Staph Infection

Can MRSA cause heart or organ damage?


Once inside your body, MRSA can cause endocarditis, and heart valve problems. It can also infect other organs in your body as well. These infections can also form "base camps" inside your body the form of biofilms which help them evade treatment and help cause the recurring infection cycle.


Staph and MRSA infections often lead to secondary infections, such as yeast infections or other bacterial infections, causing a downward spiral that often leads to other illnesses and diseases. In fact, the CDC has said that infections set the stage for a host of chronic health issues including cancers.

Can I stop taking antibiotics?


I am a big proponent of using any and all methods that are available if they are needed or appropriate. Antibiotics are one of those methods. Antibiotics do have a time and a place in many cases and can literally make the difference between life and death. Please consider that both Western medicine and Alternative medicine are valid. They both have their pros and cons, they complement each other well, and they can be used together successfully. However, do not stop taking antibiotics unless you have your doctor’s approval. Stopping antibiotics early is one reason bacteria can become antibiotic resistant. MRSA is a serious infection and you should always be watched over by a physician.


From my experience, essential oils are one of the most powerful natural methods I have used for skin infections and other illnesses. Using the correct type of oils properly and safely can provide quick results. There are also powerful herbs that are effective. However, if I needed antibiotics, I would take them gladly, knowing that I can counteract the side effects of these drugs using essential oils, probiotics, and the many other ways I could boost my immune system. Click the link to learn more about mainstream medical treatments.

How do I care for someone with MRSA?


First, you need to protect yourself from becoming infected. It’s very common for MRSA to spread from person to person living in the same household, or even to people who are only visiting. Hand washing and personal hygiene are crucial, as are keeping high-contact surfaces disinfected. And, it’s critical to know that MRSA can travel through the air. It’s also important to maintain your body’s defenses and to keep natural remedies on hand to aid as preventatives.


Secondly, get the facts straight about MRSA and understand what you are dealing with. If you are providing hands-on care to someone with Staph or MRSA, be sure you know proper techniques for changing dressings, bathing, cleaning, laundry precautions and helping with any medications. The more you know about treatment options, MRSA testing, signs and symptoms and prevention, the better. Reading through this website is a good first step. Knowing the MRSA facts and myths will also be supportive in your knowledge.


Most importantly, understand your role as a caregiver and its limitations. A good caregiver is supportive, encouraging, well informed and does their best to provide hope and good advice. However, you should always get permission to provide care and help. And realize that you may not see eye to eye on everything and most people like to make their own decisions if they can.

 

How do I stop having recurring infections?


Recurring infections are the single most common issue that people have with Staph and MRSA. Staph bacteria can lay dormant form some time, undetected, only to come back later and cause re-infections. There is a lot of credible evidence to suggest that using antibiotics can cause this dormancy.


There are many things you can do to minimize the chances of having recurring infections. Boosting the immune system is the single most important thing to do, followed by using natural antibiotics that bacteria can not defend against. Keep in mind, I am not a Doctor – this is my opinion as a Microbiologist, Scientist and from my own personal experience of resolving my annual infection cycle. Click the link to learn more about dealing with reinfections.

How do I know if I have MRSA?


The ONLY way to positively know if you have MRSA or a Staph infection is to have a laboratory test to confirm what kind of infection you have. Given how dangerous MRSA can be, I would insist on an MRSA test if I thought I had an Staph infection. It’s very easy to mistake spider bites and other infections for MRSA and taking the test is the only way to know for sure. The test is usually a "microbial culture test" and can take up to a week to get results. There are also newer DNA type tests for MRSA that are becoming more available too.


If you do have Staph or MRSA, you can also request an antimicrobial susceptibility test. This test will show exactly which antibiotics will work with your particular infection. Many people waste valuable time while their infections get worse because they are given the wrong antibiotics or broad spectrum antibiotics which won’t work against MRSA. We cover more specifics on these tests in our MRSA guidebook.

What is the cure?


Is there a cure for MRSA? We have all been programmed by the media, drug companies and even our doctors to expect a quick-fix “cure” for our health problems. The trouble is, each infection can involve a unique stain of bacteria and each person’s infection can be quite different from someone else’s infection. And, antibiotics are the only option we normally hear about, and they don’t always work for these infections.

Curing an infection is one thing. Keeping it from coming back is quite another.T here is a cure for MRSA and Staph and there can be long-term freedom from these debilitating infections. Many people have been very successful at stopping their MRSA or Staph infection

What is MRSA Disease?


