Mrsa

[mintymow]

My husband has had an infected toe since a visit from a chiropodist at the beginning of last November. After three courses of antibiotics, which did little, it was decided to do a swab and as you can see from the title to this post, it is MRSA. He has been perfectly well in himself and doesn't even complain of any discomfort in the toe. The doctor says you can live with MRSA, and that most of us do all the time anyway. Has anyone come across anything like this before, any suggestions for alternative meds as doctor says there is nothing he can prescribe. How do we treat this, the district nurse comes in twice a week to dress it, presumably this will be as it will be from now on. Who if anyone do I need to tell, his toe is obviously dressed and has a sock and shoe on. Any help, suggestions, comments would be gratefully received.

[Sqad]

MRSA infection of the toe is a serious situation and i am surprised at the attitude of your doctor.

I assume that your husband is not a diabetic ans is not taking drugs for cardiovascular reasons.

He needs to see a Consultant Physician as certain combinations of antibiotics can have an effect on MRSA,.

[mintymow]

Sqad you would be wrong on both counts, he is Type 2 diabetic and takes tablets for blood pressure. Should I ask to be referred to a consultant, he has been through so much recently with the removal of a cyst on the brain and a stroke. I really don't know what to do.

[Sqad]

mintymow..........that puts a completely different light on the subject and i think that the case of your husband should be taken far more seriously than it appears to have been taken.

As to be referred to a consultant Physician.

[naomi24]

I certainly wouldn't leave it at that. Do as sqad says. Ask for a referral - and don't take 'no' for an answer.

[lcg]

given his health complications, your husband does need more urgent, specialist care. simply saying there is nothing more he can do.....just does not cut the mustard x

[Iluvspikey]

manuka honey. health food shop or on line. don't get the eating stuff, get the type for wounds.

[jamesnan]

Definitely get further medical advice - my father in law had virtually the same thing, this spread and turned into gangrene whilst he was in hospital being treated, and he ended up dying with various infections. Do not leave it.

[slaney]

I presume your GP regards this as a chronic, and, as your husband seems to be well with little discomfort at the moment, a low-grade condition.
But the result needs to be acted upon, especially with the diabetes diagnosis.

The person to take advice from is not a general physician but the local consultant microbiologist at the hospital where the swab was sent. He/she will know the exact strain of MRSA and whether it is sensitive to any oral antibiotics. This could easily be done by telephone, so it would be worth asking your GP if this could be done.