD, MPH, of the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLAMedicalCenter.

"It moves faster than most infections," Miller tells WebMD. "It describes one end of the spectrum, where it can march a foot in an hour or two, but those sort of cases are rare. Only a small minority actually move that fast."

Miller's report to the IDSA meeting chronicles 14 cases of necrotizing fasciitis -- MRSA acquired within the community and not in a hospital setting. The 14 cases, all from Los Angeles, were seen in only one year. It's an odd observation because staph -- let alone drug-resistant staph -- very rarely causes this kind of infection.

Fortunately, none of these cases was fatal. Half of the cases were in injection drug users. Alarmingly, four of the cases -- nearly 30% -- were in people with no risk factors or underlying disease.

"The lack of risk factors is a little unusual, but it is hard to say what is unusual for such a rare infection," Miller says. "The scary thing is that four of these patients did not seem to have underlying diseases. So that suggests it can infect normal hosts."

Miller is quick to note that this is a highly uncommon kind of infection. But there are some warning signs to look for.

"Usually this is a skin infection where the pain is out of proportion to what is seen on the skin," he notes. "If someone has a skin infection that's worsening with prescribed therapy, they should seek medical care."

Killer Pneumonia

In what may -- or may not -- be a warning of things to come, doctors in nine states report 17 people came down with MRSA pneumonia during last year's flu season. Five of them -- nearly 30% -- died.

Jeffrey Hageman, MHS, epidemiologist at the NationalCenter for Infectious Diseases of the CDC, revealed details of the CDC's investigation in his IDSA report.

"The median age of these patients is 21 years. Community-acquired pneumonia traditionally affects those over 65," Hageman tells WebMD. "And it affected otherwise healthy people. Only five cases had any underlying disease. Sixteen of the patients were hospitalized, although one of the patients not hospitalized was actually dead on arrival to the hospital. Thirteen cases were admitted to ICU. ... Only one of the cases who died had an underlying medical condition."

The nine states reporting cases were Washington, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, and Maryland. Given the number of people living in these states, 17 cases is not a lot. But ominously, the MRSA strains isolated from the pneumonia patients were identical to the MRSA strains causing skin infections.

"This is the same bug that has caused skin disease among athletes, prisoners, and children from geographically diverse areas of the country," Hageman says. "It is important that if people do get skin infections, or if they feel ill during flu season, they need to seek medical assistance sooner rather than later."



Kids With Boils

Most people who come down with MRSA infections aren't going to have pneumonia or flesh-eating infections. They're going to have skin infections. And a lot of these patients are going to be children, according to Purcell's IDSA report.

In the mid-1990s, kids started showing up at Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, with MRSA skin infections. It was pretty rare, but Purcell's team kept track of them. At first, the annual number of cases could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Then Purcell had to take off his shoes. Now he needs a computer.

"We went from one or two a year, to five or ten, to nearly 500 last year," Purcell says. "And about 90% of cases are in kids with no known risk factors. They don't have any of the chronic diseases you'd usually think of as making a child susceptible to infection. Almost 95% of infections appear as these simple, localized boils that could be treated on outpatient basis. Still, some kids needed hospitalization."

Skin infections are up in his community, Purcell notes -- way up. And because people often carry staph germs in their nasal passages, it's becoming common to see clusters of MRSA in families.

"One kid shows up with a boil, and we treat it, then next month it is the other kid and then the mom and then the uncle," Purcell says. "We are seeing a lot of clusters, and we are having to treat the whole family with intranasal Bactrim to eradicate colonization. That is new."

For this reason, Purcell advises people to tell their doctors if they've had more than one skin infection in the family.

Fighting MRSA

Here's the CDC's advice on how to fight MRSA:

· If you've got an infected wound or pus-filled boil, see your doctor.

· Carefully follow your doctor's advice on how to care for your wound.

· Cover skin infections -- especially those that carry pus -- with clean, dry bandages. Pus from skin infections and infected wounds spread staph to other people.

· If you have a skin infection or infected wound, tell your family and other close contacts to wash their hands often with soap and warm water. Remember to wash properly: Scrub your hands and fingers while saying the alphabet slowly. Don't stop until you get to Z.

· Don't let anyone else share any personal items -- including towels, washcloths, razors, or clothing -- that may have come into contact with your infection. Wash bed linens, towels, and clothing in hot water and laundry detergent. Dry these items in a hot dryer, not on the clothesline.

· If you have MSRA, tell any doctor who treats you that you have an antibiotic-resistant infection.

· If your doctor gives you antibiotics for a skin infection, be alert for signs of treatment failure. If you get any new boils, sores, or new infections, call your doctor. If your fever gets worse -- or if you get a new fever -- call your doctor. If your infection doesn't look a little better after three or four days, call your doctor. Remember to take all your medicine as prescribed, even if you seem to be better. The germs you leave alive today are tomorrow's drug-resistant bugs.





SOURCES: Infectious Diseases Society of America 2004 Annual Meeting, Boston, Sept. 30-Oct. 3, 2004. Jeffrey Hageman, MHS, epidemiologist, NationalCenter for Infectious Diseases, CDC, Atlanta. L. Clifford McDonald, MD, medical epidemiologist, NationalCenter for Infectious Diseases, CDC, Atlanta. Loren G. Miller, MD, MPH, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; assistant professor, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. Kevin Purcell, MD, PharmD, health-care consultant to Driscoll Children's Hospital, Corpus Christi, Texas; associate professor of pediatrics, Texas A&M College of Medicine. CDC.
Info courtesy of WebMD, New England Journal of Medicine and Mrs.Benji

Thanks to everyone that helped answer my question.
Love, Sheila

HELP............I need to know where to go to find the EXACT laws of an inmates rights to medical care in a county facility....Hes got Staph and they are treating him with Peroxide.....He's got Gangrene and his leg is rotting off.....Can anyone help me???? I have spoke with all jail officals including the Sherriff..I have contacted Fox 5 news investigations, Governor's office, County commisioners office and his attorney and am waiting for responce......

NEW STAPH INFECTIONS AT JAIL DROP 50%

The Palm Beach Post; 1/29/2005; MARY McLACHLIN, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

WEST PALM BEACH -- New cases of the dangerous staph infection that plagued Palm Beach County Jail inmates for the past two years dropped by nearly 50 percent after a new company took over the jail's medical care in October.