MRSA disease is an infection caused by the bacteria MRSA, which is short for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA is caused by Staphylococcus aureus or "Staph," that has acquired an immunity or resistance to the penicillin type of antibiotics. MRSA can be acquired at a hospital or health care facility (HA-MRSA) or in the community in places like gyms, shopping centers, schools, etc (CA-MRSA). Find out more about what is MRSA disease and how to protect yourself.

 

MRSA, a type of Staph, is immune to many antibiotics.

There are many types of Staph bacteria, and they commonly reside on both people and animals. For the most part, they are well behaved and never cause problems for many people. When they do cause issues, it’s typically a type of skin infection, however, they can move from the skin to inside your body and cause dangerous internal infections.


The trouble is, some Staph bacteria changed and began causing deadly and difficult to treat infections. MRSA is the most serious bacteria in this family, because it’s immune to most commonly prescribed antibiotics and it can be very had to treat.


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What your Doctor won’t tell you about MRSA Staph


Most doctors are doing the best job they can. And for serious infections, being under the care of a good MRSA doctor is critical, regardless of what treatments you choose to use. But it’s important to understand the pressures and limitations put on doctors that often keeps you from getting the quality healthcare you deserve.


Doctors are under enormous pressure to keep costs low and protect themselves against malpractice law suits. Your doctor is also pressured to comply with standard treatment protocols covered by insurance and sanctioned by the American Medical Association. On top of all this, the drug companies market heavily to your doctor and try to make pharmaceutical drugs the only option available.


There are  things your doctor probably isn’t telling you about your treatments, your healthcare, and antibiotic side effects.



1. "You’re getting the standard protocol treatments, NOT what’s best for you"

 

Are you getting a "one-size-fits-all" treatment?


Doctors are forced by insurance companies to cut costs by prescribing generic “one-size-fits-all” treatments. It’s easier for your doctor to give you a broad-spectrum antibiotic, even though they are useless against MRSA.

Many general physicians are inexperienced with MRSA and misdiagnosis is common (especially as spider bites). And most medical doctors don’t know the first thing about natural medicine because they are never taught about it in medical school. Even most MRSA specialists and infectious disease doctors have limited or no training in natural medicine.


You need to know the pitfalls of the healthcare system and learn how to avoid time-wasting mistakes. You should also know what questions to ask your doctor to get the best medical care for Staph and MRSA.




2. "Your infection will probably come back again later"


Recurring infection is the number one problem people have with MRSA and Staph. And most doctors admit they don’t know how to prevent recurring infections.

It’s no wonder recurring infections are so common. The same drugs used for Staph and MRSA treatment can beat down your body’s natural defenses and leave the door wide open for future infections.

If you want to stop the cycle of recurring infection, you have to understand the underlying causes of your infection and how to strengthen your body’s natural defenses.




3. "Antibiotics are risky drugs with negative side effects"

 

Antibiotics cause nearly 20% of all emergency room visits due to drug reactions.


If you choose to take antibiotics for Staph or MRSA, you need to know how to use them properly and how dangerous they can be. The risks of taking some antibiotics (especially clindamycin, sulfonamides and fluoroquinolones) are greater than you may realize. Antibiotics cause nearly 20% of all emergency room visits due to drug reactions. If you take antibiotics, you need to learn techniques to counteract the negative side effects of these powerful drugs.

Antibiotics also weaken your immune system, putting you at risk of future Staph and MRSA infections. Antibiotics can also cause secondary yeast, viral and bacterial infections. If you use antibiotics, you better learn how to rebuild your immune system to keep your infection from coming back.

Some antibiotics may help stealth bacteria and biofilms grow in your body. Many antibiotics, including Vancomycin, can cause Staph and MRSA to mutate into L-form “stealth bacteria”. L-forms and biofilms can hide inside your body for years, waiting for the right opportunity to cause re-infections later. There are techniques you can use to reduce this little-known risk.




4. "Washing your hands and other cleaning methods may be doing you more harm than good"


New studies show that antibacterial soaps and products can cause you more harm than good. Chlorhexidine products and bleach baths may help reduce skin colonization for a while, but they can leave you more prone to future infections. And hand washing, bathing and disinfecting your home will NOT kill MRSA bacteria in the air you breathe.

You need to learn how to control airborne bacteria and keep your home clean using methods that are both effective and safe.




5. "Foods you’re eating right now are making your infection grow worse"

 

Sugar can feed infections.


Eating certain foods, such as sugar and sweets, is strongly linked to the growth of infections. And some foods, herbs and other natural products not only fight infection, they also boost your body’s natural defenses. If you want to get rid of Staph and MRSA for good, you need to avoid harmful foods and discover which foods can help you ward off future infections.


