With major illnesses like H1N1 in the news, people in San Jose are thinking twice about what they can do to stop the spread of bacteria like Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA) which tends to spread around nursing homes, hospitals, and dialysis centers; preying on seniors who are already more vulnerable due to illness. So, for those wondering how to stop the spread of these illnesses, here are 10 ways to help combat MRSA:

1. Wash Your Hands –wash your hands often and ensure that that you know proper techniques to make sure that that bacteria is killed. Use hot water and soap and ensure that they scrub for 30 minutes.

2. There no such thing as washing too much –wash your hands before and after you do just about everything! When you go to the bathroom, before and after meals, anytime you touch objects in a very public place, if you sneeze or cough, and especially when around others who are ill

3. Use hand sanitizer if there’s no sink access – if seniors or caregivers don’t have access to soap and water, an alcohol based hand sanitizer will disinfect and help to kill bacteria like MRSA

4. Try not to touch anything in public restrooms – it may sound extreme, but you don’t know if others using the public restroom might have been sick when they touched doorknobs, doors and faucets in the washroom without washing their hands first. Use a paper towel when opening doors and wash your hands before you leave

5. Clean surfaces in your house – frequently clean doorknobs, faucets and other surfaces where you and others in the home frequently use their hands which can also spread bacteria. Antibacterial cleaners or those designed to combat MRSA can be effective!

6. Keep cuts clean – it’s important for cuts to be cleaned and bandaged so that MRSA can’t enter the wound

7. Use caution when treating someone else’s wound – avoid touching bandages or an open wound directly when helping someone else. Wear gloves and wash your hands after

8. Don’t share personal items – MRSA can be spread by sharing clothes, towels, tweezers, nail clippers, cosmetics and more

9. Don’t overuse antibiotics – using antibiotics for a virus can help increase MRSA’s resistance; always follow doctor’s instructions

10. See a doctor – if wounds aren’t healing well, seek medical attention

Sources:

1. MedLeague

2. How to Do Things

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents – 408-370-6360.