Will my grandfather ever test negative for MRSA?

Question: He contacted Mrsa after hip replacement surgery. It tested in his lungs but he never did get ill from it. He has been on antiobiotics. It's been months and none of us has gone around him because we have small children and were afraid of contracting it. He has had the nose swab tests done and it always comes back positive. Will he ever test negative?

He's elderly and we want to be able to visit but our concerned with the chance that we or our young children will contract it.

Answers:
Airborne MRSA is more contagious than contact, of course, because just breathing the same air can transmit it to the lungs of others. In hospitals & nursing homes, the employees have to 'suit up' to give care & treatment, wearing gown, mask, gloves, but it's still not a perfect preventative practice. Many caregivers are walking around with the staph on their skin & hair, but it only asserts itself if they get an injury. The nose is where it usually hides, which is why they do nose swab tests.

The use of IV antibiotics sometimes knocks it completely out, but since he is elderly, his resistance is slower, and healing could take a long time. It's sad that he & the family are missing out on together time since he's in his golden years, and probably doesn' t have much time left. Talking with him on the phone (if he's able) might help a little, and sending him home movies.

I am an RN and have seen this multiple times. I hope the best for you and your loved ones! :)

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MRSA is just like any other Staphylococcus aureus, except that it is resistant to more antibiotics.

Many people eventually clear their MRSA because the Staph has to compete with all the other bacteria.

We see many people coming into hospital who have been positive for MRSA some years ago, and then when we re-test them they are clear. However we do not consider them clear until they test clear on 3 separate sets of MRSA swabs a month apart. (This is our hospital policy and might be different where you are from)

He may not ever test negative, but it is possible that he can.

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Once MRSA positive, he will stay positive.
best way to prevent transmission is hand washing after contact.
I wish this will help.

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Once you're positive, you stay positive.

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