Diet changes are not a miracle cure for infections, but eating the wrong foods is like driving your car with the breaks on. In addition to the right treatments, the foods you eat (and the ones you’re missing out on) could tip the scales in favor of a faster and lasting recovery.


 

The misuse of antibiotics and resistant Staph


The overuse of antibiotics over many years has resulted in the ever growing population of antibiotic resistant bacteria, such as MRSA. Antibiotics have become less and less effective with each passing year. Such misuse has been created by doctors prescribing antibiotics for colds which are caused by viruses, not bacteria. The commercial livestock industry has overused antibiotics which are commonly used to fatten cattle so they can go to market quicker. These two factors have greatly contributed to antimicrobial resistance in bacteria like Staph.


While antibiotics are often necessary and lifesaving, I believe they should be used with prudence. Antibiotics have a history of being misused and over-used which has contributed largely to antibiotic resistant bacteria like MRSA, VRSA and others.

Statistics are now showing that using antibiotics for a Staph infection can double your chances of getting MRSA. Using an antibiotic that doesn’t work well only makes these bacteria more resistant. I’m not saying this as a scare tactic, but I want to inform you of the risks involved with antibiotics and if you’re going to use them, make sure you get tested.

I would consider alternative approaches in conjunction with antibiotic treatment if an infection is not serious or life-threatening. If the infection is serious or life-threatening, I would look at using these other approaches in conjunction with antibiotic treatment. Talk with your Medical Doctor, Infectious Disease Doctor or ideally Alternative Medicine Doctor about using antibiotics as a “backup” option if at all possible.

An Overview of MRSA Antibiotics


Antibiotic therapy for MRSA is often suggested for skin infections that do not respond to incision and drainage, for systemic or internal infections, for severe local symptoms, or for immunosuppressed people.

 

MRSA is now resistant to many types of antibiotics.


MRSA is currently “immune” to the following types of antibiotics:

Penicillin class antibiotics including: Methicillin, Oxacillin, Penicillin, and Amoxicillin

Cephalosporins: these antibiotics are an another class of Penicillin-like antibiotics

Resistance has been growing in many other classes of antibiotics as well

Because MRSA is so resistant, treatment now may require the use of newer antibiotics, such as the “Glycopeptides” which can include Vancomycin or Zyvox. Unfortunately, there are newer strains of MRSA that are becoming resistant to these two drugs. When it comes to antibiotics, the list of what works for MRSA is growing shorter each year.


Current MRSA antibiotic therapies for skin infections


Read below for a list of antibiotics for MRSA skin infections, which are commonly picked up in communities as community type MRSA or CA-MRSA.

Worthy of Mention: Please note this list is not all-inclusive, nor is it meant to imply these are safe or effective options for you. The antibiotic your doctor may prescribe can vary due to the location of the infection, severity of infection, your health status and if you have allergies to any antibiotics. By all means, ensure your doctor has tested you for what antibiotic actually works (click here for more).


Precautions Warning: The listings below are meant to be abbreviated and do not include all possible side effects and precautions. Talk to your doctor about your medications and be sure you refer to the drug product insert for a complete listing side-effects, possible drug or food interactions and precautions.


Clindamycin


It has been successfully and widely used for the treatment of soft tissue and skin infections as well as bone, joint and abscesses caused by Staph and MRSA. MRSA is becoming increasingly resistant to clindamycin in the United States.

Resistance: MRSA is becoming increasingly resistant to clindamycin in the United States.

Side Effects and Precautions: Diarrhea is the most common side effect, and it can promote C. difficile overgrowth infections in the colon. C. difficile infections appear to occur more frequently with clindamycin than other antibiotics. Other side-effects are pseudomembranous colitis, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, skin rashes and more.

Linezolid (Brand Names: Zyvox, Zyvoxid or Zyvoxam)


Approved for use in the year 2000, Linezolid is FDA approved for treating soft tissue and skin infections, including those caused by MRSA. It is often prescribed for CA-MRSA pneumonia and in particular, HA-MRSA pneumonia. It’s commonly prescribed to people of all ages and is one of the most expensive treatment options, for a single course costing upwards of $1 -2,000 for 20 tablets.

Resistance: To minimize resistance, this is a “last resort” antibiotic and is not usually prescribed unless Vancomycin or other antibiotics don’t work.

Side Effects and Precautions: Common adverse events when used for short durations are: diarrhea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, and nausea. Long-term use has led to serious effects including bone marrow suppression, myelosupression, low platelet counts, peripheral neuropathy, optic nerve damage and lactic acidosis. It’s also associated with C. difficile infections in the colon.