In July, county health officials had threatened to take legal action against the jail and its former medical contractor, Prison Health Services Inc., if it didn't control the outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA.

The fast-spreading staph causes open sores, is immune to most antibiotics and can progress to life-threatening blood and bone infections if not treated.

In the first nine months of 2004, the jail averaged more than 39 new MRSA cases a month, reaching a high of 55 in July. Health officials were most concerned that the numbers of inmates contracting the infection inside the jail were consistently higher than those coming into jail with it.

Only 19 cases were reported in October, the month St. Louis-based Correctional Medical Services Inc. took over the contract. The number dropped to 16 in November, but jumped to 29 in December, even though the jail population fell to its lowest point all year. Prisoners coming into the jail with lesions accounted for 14 of the cases, but officials say they don't have any clear explanation for what caused the spike.

"What we're more interested in is seeing if the numbers inside the jail have gone up," said Dr. Alina Alonso, health department deputy director. "We can't expect the number ever to get to zero; that would be unrealistic. But if you look back to June through August, we're way down."

Besides afflicting inmates, the infection had spread to attorneys and visitors, leading to a jailwide washdown with bleach in May and orders to disinfect courtroom areas touched by prisoners. But new cases surged during the summer, and Dr. Jean Malecki, the county's chief health officer, said inspectors found serious violations of federal Bureau of Prisons guidelines for dealing with the infection.

The department insisted PHS use sanitation and hygiene procedures to quell the outbreak, including new mattresses, using only liquid soap in common bath areas, no sharing of clothing, towels or sheets, and hotter washing and drying temperatures for laundry.

Alonso says inspectors continue to make unannounced visits to the jail, and CMS appears to be following the procedures. Most important, she said, is that all incoming inmates get thorough examinations, and that all lesions are treated and kept covered. Prisoners also must watch a video on recognizing, reporting and treating MRSA and are constantly reminded to wash their hands.

CMS has hired Dr. Pierre Dorsainvil, a physician who specialized in HIV/AIDS cases for the health department for the past two years, to be medical director at the jail. Dorsainvil, 48, took the job at the beginning of January.

Malecki says the jail will always have MRSA cases, but the overall downward trend is encouraging.

"Sometimes they have 200 people in those holding cells in one night, so you can't ever predict how many will be coming in," she said. "What you want to see is limited transmission in the facility, and that's what's happening."

Staff researcher Lelia Boyd Arnheim contributed to this story.

mary_mclachlin@pbpost.com

2004 cases

New methicillin-resistant staph cases at Palm Beach County Jail in 2004

Month Incoming* Inside** ADP***

Jan. 3 30 1,811
Feb. 1 15 1,877
Mar. 14 19 1,863
Apr. 14 26 1,820
May 7 11 1,781
June 22 27 1,731
July 15 40 1,828
Aug. 19 25 1,874
Sept. 21 26 1,809
Oct. 9 10 1,676
Nov. 6 10 1,633
Dec. 14 15 1,584

Total 111 158 1,774

* Admitted to jail with lesions

** Infected while in jail

*** Average daily population of inmates

Sources: Palm Beach County Health Department, Palm Beach County Jail

Copyright © Palm Beach Newspapers, Inc., 2005

My son caught a staph infection in the Harris County Jail in Houston two years ago. He still has outbreaks of severe boils that have to be treated by a surgeon.

They didn't even allow him to see a doctor.same here got staph in fection in the harris county jail. got out went to see my doctor and got antibiotics.

My husband suffered from Staph when he was in Hempstead County as a 309...he had large boils on him,,,,this was a very serious problem there,,,EVEN the sherrif suffered from it!!! He hasn't had any problems since he got transfered,,,LUCKILY!!!! He was told that it was from the laundry NOT beind washed properly??? Two weeks ago he told me about a guy in Tucker( ???? ) that had been quarentined (spelling???) because he was covered with them (boils).... I had 2 come up on the back of my neck about 3 months ago,,,,took almost 2 months for it to go away...but I couldn't afford to see a doctor so I treated it with what I had.....
Something REALLY NEEDS to be done about this tho,,,I mean there are so many children that visit these prisons,,,includung my own!!!!

Hello, I am a new member, I joined due to a friend that has her husband in...well my friend recently got released, but the reason for this post is the MRSA Staph Infection. I know the serious of this disease. I was in a car accident Dec, 2002 and got mrsa at the hospitial and I fought until Feb.9, 2005 to save my right leg, and I lost the battle. I had to have it amputated. I know that it was the fault of the hospitial because they only treated it for 2 weeks with antibotics. I can truthfully say that since the amputation I have felt better all over except for depression on having to have it amputated. Mrsa will kill U! Please lets do what we can about this deadly disease. ITs bad enough to be incarcerated, they shouldn't also have this worry. Thanks and GOD BLESS U and your love ones.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I've seen more than one person through this because of diabetes. It's quite an adjustment. Better your leg than you life though. I didn't realize until reading these posts that it could start out as a boil. I though a wound got infected. I would problable use goldenseal/echinacea internally and a combination of swedish bitters and my Immunity blend of essential oils externally. Bacteria aren't able to resist natural bacteria busters as well as modern drugs. HMMMM... could it be that the mother nature is more intellegent than humans?

Welcome to PTO. Glad you're here.

My boyfriend is in Pickaway and he said that the staph outbreak there is crazy.

Staph infection is present in New Lisbon Correctional Wisc., my man picked it up last june on his leg, they put him on antibiotics and it had cleared up. Now he has it again! started as a pimple, now a boil. More antibiotics, micocycline. There are others that have it also, I'm concerned with the amount of staph there. There has to be more that can be done with this situation; any suggestions? I agree that they should have hand sanitizer available for inmate use, that is a suggestion from the CDC for help in controling the transfer of the infection. It is running rampant in most prisons and jails, there needs to be more done in the institutions for control of bacteria, especially one as serious as MRSA. Another problem to deal with now, and a potentialy dangerous health issue also.

