“How does a toddler get MRSA?”
My toddler baby was diagnosed with MRSA. How does a toddler get MRSA?
2 Answers
There are several ways any person, including a toddler, can get MRSA. The initials stand for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. This is a common bacteria that can live under normal conditions and not cause illness on your skin, mucous membranes such as the nose, throat, vagina, or rectum. If your skin breaks down or is damaged, the germ then will invade and usually cause a skin infection such as an abscess or impetigo. Or one may contact it from direct contact with another person who “carries” it on their body. Additionally, the germ can live on objects, in the soil, etc. There are many ways to come into contact with this germ. This is why it is good to wash hands and not pick your nose!
Dr. K
Dr. K
MRSA -- methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus -- is a bacteria that is resistant to the most common class of drug used to treat infections it causes. Untreated infections can be life-threatening. An individual of any age acquires MRSA from others who may carry it, but not be sick (called "colonized"), from others who have a MRSA infection, or from transfer from
inanimate objects, known as "fomites" where the bacteria has recently been deposited. This happens most often in the hospital setting.
Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP
inanimate objects, known as "fomites" where the bacteria has recently been deposited. This happens most often in the hospital setting.
Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP
