JEFFERSON CITY, MO -- Things to look for when you think you might have contracted the MRSA infection are redness, swelling, pain.
That's according to Dr. George Carr with JCMG. He said most people think they've been bitten by a spider until the pain becomes nearly unbearable and the bite doesn't go away.
We asked him how often he sees patients with MRSA come into his office, "A couple of times a week, so its a very common staph here in the community" Carr said.
He said MRSA started out in the hospitals, but its moved into schools. Gym mats, and exercise equipment are common carriers for the bacteria.
So how do you avoid contracting the so-called super-bug.
Carr said, "Its usually contracted by contact with somebody else who also has the infection through some sort of scratch or skin injury".
If you think you have contracted the bacteria, the best thing to do is cleanse the wound thoroughly, but if you've let it go to long, you need to see your doctor immediately.
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Here's what you had to say on our Facebook page:
Terrie Lybarger Frey I know of 3 people that had to go on continued IV antibiotic therapy post-op, myself being one, and the only explanation was, "just some kind of infection".
Janet Vaughan I really don't know what mrsa is, any bug worrys me as a parent to my kids not knowing how they will react to the virus. Neither of my kids have had a flu and they age 6 years and 10 years.
Kim Kj Wyatt because there is so much conflicting information about MRSA. My sister died from it last year and I have had a go around with it recently. I would love to know more about it and how to protect myself and my family other than just washing my hands-what the doctor told me to do to prevent a reinfection.
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