My Boyfriend was just treated for a staphylococcal infection. I think it is important to remember that Staphylococcal skin infections are exceedingly common because the organisms are nearly always present on the skin.
What concerns me is how our love ones are treated. Gary was put into isolation for 7 days, place on and antibiotic and returned to general population after his boil quit draining. This was his first experience in isolation. Although he was placed in there because of a medical condition, he was treated as if he was being punished. His belongings were taken from him, he could not have any contact with the general population .. a 4'x11' bunk sink and toilet. He could not place a call to me telling that he would not be allowed visitors... (I ended up driving an hour and 1/2 for nothing) he was only allowed 4 sheets of paper and two envelopes but they took his pen away from him until day 6. He has stated that he would be willing to bet that if others had something like a "boil" that they would not seek medical attention because of the way one is treated.... I guess if it is not reported then it does not exist...

staph is treated with antibiotics, usually keflex 500mg 3 times a day. if bad enough it is lanced and packed with dressing changes 1-2 times a day. my son got staph on his neck, it took 3 days for him to see the medic, then 2 more days to placed on antibiotics, after i called the correctional center in spur and threatened them with a law suite. i am a nurse of 12 years and work in a level one trauma center, which most all inmates from surrounding towns are sent to us. i see a lot of this type of infection that could be avoided if treated within reasonalbe time....

My bf was diagnosed with 2 "spider bites" on Monday. One of his roommates has the same "spider bites" also. I dont believe that this is spider bites.. i believe that it is a staph infection. Both infections are on his stomach and tonight when he was on the phone with me one popped and he said he had a hole in his stomach. The other one hurts him real bad. He is on antibiotics twice a day and he doesn't know the name of the medication he is taking. I'm really worried about this condition.. i know the dorms can't be very sanitary and i'm worried about further infection. I'm going for a visit this Sunday and he's going to show me what they are looking like then. Does anyone have any advice on what should i do? Should I call the prison and tell them they need to do further treatment before this gets worst?

Elizabeth, I have the same question,my son called last night & he has a very bad case of athletes feet(if that is what it is). Hes had a sore throat also & put in a request for medical but hasnt been seen. Its hard to know what to do,Im worried about him ...Can someone help with this question...Thanks....Huggz to you all,Brooks mom

I would suggest contacting them to discuss his condition and treatment. Please keep in mind that you will need to have a HIPPA release signed by your loved one in order for the facility to legally discuss his health care with you.



My bf was diagnosed with 2 "spider bites" on Monday. One of his roommates has the same "spider bites" also. I dont believe that this is spider bites.. i believe that it is a staph infection. Both infections are on his stomach and tonight when he was on the phone with me one popped and he said he had a hole in his stomach. The other one hurts him real bad. He is on antibiotics twice a day and he doesn't know the name of the medication he is taking. I'm really worried about this condition.. i know the dorms can't be very sanitary and i'm worried about further infection. I'm going for a visit this Sunday and he's going to show me what they are looking like then. Does anyone have any advice on what should i do? Should I call the prison and tell them they need to do further treatment before this gets worst?

My son is in Florence Federal Facility in Colorado.He has this staph infection and has not been able to get them to help him he asked me to please contact someone that can do something. I dont know what to do but Im worried.Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank-You
Charlene

Have you contacted the facility medical director or deputy superintendent? I would suggest contacting them to discuss his condition and treatment. Please keep in mind that you will need to have a HIPPA release signed by your loved one in order for the facility to legally discuss his health care with you.


My son is in Florence Federal Facility in Colorado.He has this staph infection and has not been able to get them to help him he asked me to please contact someone that can do something. I dont know what to do but Im worried.Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank-You
Charlene

Thank-You Nuro's Wife!!! No I have not contacted either of those but I will. I did contact his case manager today though he said he would let Medical know. I told him they already do know and are not doing a thng about it.
Thanks for the help.

:angry: :confused: :mad: My son has been battling this staph,athletes foot for 6 months.He is treating it his self with commisary meds & powder keeping it dry.It clears up & comes back his medical request are ignored ,finally was sent to medical,they told him he didnt need to see the dr ,that they had his cream next door,he went to pick it up & they said they through it away.What the heck?? So it festered again for 2 more weeks,another request ignored.I called & talked to his counselor nicely he sounded sincere ,he was getting the nurse immediatly.That was 5 days ago,Does anyone know who to contact at the state house???? It is going up his leg.... HELP!!! Brooks mom

Hi ...
I know how you feel...Helpless. What I did tonight was called the prison again and told them I wanted to talk to the Chaplain.He wasnt in he had already gone home.I then asked to talk to the medical unit and they connected me to a man that had personally seen my son today and assured me that they are helping him now.All I can say is keep calling them and dont stop until they can let you know they are doing something for your son.Let them know you are contacting everyone and anyone until your son receives proper medical care.I also contacted the Center For Disease Control,United States Public Health,Dept.Of Health And Human Services and I wont stop until I receive a letter from my son saying hes being taken care of medically. Good Luck to you...
Charlene

Have you contacted the facility medical director or deputy superintendent? I would suggest contacting them to discuss his condition and treatment. Please keep in mind that you will need to have a HIPPA release signed by your loved one in order for the facility to legally discuss his health care with you.

:angry: :confused: :mad: My son has been battling this staph,athletes foot for 6 months.He is treating it his self with commisary meds & powder keeping it dry.It clears up & comes back his medical request are ignored ,finally was sent to medical,they told him he didnt need to see the dr ,that they had his cream next door,he went to pick it up & they said they through it away.What the heck?? So it festered again for 2 more weeks,another request ignored.I called & talked to his counselor nicely he sounded sincere ,he was getting the nurse immediatly.That was 5 days ago,Does anyone know who to contact at the state house???? It is going up his leg.... HELP!!! Brooks mom

Charlene -- I am glad that you got some positive results. The key really is to be the "squeaky wheel" in order to get issues addressed.

Call the Commission on Jail Standards for your state. If Texas 512-463-5505 or www.tcjs.state.tx.us (http://www.tcjs.state.tx.us) to complain. If not Texas look on internest search for your state Commission on Jail Standards. Call and complain and they will look into it pretty quick.

:) Thank you all for your information ,I will call til I get results.:yay: :wave: :wave: Brooks mom

I talked to my son last night & said he was sent to medical friday(they ordered him some cream ),I guess they dont keep antibiotics & meds there? ???Thank God they at least finally seen him.. Anyways Im gonna make some more calls tomorrow...As my son always says keep your chin (or chins) up..Always ,Brooks mom

My friend has a serious staph infection. He was given antibiotics and it still won't go away. Do you think I should call the prison and complain? I heard this can be really serious. Has anyone had any experience/stories about trying to get medical help for an inmate? Will it make the situation worse for him if I start making calls?

