MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a virulent staph infection that is resistant to antibiotic treatment. Once contracted, MRSA can prove fatal—sometimes very quickly. Minimize your risk with the following practices:

1.    Keep your immune system strong. People with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to MRSA. Ways to boost your immune system include reducing stress in your life, taking a multivitamin with 100% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, exercising, and eating a health diet high in fruits and vegetables.

2.    Athletes can also be particularly vulnerable. Shower following athletic activities, and disinfect athletic gear.

3.    Wash your hands regularly and promote hand washing among family members. Keep antibacterial hand cleaners (like Purell) readily available in places like the car, with toiletries, and in your kids’ school backpacks.

4.    Ensure that medical professionals disinfect their hands before examining you.  If you are too sick to notice this (at an E.R. visit, for instance) have someone with you who can check.  Studies have indicated that up to 50% of doctors fail to wash their hands frequently enough.  If your doctor seems careless about this, switch doctors.

5.    Avoid unnecessary surgery. Since the most invasive MRSA infections tend to arise among those who have had invasive medical treatments or extended hospital stays, it is best to avoid optional surgeries.

6.    If you visit someone in the hospital or nursing home, wash your hands before and after your visit to ensure that you don’t carry germs.

7.    Clean any wound thoroughly. Keep a close eye on wounds that exhibit signs of infection like redness and swelling, skin lesions, or odd-looking pimples, as these can be indicators of a skin-related staph infection. Seek treatment promptly.

8.    Avoid sharing personal hygiene items (e.g. razors, towels, etc.)

9.    If you are prescribed an antibiotic for any reason, take the full amount prescribed, even if you feel better.  Never stop a course of antibiotic treatment part of the way through—that’s how superbugs like MRSA develop in the first place. This is how they adapt and become resistant to antibiotics.

10.    If you experience any signs and symptoms of MRSA, seek medical help immediately, as it has been known to be fatal within hours of developing severe symptoms.