MRSA And Pregnancy
Facts About MRSA and Pregnancy
MRSA and pregnancy has been an increasingly popular area of concern for pregnant women as well as those who have recently given birth. The most common name for MRSA that most people would understand is “staph infection”; however, this staph infection is not easily cured. MRSA refers to Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and is a primary concern because it is nonresponsive to the current antibiotics on the market. As a result, this bacterial problem can cause extremely serious infections that may be life-threatening to those who are already sick or have a depleted immune system. However, MRSA proves to be relatively insignificant (if treated) when it resides on the epidermis of those that are healthy. Due to its seriousness, there is a need to address this issue for those with MRSA who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Throughout this article we will examine all you need to know about MRSA and pregnancy in order to help answer some of the pressing questions to women around the world.
Although your typical healthy person is able to have MRSA without much of a risk, those who are in hospitals and in extreme conditions (such as those in intensive care), MRSA could become a serious problem very quickly. Over the years there has been an increase in the number of pregnant women with MRSA as well as their new babies. Not only do those that are pregnant have a small risk of developing this serious form of staph infection, but also it is possible to spread MRSA to a baby during delivery.
A tear in the vaginal walls during delivery may make the pregnant woman more likely to contract MRSA. Furthermore, a newborn baby does not have a fully developed immune system so they too are at a risk for contracting the staph infection. This higher than normal risk is especially true for newborns who have to be kept in intensive care or are premature. Pregnant women with staph infections are even capable of spreading this infection to their unborn baby. MRSA and pregnancy is an issue because it may also cause congenital disorder or anomalies to the fetus.
For the longest time MRSA was only found in larger hospitals with a variety of patients; however, it has been identified in many community-level doctors’ offices and care facilities as of late, making it a bit more widespread. These infections can cause a variety of different problems including pneumonia, skin infections, and again even death in the case of those with a lowered immune system. It is essential to note that the possibility of a pregnant woman developing some sort of staph infection is around seventeen percent; however, the probability of developing MRSA while pregnant is less than three percent.
It is important for anyone with MRSA, or suspecting they have a staph infection, to contact their physician as soon as possible to find out possible treatment options. Although there are some items on the market that may be able to help alleviate MRSA, some are dangerous to your unborn baby. Therefore, it is essential to examine all your options and talk to a doctor before moving forward with a method of treatment.
In conclusion, MRSA and pregnancy is a relatively serious issue but is extremely rare occurring less than three percent of the time. However, this serious staph infection is attracted to pregnant women due to their decreased immune systems, which is why it is also attracted to newborn babies. Although it was once thought to only be found within hospitals, it has since become prevalent in many community care facilities as well. In the end, although MRSA and pregnancy very rarely occur together, anyone with staph infection symptoms should seek medical assistance quickly to help minimize the risk to you and your unborn (or newborn) baby.