I am guessing that due to all the privacy laws they cannot discuss this issue with you. Speak with your friend, he needs to find out if he had cultures, and what antibiotics the staph can be treated with. He can ask to go to the nurse or speak to the prison Dr. If he is armed with some information, in which you can send him in the mail, they might take him more seriously.

Could be a anti-biotic resistant strain of Staph. They have to do the right tests to see which it is and what meds to use. Anyway he can tell you some of that info so you could get a doctor to give a "second opinion", then take further action?

Here is a thread on Staph infection. I hope you can find some answers. http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148450&highlight=staph

OK , I WORKED IN THE MEDICAL DEPT AT A REGIONAL JAIL, CALL, DONT WALK RUN TO THE PHONE AND CALL NOW, THEY ONLY GIVE MEDS AND AD SEC THEM, NO OTHER REAL TREATMENT IS GIVEN, I KNOW OF INMATES LOSING FINGERS, A FOOT, AND A LEG FROM THE KNEE DOWN, BECAUSE NOTHING ELSE WAS DONE ABOUT. FROM BEING ON THE OTHER SIDE I WAS WROTE UP AND ENDED UP BEING FIRED OVER GIVING INMATES, EXTRA BANDAIDES, OINT. , CREAMS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR SORES!!!! SAID I WAS "TOO NICE TO THEM THEY ARE HERE FOR DOING SOMETHIMG WRONG" I TOLD MY BOSS, THAT DOESNT MEAN WE HAVE TO MAKE IT WORSE WE ARE HERE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM !! SHE WROTE ME UP FOR TALKING BACK! B@#%h SHE AND THE OTHER MEDICAL STAFF WERE RIGHT OUT MEAN TO INMATES, AND EVEN WENT AS FAR AS IF THEY DIDNT LIKE THE "CRIME" THEY WERE IN FOR THEY WOULD STOP THE INMATES MEDS!! I HELPED 3 INMATES GET TWO GIRLS FIRED FOR THAT, AND THEIR LAWYERS FILED SUITS, SO THE MEDICAL STAFF ARE NOT ALWAYS DOING ALL THEY CAN TO "HELP" THESE INMATES!!

I will tell you that staph infection is NOOOO fun... I am still taking antibiotics for MRSA Staph infection... This is the kind that is usually found in prisons and it is hard to get rid of.. I have NO idea how I got it.. all i know is I was so sick, high fever, chills, aches, the area where my infection was was huge, red, hot then ended up with a hole in the middle where it started draining.. (my kids called it a volcano) lol.. I can't imagine being locked up and having to deal with that.. Do whatever it takes to try to get through to whoever you have to to get him some help.. They need to do a culture to see if it is MRSA strain as that is the resistant one and only certain antibiotics will help it.. Good luck and I hope he feels better soon..

Lisa!
I am recovering too from the infection you describe. Not sure if it is MRSA but it sound the same. It was treated with Flucloxacilline antibiotics for staphilococcus, 4x a day for 10 days.
It takes longer though to finally disappear, caring4you, but he should make sure the doc gives him the right antibiotics. After a few days the red started disappearing slowly on my leg. It does take a while, almost the 10 days, and now after 3-4 weeks I still have that 'volcano' too!
Good luck!
Abelle

Lisa!
I am recovering too from the infection you describe. Not sure if it is MRSA but it sound the same. It was treated with Flucloxacilline antibiotics for staphilococcus, 4x a day for 10 days.
It takes longer though to finally disappear, caring4you, but he should make sure the doc gives him the right antibiotics. After a few days the red started disappearing slowly on my leg. It does take a while, almost the 10 days, and now after 3-4 weeks I still have that 'volcano' too!
Good luck!
Abelle

It sucks doesn't it!!! I am taking some other kind of antibiotics.. I was taking a penicillin type at first till they got the culture back that said it was MRSA.. and those kind don't work for that.. I have to take them for 2 weeks and they are so strong that they make me really upset to my stomach... If your 'volcano' doesn't close up soon or if you still feel a really hard lump under your skin you should go back adn have them test you for the MRSA kind specifically to make sure that you don't need a differnet antibiotic...

and the bad part about this is that once you get it you are more susceptible to getting it again.. My Dr. told me that if I get another start of a bump like this I need to come in right away to get it looked at. Also, it is very contageous.. I bleached my sheets, my bathtub, toilet seat, etc.. Good luck

Thank you for all your input and suggestions. I will be visiting him this weekend and you have given me experiences to share with him. I will see if he wants me to pursue this with those in charge once I find out what his current condition is. Thank you again so much!!!

Caring, Wish him all the best, and it cannot do much harm to stand up for him when needed!
It is in the best of everyone....
Abelle

My friend has a serious staph infection. He was given antibiotics and it still won't go away. Do you think I should call the prison and complain? I heard this can be really serious. Has anyone had any experience/stories about trying to get medical help for an inmate? Will it make the situation worse for him if I start making calls?

YES!! You should call. Staph infection can be very serious and it is contagious, like one person gets it and more get it. I read about 2 county jail inmates in Kentucky that had been begging to go to the doctor for weeks because they had a staph infection and it got so bad that it "rooted" it one man's hip and he has nerve damage now in his legs. They sued and got $1.5 (I think) million from the state. Any infection unchecked in your body can kill you.

my boyfriend had a staph infection in August and they treated it with antbiotics well it got worse and he ended up in the prison hopital on iv antibiotics for 2 weeks. He lost 15 pounds very serious. CALL CALL CALL

My bf is at Chuckawalla in Blythe,CA. We just got off the phone, and he told me that he has seen at least five people in almost as many days, coming down with Staph infections. He said one guy has a hole in cheek, and another has a hole in his neck. He said that someone from the medical staff told them that this was due to overcrowding and that nothing could be done. Apparently, his supervisors overhead his comment, and he was repremanded and recanted his story. My bf said that everyone walks around with a bottle of antiseptic to use prior to using the bathroom facilities.

They also have air conditioners which were federally funded, that have been there since July, or there abouts, but because of how many inmates are at Chuckawalla (and every where else), they can't install them because they don't know what to do with the inmates. This sounds pretty hokey to me.

Does anyone have information on Staph infections being caused, in part, due to overcrowding?

What can we do, on the outside, to help?

