Golden staff

[monnie24]

DS had surgery last week and he came up with this spot on his nose. I took him to doctor and he swabbed it and has given me ointment saying it could be golden staff or mrsa 😱😱

Totally freaking out. What does it mean? I worked in aged care and I had to suit up basically every time we took care of those patients!!

[AdornedWithCats]

Staph aureus (aka golden staff) is bacteria that is actually very common. About 40% of adults carry it in their nose. I wouldn't freak out unless it doesn't respond to treatment. Just make sure you keep up good hygiene practises (ie. Wash hands regularly).

I imagine you would have to suit up in an age care environment because you are likely dealing with a lot of elderly people with decreased immune systems so are much more likely to develop an infection than in the general public.

[Kaybaby]

MRSA is carried by lots of people. ..you would never know unless you took a swab for it. MRSA is only a problem if there is immune compromise, such as in the hospital environment where people are unwell or have surgical wounds. If the swabs do show MRSA it is called "community - acquired MRSA" and is treated with daily body washes and a cream put in the nostrils. Don't stress. .just practice hygiene and the GP will follow up with the treatment required if it is MRSA.