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Researchers Track Spread of MRSA in Homes With Contaminated Household Items

Doorknobs, light switches, and other seemingly harmless items may serve as reservoirs for germs if someone in your household has a drug-resistant staph infection.

People with MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) who live in homes where such common items test positive for the same strain of MRSA are about five times more likely to spread the bacteria to another household member, suggests a new study of about 300 homes.

Staph, including MRSA, is a common bug that lives on the skin or in the noses of about 40 percent of people without causing harm, says researcher Justin Knox, MPH, a PhD candidate in the department of epidemiology at Columbia University in New York City.

But previous research by the same group suggests that contamination of household items is associated with an increased risk of recurrent MRSA infections. The study also showed that having a child age 5 or younger or having a pet in the home doubles the risk of transmitting staph to another household member.

Knox and colleagues compared the households of 146 people who came to the hospital to be treated for community-acquired MRSA infections to a comparison group of households of 145 dental clinic patients.

Patients completed a questionnaire about themselves and household members. Also, nasal swabs were collected from consenting household members, and household items were swabbed. Swabs were cultured for staph bacteria.

Results of the study include:

• 58 percent of household members of people with MRSA infections tested positive for staph vs. 37 percent of those in the other homes.
• Common household items tested positive for the same strain of MRSA as the patient in half of "hospital-treated" households vs. less than one-third of comparison households.
• Identical MRSA strains were found among two or more members of the household in 38 percent of "hospital-treated" households vs. 18 percent of the comparison households.

To minimize the risk of MRSA spreading in your household, consider these steps:

• Practice good hand washing techniques, which means washing with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. Also, thoroughly wash your face.
• Always wash after playing with a pet.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers or wipes when washing isn't possible.
• Don't share towels, uniforms, or other items that come into contact with bare skin, the main entry point for MRSA.
• Keep cuts or broken skin clean and covered with dry bandages until healed.
• Clean shared sports equipment with antiseptic solution before each use. Or use a towel as a barrier between skin and equipment.
• Be on the lookout for infections. Early on, a staph infection resembles a spider bite (a red, irritated bump). Don't wait -- have a nurse or doctor look at it.
• If you have an infection, don't try to squeeze out the pus. This only spreads germs on your skin.
• Always keep surfaces clean, particularly if someone has an active infection.

For more on medical safety issues, see the library of articles by Daytona Beach medical malpractice attorney.




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