Here is a link to a thread that has more info on staph infection. http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57044&highlight=staph

I do not believe that it is the overcrowding itself that causes the infections; but more so the fact that there are unsanitary conditions in prisons, as well as infected persons who may be untreated moving about the rest of the population which leads to a spread of infections.

Perhaps the local health department or state level health care officials can be of assistance.

How common is it for inmates to get infected by a staph infection? This is a skin infection caused by crowded living conditions and poor hygiene.
My son was sent to the medical ward last night because they detected a staph infection which needs to be treated with antibiotics to prevent spreading.

I searched to see if anyone on here knows any one who has a Loved one in the system who has ever been infected before. The infection looked almost like a spider bite. Very sore and tender. He showers and stays pretty clean, but I am wondering how he could have been infected even though I read how common it is for prisoners to become infected. My son has always been very healthy and now this. If anyone has any information concerning this topic, I would really appreciate learning more from you. Thank you, Jeannie

Well to be honest with you I served fifteen years and never saw one case of it, nor heard of one. But then again I never was in a crowded living situation either. Am kinda curious to her more avout this, but I can say this wherever I went I G.I.'d everything around me starting with everything in my cell before I would move into it, that means walls floors and ceiling, as well as beds and lockers. Hope he gets it under control.

Unfortunately, it is all to common in Texas prisons. Most inmates are not as clean as we would like them to be. To avoid it, you pretty much have to become a germaphobe (sp). They wear shower slides to help protect them in the shower, but it really isn't enough. A lot of inmates never get treatment, unless someone else happens to see it and reports it. For some reason, they do always just assume it is a spider bite that will go away. So then they spread it all over the unit. I would suggest washing hands constantly, as it can be on anywhere. After showers, going back to his cell and rewashing his feet and hands...the two most likely places he could pick it up. Be double vigilant when he has any scratches. Just try to minimize the chances.

Thank you Both for your help. I go to see him today and will follow up on what his case is after he has been in the medical unit. the trustees give him clorex bleech and he seems to use it on everything but I need to stress the washing his hands more often. he has always lived in a very clean enviroment and I can see how he would be more likely to catch something. Just one more thing to worry about.

You need to get him to go ahead and sign a medical release for you to have access to his medical records. Get it out of the way now. That way, if something does come up later down the road, you won't have to fight to get any information...you will already have the release filled out. Just a thought.

My husband got it too. The CA Prison System is full of it!! My hubby is a clean fanatic but still got it! On his head! He does shave his head sometimes which might cause a scratch or whatever. They mis-diagnose it as ingrown hairs (it loves moist warm areas like under arms, crotches,heads), spider bites, pimples, or boils. I'm glad they caught it and diagnosed it properly for your son!!

Oh..I forgot about the haircuts. They have to watch the barber really close. If they get in a hurry, they will not sterilize the blades like they are supposed to.

I do my jailtime on the weekends, and was infected with a staph infection also. At first I thought it was a boil.. but after it spread to various parts of my bottom and crotch area....I thought I needed to check it out and that's what it was. I attend the same unit all the time and a girl that was in there had a staph.. which everyone knew but no-one said anything.... 1 week later, another female that also does weekends got one too. By the third week, that "original infected female" was gone. The occurs mainly in part because people are nasty... and don't wash their hands when using the bathroom, as well as the washing conditions within the jail system. When there is so much sharing of undergarments, sheets, towels etc.... this is basically bound to happen. I had too take 10 days worth of antibiotics... and then wait an additional two weeks for the boils and skin to rejuvinate itself to heal.

My hubby had one, it started out as an boil, well that's what they called it. It's taken 2-3 weeks to start to heal. He used to work out but it's to painful for him. It's in his underarm. Staph runs fairly rapid if it's not stopped fast. Most of the times oral antibiotics tend to not help. Well that depends on the severity of it also. Good luck.

Yeah it is very contagious and painful. Some people have contracted it from surgery and the doctors not using sterilized equipment. That is how my aunt got it and now she cant get rid of it. She has taken all kinds of antibiotics and it will help clear it up but it keeps coming back. Best defense against it is to take all precautionary measures such as shower slides, washing hands frequently, not sharing items with others especially if you see or know that they have it. Simple skin to skin contact can spread it so after shaking someone's hand go wash yours

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, an antibiotic-resistant skin infection of varying severity. This infection has made its way through many jails and prisons throughout the US [and abroad] over the past few years.

The NJ DOC has just added a 25 minute video about the infection on their website. Although the doctor who does most of the talking is about as exciting as watching paint dry on a wall, what he has to say is accurate and overall the video provides valuable information. A few of the state's prisoners are in the video as well and one prisoner who was infected with MRSA is interviewed.
You can download the video [via Media Player or Real Player] by going to the NJ DOC (http://www.state.nj.us/corrections/index.shtml) website.

Unfortunately I am very familiar with this, my father was an
inmate at the Florence complex. He had problems with his hip
and went to the doctor time and time again and was told there
was nothing wrong. He was in agonizing pain, so much so that
he could only lay in bed, this went on for some time, about 6
months. Eventually he saw a Physicians Assistant who finally
realized that he had a severe infection, he was Air lifted
to St. Mary‘s Hospital in Tucson where after 7 months in the
ICU he passed away. (October 2005, exactly a week before
my birthday). Primary cause, as listed on the Death certificate
and the autopsy you guessed it the infection, it had turned
into Sepsis and caused his kidneys and lungs to fail. This may
be an extreme situation but you can see what can happen
if an infection is not treated.

And if that is not bad enough, as he was laying there dying
they still limited our visitation:angry: ....... so f@!#ed up!!!!!!!!

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT KIND OF DISEASE THIS IS? MY BF SAID THAT ALOT OF THE INMATE'S (PUTNAMVILLE) ARE GETTING THIS AND THEY DON'T KNOW HOW! HE JUST CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT HE HAS IT NOW , HE THOUGHT IT WAS A BOIL AND ITS LOCATED ON HIS BUTT. THE NURSES ARE TELLING THEM THAT IT WILL NEVER GO AWAY. IT WILL COME BACK OFF AND ON LIKE IN EPISOPES AND.