Mupirocin (Brand Name: Bactroban)


Commonly used as a topical cream for minor skin infections and skin lesions for Staph aureus, MRSA and Streptococcus infections. Mupirocin ointment is applied to reduce or eliminate MRSA colonization in the nose (see also “MRSA carriers”). It’s commonly used before surgical procedures to help prevent the surgical site from becoming infected with MRSA. It is commonly prescribed for children and adults and there is limited safety data for pregnant and nursing mothers.

Resistance: It has been reported that MRSA resistance to mupirocin is occurring in some communities.

Side Effects and Precautions: Possible side effects include headache, rash and nausea as well as burning, dizziness and secondary wound infection. Like other antibiotics, prolonged use may result in overgrowth of bacteria that are not susceptible to it, as well as an overgrowth of fungal organisms (such as yeast infections).

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (Brand Name: Septra or Bactrim)


It is not FDA-approved for the treatment of Staphylococcal infections (including MRSA). However, laboratory tests have shown most CA-MRSA strains are susceptible and so this drug has become a treatment option for Staph and MRSA. It is commonly used for skin and wound infections, urinary tract infections, lung infections, ear infections, septicemia, and other types of infections.

Side Effects and Precautions: Not recommended for women in their third trimester of pregnancy or infants less than 2 months old. Side effects can include mild allergic reactions, fever, sore throat, skin rashes, cough, diarrhea, and serious adverse effects can include myelosupression, acute renal failure, severe liver damage and more.

Tetracyclines (Doxycycline and Minocycline)


Data suggests these drugs are effective in treatment of soft tissue and skin infections, but not for deeper or more severe infections.

Side Effects and Precautions: Not recommended during pregnancy or lactation. Not recommended for children under 8 years old because of potential decreased bone growth and tooth discoloration. Doxycycline side effects can include an increased risk of sunburn when exposed to sunlight, diarrhea, and allergic reactions. Minocycline side effects can include risk of sunburn (like doxycycline), upset stomach, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, tinnitus, vomiting, allergic reaction and more. Serious but rare side effects for minocycline can include fever, yellowing of the eyes or skin, vision changes and more

Staph vs MRSA


 

Hearing you have Staph or MRSA from your doctor can be alarming at best. Staph infections can be challenging to deal with but MRSA is getting more difficult to treat each year as it becomes more resistant to antibiotics.


If you just got diagnosed then you’re probably scared right now. You may be afraid of others finding out. You may feel like you’re a “dirty” person (I can assure you this isn’t true). You’re about to see treatments that can work against the most resistant infections. You’ll also learn how to get better results from the health care system. And you’ll soon recognize and know how to avoid common treatment mistakes that can make life downright miserable.

  MRSA Myths


If you’re struggling with Staph or MRSA, it’s best to have a clear and accurate picture of what you’re dealing with. There are several persistent Staph and MRSA myths that create confusion and could prolong your infection. And there are overlooked and unknown facts about antibiotics, recurring infections and how contagious MRSA is that you need to know.


Below are seven of the most common and important Staph and MRSA myths:


Myth 1 – Antibiotics will stop your infection

 

Antibiotics may or may not work to stop your infection.


The right antibiotic can bring quick relief from Staph and MRSA, but only if you’re lucky enough to get an antibiotic that works. The trouble is, most doctors never give you the tests needed to identify which antibiotic is best for your infection. In fact, most doctors rely on a trial and error process in prescribing antibiotics.


Even if you do get the “right” antibiotic, these powerful drugs have many side effects that can be severe and long-lasting. Antibiotics also weaken your immune system, increasing your chances of recurring infections later. So even if these drugs do stop your infection, there’s a good chance the infection will come back again in days, weeks, or even months.


Antibiotics are a valid treatment option, but they have their pros and cons and should be considered carefully. Depending on the severity of infection, I advocate using antibiotics as a last resort. But you need to decide for yourself whether or not to take these drugs after considering all your options with your doctor’s help.


Myth 2 – There has to be a cure


There certainly are some powerful natural remedies for support with Staph and MRSA infections. But no single remedy by itself, no matter how effective, can end every MRSA infection overnight and forever. What’s more, many of these remedies are not strong enough for MRSA.


The truth is, skin, nose and internal infections all require a different approach for the best results. And children, infants and pregnant women also require a different approach. Some infection remedies tout how a single herb, essential oil or pH product can stop an infection by itself. But the fact is, every infection is different and a cookie cutter approach is usually unsuccessful, especially in the long run.


When it comes to stubborn Staph and MRSA, you need a treatment approach you can easily customize to your unique needs. And stopping your infection is only the first step. Staph and MRSA have a knack for coming back again unless you take additional steps to prevent recurring infections.


