Mother in hospital quarantine for MRSA, I refuse to visit, am I wrong?!
Question: Mother in hospital quarantine for MRSA, I refuse to visit, am I wrong.?
I know this sounds terrible, but my mother has been in quarantine at our local hospital for the past week after testing positive for CA-MRSA. She'd been sick previously with Shingles (scabs might have opened up, enabling the staph to enter her already weakened body). Ever since she went into the hospital, I haven't visited, nor have my husband or children (her grandchildren) though we do call her multiple times a day to see how she is feeling and to chit-chat (she enjoys this.) Last night I received a nasty phone call from an elderly relative of mine, scolding me for not spending every free moment with my mother.."after all, you CAN wear a gown/gloves/mask..they told you you could!"..was screamed at me. My simple response was that I, myself, have had MRSA before..and its a vile, painful ordeal to go through and I don't want to get re-infected with it, nor have my husband or children infected..AND that we would see her when she was better. I was then hung up on. Am I right in doing this.? I just want to keep my family healthy.Health Question & Answer
Answers:
Your decision is your own. Only you can make it and you are the one that has to live with the consequences. Dont let other people sway you. I think you have some valid points and if they truely care for you then they would respect your decision.Health Question & Answer
I think what you are doing is ok. Quarantine exists for a reason. If she were safe to be in the general population she would be. If she had a terminal illness then you should definitely take the chances, but MRSA isn't so bad if it doesn't spread. There are other classes of antibiotics that can fix her up and then you can spend time with her under safe conditions.Health Question & Answer
It is understandable to not want to become re-infected or for your husband and children to be infected but the clothing used in quarantine areas is plenty capable of stopping bacteria and viruses from reaching your skin.
She is your mother you should be there to help her through this, of course this is just my opinion and it entirely your decision.Health Question & Answer
She is your mother you should be there to help her through this, of course this is just my opinion and it entirely your decision.Health Question & Answer
MRSA is very dangerous however if you don't have open wounds and have a normal immune system you are safe. If you don't want to go see your mom then don't, but if you do, you really don't have anything to be afraid of. Just don't touch her and you'll be fine.Health Question & Answer
I think you are very wrong. I wouldn't want my children running around in the room, but there is no reason you couldn't visit her.
BTW - did anyone visit you when you had MRSA.?Health Question & Answer
BTW - did anyone visit you when you had MRSA.?Health Question & Answer
She's probably quarantined for her safety rather than the possibility that she will infect others. Shame on you. Do not take your kids they probably carry more infections.Health Question & Answer
Absolutely. The health and well being of your family is your top concern.Health Question & Answer
Tell the old hag to shove it up her pie hole.
I understand where you are coming from, this illness is none to be messed with!
I however don't see the harm in visiting once.You can keep your distance from her and not touch anything that could be infected (after all, the nurses do and they aren't sick)
Just let your mom know your concerns.I doubt her feelings would be so hurt for wanting to keep your family happy.I don't think that children should be allowed in though for the fact that they do like to touch everything they see.
Good luck.Health Question & Answer
I understand where you are coming from, this illness is none to be messed with!
I however don't see the harm in visiting once.You can keep your distance from her and not touch anything that could be infected (after all, the nurses do and they aren't sick)
Just let your mom know your concerns.I doubt her feelings would be so hurt for wanting to keep your family happy.I don't think that children should be allowed in though for the fact that they do like to touch everything they see.
Good luck.Health Question & Answer
I also believe that it is your decision and one you have to live with - but also your grandkids.
My mother was just released after testing positive for MRSA and VRE along with a whole list of other post-op issues.
She was in quarantine more to keep her from spreading it to other patients than to her family - if you are not immunie compromised then wash your hands, put the gown on, gloves and/or face mask - by the way MRSA isn't airborne it is spread by touch. Come in far enough so she can see you and chat for 10 minutes. Don't come in with the kids or bring them as long as they are old enough to know that they can't climb on the bed and give grandma a hug. Or don't go if you have a cold - obviously with shingles and mrsa her immune system will have a hard time to fight something new off.
We were in the room without the gown on as long as we weren't touching her or coming into contact with her bodily fluids (which we weren't). A few of the days, I wore gloves because I had cuts on my hand and there was a possibility that I would touch something she'd just had in her hand.
Many people have MRSA and VRE in their body and it doesn't affect them - or so the hospital (and the internet) was telling us.
And if you call her multiple times without seeing her, how do you know that she enjoys them.? Did you enjoy calls when you had it.? Did she come see you or did anyone.?
My brother also refused to see my mother in the hospital and she was devasted but put on a brave face. His reasoning was if something went wrong he wouldn't have to remember her that way --- well, his kids are confused as to whether or not Grandma is okay and if something had of happened to her... I don't know if I would have forgiven him because I could see the disappointment. When we were kids, our parents comforted us and now when they are in the hospital, sometimes we have to take on their role... comfort them, make sure that the nursing staff and doctors are doing all that they can be doing. How else can you know if it is okay or not unless you go find out for yourself.?
Go - don't touch her - take the precautions the hospital says and see her. It is 10 minutes out of your life and will likely mean the world to her.Health Question & Answer
My mother was just released after testing positive for MRSA and VRE along with a whole list of other post-op issues.
She was in quarantine more to keep her from spreading it to other patients than to her family - if you are not immunie compromised then wash your hands, put the gown on, gloves and/or face mask - by the way MRSA isn't airborne it is spread by touch. Come in far enough so she can see you and chat for 10 minutes. Don't come in with the kids or bring them as long as they are old enough to know that they can't climb on the bed and give grandma a hug. Or don't go if you have a cold - obviously with shingles and mrsa her immune system will have a hard time to fight something new off.
We were in the room without the gown on as long as we weren't touching her or coming into contact with her bodily fluids (which we weren't). A few of the days, I wore gloves because I had cuts on my hand and there was a possibility that I would touch something she'd just had in her hand.
Many people have MRSA and VRE in their body and it doesn't affect them - or so the hospital (and the internet) was telling us.
And if you call her multiple times without seeing her, how do you know that she enjoys them.? Did you enjoy calls when you had it.? Did she come see you or did anyone.?
My brother also refused to see my mother in the hospital and she was devasted but put on a brave face. His reasoning was if something went wrong he wouldn't have to remember her that way --- well, his kids are confused as to whether or not Grandma is okay and if something had of happened to her... I don't know if I would have forgiven him because I could see the disappointment. When we were kids, our parents comforted us and now when they are in the hospital, sometimes we have to take on their role... comfort them, make sure that the nursing staff and doctors are doing all that they can be doing. How else can you know if it is okay or not unless you go find out for yourself.?
Go - don't touch her - take the precautions the hospital says and see her. It is 10 minutes out of your life and will likely mean the world to her.Health Question & Answer
Amanda is correct.
MRSA does not travel through the air. When you visit *should you decide), wearing the gown and gloves, or simply not touching her physically will be more than enough to keep yourself safe.
While it remains your decision, assuming you do not touch her, and wear gloves and gown there is no real risk of acquiring MRSA (which you probably already have living on your skin anyway).
My two cents: Visit your mother.Health Question & Answer
MRSA does not travel through the air. When you visit *should you decide), wearing the gown and gloves, or simply not touching her physically will be more than enough to keep yourself safe.
While it remains your decision, assuming you do not touch her, and wear gloves and gown there is no real risk of acquiring MRSA (which you probably already have living on your skin anyway).
My two cents: Visit your mother.Health Question & Answer