MY QUESTION ALSO IS WHY DOC IS NOT EDCUATING THE INMATES ON WHAT TO DO TO KEEP FROM CATCHING IT,

Staph aureus is a bacteria found on the skin that can cause a skin infection, eg boils, pus- filled wounds. If the skin is breached eg. cut or bruised there is always the possiblity of intiducing the bacteria into the skin or worse into the blood. This is usually treated with some type of penicillin or if it is a boil, drainage as well. The problem arises when the staph is resistant to penicillins and other antibiotics have to used. Its pretty contagious and is easy spread in settings like prison, or schools where there is close contact.

It can go away if it is treated with antibiotics and drained, good hygeine is the best way to prevent it. Clean nails and hands. If its just a small boil, a warm compress will do till the area drains by it self.

I agree with the ladies above. Let your man know to wash his hands often. I forget the exact length of time but have him sing the "happy birthday" at a moderate pace and that is the length of time :)

I wasn't clear of the spelling because when he called he spelled it for me. The c/o's has signs up he says that they spell it STAFF that shows you how much they know about the disease. Thank you cranky !:)

no problem, I've seen lots of community acquired staph out there, I"m glad to offer some enlightment. :)

maybe it is MRSA that is spreading. My sister had this and it looked like a spider bite. The doctor treated it as a spider bite three different times and then she went to a different doctor and he diagnosed it as being MRSA.
What is MRSA? Methacillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
A staph infection that is resistant to methacillon. I heard it spreads alot in prisons.

I've heard of a lot of recent cases of MRSA and know of 5 different people, unrelated, who have had it in the past 2 weeks. One of them ended up in the hospital on IV antibiotics.

I had a nasty staph infection earlier in the year and spent 5 days in the hospital for it. I had to have it surgically drained. I was on heavy duty antibotics. I can't think of the names off the top of my head. I have not had an episode since. I know in the prisons this will spread pretty easy since they live in such close quarters. They need to come in and complety disinfect the showers, toilets and sinks. And everone needs to be on antibiotics. MRSA is nothing to just ignore! And I thought it was a spider bite too, but couldn't figure out how it got on my upper inner thigh! I understand that it festers in places like that, the buttocks and under the arms. I guess we don't clean as well as we think! But we all have it on our skin, it just gets infected.

And the happy birthday song is good advice..that and the star spangled banner!

I saw my son last weekend and he had two huge cysts on his jawline, both draining. I had a letter from him today and he has a cyst on his chest, two huge painful cysts in his armpit and an infected toe. He's going to the infirmary twice daily for dressing changes and antibiotics but I'm very worried that he has MRSA. He says they look like spider bites and I don't know if they treat this properly in the unit he is in or what they do to keep it from spreading and returning.

You may want to make a call on that one! Call and speak to the medical department and find out what they do to treat this. I know that when I had MRSA it looked like an infected spider bite and that's what I told the doctor I thought it was when I got in to see him.

Antibiotics are good, but he probably needs more of them.

believenHim.......what unit is your man in? mine is in s.e. texas at the stiles unit. he has'nt mentioned anything like that to me, but i think i will write and tell him whats going on out here, and for him to take extra care in keeping his hands clean, as well as the rest of his body. thanks.......:o

number one son,
My son is in the Clements unit, Amarillo.

thanks, i'll pass that along to him.

I'm a nurse and deal with this stuff in the hospital every day. It's highly contagious, and can be very dangerous. I've seen a few people die from it, but that's rare with proper treatment. MRSA is curable, yes. But it takes several days of heavy duty IV antibiotics to do it. Staph itself is easier, so you have to have it checked by a lab to know for sure which it is. Hygiene is the best prevention, not the easiest thing to do in close quarters like prison is. But the state health department needs to be notified on every case, which I doubt the prison is doing. I would call them and have them investigate.

I'm a nurse and deal with this stuff in the hospital every day. It's highly contagious, and can be very dangerous. I've seen a few people die from it, but that's rare with proper treatment. MRSA is curable, yes. But it takes several days of heavy duty IV antibiotics to do it. Staph itself is easier, so you have to have it checked by a lab to know for sure which it is. Hygiene is the best prevention, not the easiest thing to do in close quarters like prison is. But the state health department needs to be notified on every case, which I doubt the prison is doing. I would call them and have them investigate.


Excellent advice Brat! I know when I was in the hospital with MRSA it was 5 days of 2x a day iv's. It was miserable! I have been an avid handwasher since! The health department most definitly needs to be notified!

Staph is a bacterial infection. If it's not treated with antibiotics it will linger and cause nasty boils and maybe more serious infections of internal organs. They should be giving him a broadspectrum antibiotic to kill the bacteria.

My ex-boyfriend was at Chino in California. He said a lot of people out there had staph infections. He was also in many other California prisons over the last 11 years. He came home a couple of months ago and began giving friends and family tattoos. Five of us that he tattooed got very nasty staph infections near the tattoo site (3) or elsewhere (2). I went on the internet and found some information that indicates you can be a carrier and never have it yourself. Even wearing rubber gloves and cleaning his needles, he could have had it on the gun or another part of the machine, or he could just rub his nose with his gloved hand, and then touch the skin of the person he's tattooing and get the bacteria on it that way, then of course the needle breaks the skin. Apparently, that kind of staph can live happily and harmlessly in a person's nose forever. In each case, the infected person has had to go to the doctor and be treated. I am still waiting to hear if mine was MRSA from my doctor. I also found two articles about groups of people who'd had staph infections, and in one study, all ten people who had NO other risk factors had either been in prison, visited someone in a prison, or had contact with someone who had recently been released from prison. In the other article, 4 girls had been tattooed by the same ex-prisoner in his home and all had gotten it. Just wanted to share this since everyone here probably is in contact with prison or someone in or recently out of prison...:eek:

My ex-husband got staph after being on life support it almost killed him. For some reason I think the DR called it multi resistant staphcoccous(sp). I don't know about boils or anything like that though maybe this is different. Anyways we had to wear masks to see him and he was in isolation in icu. He got it after a mother pregnant with twins died in the same room of the er a day before he was there. He is very lucky to have survived he still has health issues from it. We were told that something must have come into connact from her and then been used with him. A little boy was also treated and he didn't make it.

Hello
I work for hospice and staph can and will kill you if not treated asap. We have so many young people that die from staph. Even a tooth ache can turn into staph if not treated. But I heard alot of people get staph from tattooing so please tell people if they have to have a them please go to tattoo place and that does not mean your can't get from there to it has happen.