Myth 3 – MRSA is only in hospitals

 

MRSA has moved out of hospitals and is now in our communities.


The majority of MRSA and Staph infections are still picked up in hospitals, but a growing number of these infections are spreading though the community too.


These so-called Community-Associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections are on the rise, and they can infect young, strong and otherwise healthy people. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, CA-MRSA has become the most frequent cause of skin and soft tissue infections presented to emergency rooms in the U.S.


Common places to find Staph and MRSA bacteria are gyms, schools, offices, sports teams, long-term care facilities and in any crowded or unsanitary environment. Community MRSA is often more virulent, invasive and serious than Healthcare-Associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) and it can worsen quickly.


Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself. Consistent hand washing and good hygiene are a must. Taking maintenance levels of natural infection support supplements before, during and after exposure to crowded public places can support your natural defenses. And, keeping your immune system in working order is crucial and often overlooked.


Myth 4 – Your doctor knows best

 

Your doctor may not be familiar with Staph or MRSA.


There are experienced doctors who have successfully treated Staph and MRSA. Unfortunately, many doctors have little or no experience with these infections. Even fewer doctors have any training whatsoever in natural medicine. And even if your doctor does have Staph and MRSA experience, antibiotic drugs are likely the only treatment option they have to give you.


Even specialists, such as Infectious Disease (ID) doctors, can be inexperienced in all the available treatment options. Amazingly, one person I talked to said that her doctor actually asked THEM what they thought they had!


Your doctor is a knowledgeable and highly valuable resource, but doctors are not perfect, all-knowing or the unquestionable authority on your health.


If you want good health care, you need to know what your options are and be your own health advocate. That means finding a better doctor if yours is not the right one, or getting a second opinion. It also means being proactive, standing up for your health and knowing how best to work with your doctor.


Myth 5 – Staph and MRSA are not a big deal


While many people experience mild infections that are easy to treat, many others have severe, long-lasting challenges with these infections. Staph and especially MRSA can worsen quickly and can be very hard to get rid of. Newer strains of MRSA found in the community are striking more and more otherwise healthy people. And these infections can be quite contagious because the bacteria spread on people and contaminated surfaces.


One of the least known risks of Staph and MRSA is airborne MRSA. A 2001 study showed that MRSA could be acquired by medical staff and patients through airborne transmission in hospitals. The study was conducted in a hospital ward and found MRSA re-circulating in the air, among the patients and on objects in the area (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2001; 127(6):725-726).


The risk or catching Staph and MRSA through the air is greatest if you are sharing a home, a hospital room, or your place of work with someone infected. Fortunately, there are specific steps you can take to help minimize the risks from airborne bacteria.


Please understand that I’m not trying to scare you. It’s just important that you know the potential that these infections can have. Staph and MRSA can become serious and even life threatening and these infections should not be taken lightly. On the other hand, you have many powerful treatment and prevention options, many of which are very easy to use.


Myth 6 – Testing is unnecessary

 

Staph or MRSA can only be confirmed with testing. Credit: CDC/ Arduino, Carr


If you think you have Staph or MRSA, then you really need to get tested, especially if you plan to take antibiotics. Your doctor can perform a simple test to see if you have Staph, MRSA or some other infection. Knowing if you have MRSA or not will have a big impact on what antibiotics your doctor prescribes.


Most doctors will prescribe a general broad spectrum antibiotic for anything that looks like a bacterial infection. The problem is, general antibiotics often have no effect on MRSA and can actually make your infection grow worse. And taking antibiotics that don’t work wastes your time and money, delays your proper treatment, exposes you to nasty side effects and weakens your immune system, all for no reason.


Getting tested is the only way to determine which antibiotic will work against your infection. It’s also the best first step you can take if you plan to take antibiotics.


Myth 7 – If you get MRSA, you’ll always have it


Some people with recurring infections are told by their doctors they will always have MRSA. They are told there’s nothing more that can be done. When the infection comes back again, the only option is more antibiotics and hoping for the best.


Is this really true? If relying solely on mainstream medicine, then yes, the only option would be more antibiotics that may or may not work.


Fortunately, there are effective options that fall outside the constraining box of mainstream medicine. These treatment options are used by both medical and naturopathic doctors in the U.S. and around the world. And unlike antibiotics, these options actually support the body and help keep the infection from coming back again.


I’ve also heard from people who have successfully “de-colonized” from MRSA using traditional and non-traditional methods. Boosting the immune system and targeting biofilms and L-form bacteria can help. There is evidence that you can de-colonize from MRSA. The key is to know all your options, work with the right doctors, and tailor a treatment regimen that best suits your particular needs.