Please explain how MRSA is passed. My mother is 85 and had MRSA in her urine three times. I had never heard of it until last October. They found it on a routine screen at a nursing home during a respite stay. She later had it again after coming home I returned her to the hospital for a UTI and it was MRSA. Two months ago she became ill with pneumonia type symptoms and a urine test found MRSA again. Where does this keep coming from?

Here are a couple of links that I found on MRSA. I hope they are helpful

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa.html

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca.html

Staphylococcus is a common skin bacteria, that we all have. There are different types of staph. It can cause boils/absess that look like spider bites some times. Due to over use of antibiotics, staph aureus which is typically treated with penicillins by mouth, some strains have become resistant and now requires special antibiotic IV for bacteremia. It is spread by contact, hence precautions in the hospital and handwashing. Some people are actually colonized with MRSA/ORSA in their nostrils. That doesn't mean you are infected, it grows there and leaves you alone. However, it could become a problem and may predispose to to a bacteremia ( bacteria in the blood) if there are skin breaks( eg. if you have an IV) and your immune status is not the best. Again the best prevention is good hygiene. ORSA and MRSA can also be colonized in nursing home patients esp in the urine. Especially if you have a long term foley catheter. Just because its there doesn't always mean it needs to be treated ( in the urine that is). Keep the skin and your hands clean- these are the best way to help fight infection.

I posted about my staph infection about a month ago. I wanted to put an update here, as i think my experience might be helpful to others. I was part of a group of five people that all got staph infections from one person who tattooed us shortly after he was released from prison at Chino, CA. I am the only person of the group who went to a private doctor and whose staph sores were cultured to see if they were MRSA. And indeed they ARE!:( Further, while i was into the first 7 days of treatment with the antibiotics, i developed a new sore, so i requested another round of the antibiotics and just finished that, so i am happy to say that my sores are finally healed and no longer itch or hurt. :o IN addition, my doctor prescribed antibiotic ointment for the sores AND to put in my nose for 10 days to knock out any staph that might be "living" in my nose. All of the other people who got the staph were treated at various emergency rooms. NOT ONE OF THE ER DOCTORS CULTURED THEIR SORES. So they were all treated with penicillin, and they ALL got their staph back and are still struggling with it. Further, NOT ONE OF THEM was informed by the doctors about the possibility of the staph being in their nose, nor were they given any antibiotic ointment to deal with that or to put on their sores. Not only did they get their staph back, BUT they also, in two cases, passed it on to their toddlers. My kids, who are older and DO NOT share towels with me, never got it, but i also avoided touching them during the time my sores were open, and i washed my hands constantly, too. The two things that I think are most important to note is that if you get something you think is staph, ASSUME it's the MRSA kind and insist that the doctor you see do the same. One way to help do this is to tell the doctor that you have been in contact with someone who has been in a jail or prison where MRSA staph is present. Maybe it's a little embarrassing to admit that, but it's better to get treated right the first time. Also, INSIST on getting the ointment, even if you say you're just gonna put it on the sores, and then put it in your nose. My doctor is MAKING ME go back to take a culture from my nose to make sure we got it all out, but it seems like a lot of doctors don't bother with this. One last note, the guy who tattooed everyone FINALLY actually got a staph sore on his arm, after all of the rest of have been going thru it for ages. Now he is back in county jail, and i urged him to take advantage of that and to get treatment for it while he is there. Here's wishing everyone a STAPH-FREE new year! :o

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone come in contact with a loved one that was diagnosed with MRSA or any other type of staph infection while in jail/prison?? How did it affect your personal health??

I have been away from my fiancé for a while and had dreamt of the day he came home, but recently I have become terrified to know that he may have come in contact with this illness and might bring it home to me and the kids.

Does anyone have stories to share?? I can't think of anything else lately?? I just can't understand how these situations they are put in not only affect them directly but can also affect everyone around them.

Any response is appreciated.

THANKS!!!

My son was diagnosed with MRSA shortly after entering the prison system. It took a while before it was treated seriously, but once it was cultured and they knew what they were dealing with, he received the proper treatment. I saw my son in a contact visit before he received any treatment and told him that I believed it was MRSA and that he needed to see the doctor. He had huge draining cysts along each jawline and a painful cyst in his armpit. My husband and I did not have any problems with MRSA from our contact visit with our son.

Thanks believenhim! I'm really worried about what will happen once he comes home. I do intend to sleep in the same bed as he does. I think this will increase the chances of getting it, and will it be easy for my children to get it?

My sister had it, She caught it in the Hospital.They had to give her intravenous drugs because the pills did'nt work. Her doctor told her to use antibiotic saop. it can be bought in the stores.

Crazeyinlove, I don't think you should be too concerned about the risk of MRSA once he is home. If he has MRSA and is treated with the correct antibiotics, it will take care of the problem. MRSA is a staph infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics so the correct medication would need to be used to treat it. I also had a family member who ended up with it and she was not around the jail or prison system. She did have to be hospitalized and IV antibiotics used to treat her.

I was just told that I have it yesterday.

The Dr told me that more than likely I got it in the visiting room at the prison.


In Missouri, they are NOT taking this as serious as they should. People have died from it where my husband is at.


Denise

Thanks for all your support!

Tinkr30- I'm sorry to hear about your situation. When you said people have died where your husband is; is it due to poor medical care or did they just die because eventually that's what this illness does to you? I'm sorry but I had to ask.

I am so scared of how this is going to affect my fiance, and our kids. We are also planning on having another baby in about a year or so. I would hate to bring a child into the world and know that he or she will only suffer a life of MRSA.

If anyone can give me any other information on how to make sure me and my kids don't get it. Please let me know.

MRSA IS TOTALLY CURABLE, you just have to be sure the doctor who treats it cultures it to see if it is MRSA, not just regular staph. Then if it IS MRSA,they give you the CORRECT medicine that will cure it, and they make sure to follow up on it to be sure it is all gone away. It isn't like HEP C or AIDS or anything like that, where you have it forever and have to take medicine and get sick from it all the time.

My mother in law works at a hospital and she got it then I did! I went to the ER right away told them it was msra because I knew my inlaw had it. It was a tiny itchy real itchy piece of skin at the top of my chest and the antibiotic they gave me cured it within days. You can get it so easily especially thru towels. I was just glad we caught it right away and nobody else like my daughter got it.

Between everyone here at PTO and my fiance I'm truly reassured that I have nothing to worry about. I can't wait to see my baby.

Thanks again for all your support.

:( If an inmate is injured in the county jail,while awaiting sentencing, then is sent to prison shortly thereafter,who is resposible for his medical care? :confused: He was told by the prison that,they were not responsible for the injury,so what now?

I am not 100% sure but I think the prison needs to handle it regardless of where it happened. What are you they going to do send him back to county so they can pay for it? If they are ignoring it, you should call his caseworker or somebody - that is ridiculous.

I would think that surely whoever has him in custody is responsible for his health and well-being. Not sure if you're talking about a staph infection or some other sort of injury. An infection is nothing to fool around with or delay treating!

it was pretty nasty looking.
when i was locked up they had like
4 girls in my dorm with it.

& they would sit & pick at it & then go and touch the phones! GROSS

my son has mrsa and it is not curable it is only controable once you have it you can have reccuring bouts at any time that you get a scratch or cut if you dont take proper care you must keep even the tiniest cut clean and as germ free as possible there are meds for it if you get to them in time he contacted his in prison and whenever he gets hurt it usually pops up thank god we know what to look for so he can get treatment fast

Try getting him some t-tree gargle, deodorant cream, toothpaste, body wash. I am sure you know it lives in the nose, behind the ears, in creases like the groin. Antibiotics will usually get rid of it once and for all along with the other creams and gargles.

My daughter got bad MRSA staph infection 2 X when she was about 13 months. It was terrible. She couldnt have anything even touching her Rightbuttocks where it was located. It was grew to the size of a softball and hurtso bad she couldnt have even a recieving blanket touching the area.The abcess was infected so bad she stayed hospitalized for 2 weeks. And even then she wasnt responding to the IV antibiotics so they had to do surgery to open it up and clean the wound. It turned out fine except a scar. (luckily it is in a place where (hopefully) only her husband will see it). I have no idea why she got it. Noone else in our family has ever had it. It does live around the above mentioned places and can re-occur. The second outbreak she had was small and caught soon enough that it was treated with an antibiotic cream called Bactricin or Bactrobin (one or the other) that was applied 3x daily to the insides of her nostrils. It cleared right up. This happened when she was about 13 months and I have never taken any real precautions other than cleaning any wounds real well. She hasnt gotten any more outbreaks and she is 4 years old now. So dont stress it.:)

A couple of weird "folk remedies" that fend off this stuff if you get it in places like behind the ears or in the groin: Listerine and Vicks Vapo-Rub. Both are extremely effective topical antibiotics, and the Eucalyptus extract in both acts as an anesthetic as well, so there's no major "sting".

my Brother Had His Nose Broken And Has A Painful Knot Come Up On His Side As A Result Of A Volleyball Game,they Had Played In The County Jail, And An Inmate Accidentally Elbowed Him And Knocked Him Into The Post, The Knot Is Causing Severe Pain And He Is Also Bleeding Rectally, And They Have Not Sent Him To The Dr.except Once,and That Was For Them To Tell Him That His Nose Was Broke,duh?? He Has Been South 3 Months Now,and They Ignore His Request And Tell Him,it's Not Their Problem, And If We Call Or Write, They Go In And Tell Him That If We Don't Quit,they Threaten Him,and He Doesn't Want Any Trouble,he Wants To Get Out, But What Can You Do Then, When It Gets Him In Trouble Just For Asking???? Thanks Anyone

MRSA IS TOTALLY CURABLE, you just have to be sure the doctor who treats it cultures it to see if it is MRSA, not just regular staph. Then if it IS MRSA,they give you the CORRECT medicine that will cure it, and they make sure to follow up on it to be sure it is all gone away. It isn't like HEP C or AIDS or anything like that, where you have it forever and have to take medicine and get sick from it all the time.
UM - No, MRSA is *not* curable. It goes into *remission.* I have MRSA - I know and have been out of remission 3 times in the past two years already. Currently, I am fighting to go back into remission once again. I have done IV Vancomycin treatments and I am up for Zyvox next providing I am not resistant to it per my latest tests. Minocycline and Rifampin combined worked - but I became resistant to it after my second remission - and I keep my nose lined with Bactroban at all times when out of remission. Some people get lucky to go into remission for years upon years and they may not ever have another symptom again - but the majority of MRSA patients fall in and out of remission. Just because someone has contact with MRSA does not mean that they will catch it - many people may or may not be carriers of it once exposed. It is NOT like TB. People who go to a health club or work in a hospital -have just as much a risk in catching MRSA as someone in prison. It is not just a "prison thing." A little girl died in Chicago a couple years ago after falling off her bike - she caught it off of the ground and by the time they caught it - it was too late. It is a Superbug and yes, can be deadly without any treatment. The symptoms are not what will kill - it is what MRSA can do - it can shut down your organs, attack the chambers of your heart, cause other serious illnesses...it's nothing to mess with. For those who go around saying that it is *curable* - please, educate yourself before misinforming the world. As a MRSA patient who has been stuggling with it, it ticks me off to see that. :mad: My suggestion to all - wash your hands, a lot - use Purell - you could catch it off a shopping mall door handle, a grocery store shopping cart - you do not know. Avoid touching your wounds with unwashed hands, do not touch your nose with unclean hands - I caught MRSA by taking someone to the hospital who did not even know they had MRSA until it shut down their gallbladder. I went to the bathroom in the ER and I caught it by touching my sore and irritated navel piercing - not even thinking about washing my hands BEFORE I went to the bathroom. That is the suspected entry point #1 - as is my touching my nose as most of us do without thinking. Two suspected entry points into my system. Two weeks later, it all began with symptoms of Mono and Strep - extreme fatigue -a fever and Psoriasis symptoms, boils - and spiraled down from there. Left untreated for 3 months until the boils started coming and those were submitted to the lab at the ER when drained. 19 ER visits before it was actually diagnosed as MRSA. I have been through hell with this cr*p. They couldnt figure it out until the boils. When going in and out of remission, the symptoms are not as bad as the initial oncoming of MRSA IF treated. Not all Doctors are well informed about MRSA and chances are an Infectious Disease Specialist will end up treating you for your MRSA after diagnosis. If anyone ever has any questions about MRSA, feel free to contact me. Will be more than happy to help w/ any questions.

Wow I had MSRA about 2 summers ago after I came back from a trailer