• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Feels Like Home™ logo

  • Shop
    • Christianity Downloads
    • Family Downloads
    • Food & Cooking Downloads
    • Hobbies & Crafts Downloads
    • Learning Downloads
  • Blog
  • Family
    • Parenting
    • Holidays & Celebrations
    • Marriage
    • Kids activities
      • Kids Crafts
      • Christmas Crafts for Toddlers & Preschoolers
      • Christmas Crafts for Kids
      • Christmas Crafts for Tweens & Teens
    • Learning
      • Reading & Writing
      • STEM
  • Faith
    • Bible Study
    • Encouragement
  • Recipes
    • Comfort Food
    • Eating after Bariatric Surgery
    • Gluten-Free
    • Recipes for Foodie Kids
    • Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals
  • Health
    • Mental Health
      • Hobbies & Crafts
      • Self-Care
    • Physical Health
      • Bariatric Surgery
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • SHOP
  • RECIPES
  • FAMILY
  • FAITH
  • HEALTH
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    See More:   Good Health Physical Health

    Last Modified: Oct 28, 2021 by Tara Ziegmont Leave a Comment

    That Time I Had MRSA #BeAntibioticsAware

    6FacebookMessenger1PinterestTwitterWhatsAppEmail
    7
    SHARES

    This is a post prepared under a contract funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and written on behalf of the Mom It Forward Influencer Network for use in CDC’s Be Antibiotics Aware educational effort. Opinions on this blog are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CDC.

    A bottle of pillsPin

    A couple of years ago, I got a hangnail while traveling in Nashville, Tennessee. I can't leave things alone, so I pulled it, and it bled a little. And then I forgot about it.

    A week later, that little hangnail had turned all red. It was hot to the touch, and my finger was swollen and very painful.

    I went to the doctor, and he said I had a minor infection (it didn't feel very minor!) and prescribed an antibiotic.

    The infection didn't clear up. In fact, the swelling and pain just increased.

    I hate going to the doctor, so I gave it a few more days, during which time the swelling and pain continued to increase.

    Eventually, I went back to the doctor, and he lanced the wound again (ouch!), drained all the green grossness inside, and sent the goo out for a culture. The culture determined my infection was due to MRSA.

    I was extremely fortunate in that my MRSA infection was caught quickly, and it responded to the second round of antibiotics that I was prescribed. Many people aren't so lucky and end up with widespread MRSA infections.

    Understanding antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance

    A person standing in a kitchenPin

    Inappropriate antibiotic use happens when a person is prescribed antibiotics when they’re not needed or when a person is prescribed the wrong antibiotic, at the wrong dose, for the wrong length of time, or at the wrong time. Any time antibiotics are used, they can cause side effects and lead to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. That’s why my first antibiotic treatment did not cure me.

    In fact, antibiotic resistance is one of the most urgent threats to our public health. Each year in the United States, at least 2 million people get infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and at least 23,000 people die as a result.

    Antibiotic resistance does not mean your body is becoming resistant to antibiotics; it is the bacteria that develop the ability to defeat the antibiotics designed to kill them. When bacteria become resistant, antibiotics cannot fight them, and the bacteria multiply. Some resistant bacteria, like MRSA, can be harder to treat and can be spread to other people even while you’re taking antibiotics.

    Antibiotic use is getting a lot of press these days because we, the public, need to be educated on proper antibiotic use.

    When antibiotics will work and when they won’t

    As I said in my sepsis post a few weeks ago, antibiotics save lives. They’re critical for treating people with serious infections, such as pneumonia or sepsis, the body’s extreme response to an infection.

    When a patient needs antibiotics, the benefits usually outweigh the risks of side effects or antibiotic resistance.

    Antibiotics and InfectionPin

    Antibiotics aren't always the answer. Antibiotics do not work on viruses that cause colds and flu, bronchitis, or runny noses, even if the mucus is thick, yellow, or green. Antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria, but even some bacterial infections get better without antibiotics, including many sinus infections and some ear infections. In many of these cases, the illnesses are viral and will clear up on their own.   

    A person in a pink shirtPin

    Respiratory viruses usually go away in a week or two without treatment. Ask your healthcare professional about the best way to feel better while your body fights off the virus.

    When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help you, and the side effects could still hurt you. Side effects range from minor to very severe health problems, such as rash or C. difficile (C. diff). When you need antibiotics for an infection, the benefits of the drug usually outweigh the risk of side effects.

    A person holding a her childPin

    It may be impossible for us as laypeople to know whether our illness is caused by a virus or bacteria, so a trip to the doctor is often necessary. If he or she does prescribe an antibiotic, it is critical that you take it exactly as prescribed.

    washing handsPin

    Improving the way we take antibiotics helps keep us healthy now, helps fight antibiotic resistance, and ensures that life-saving antibiotics will be available for future generations.

    To learn more about antibiotic prescribing and use, visit www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use.

    To learn more about sepsis, a life-threatening condition that is treated with antibiotics, visit www.cdc.gov/sepsis.

    For more posts like this, check out the physical health index.

    A close up of a bottle of pillsPin
    6FacebookMessenger1PinterestTwitterWhatsAppEmail
    7
    SHARES

    More Physical Health

    • 50 Fun Things to Do Outside as a Family
    • 15 Best Pool Floats for Adults
    • Breaking Sugar Addiction - How I Quit Sugar and Got My Eating Back on Track
    • What to Pack in Your Pool Bag - Free Printable Checklist

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tara.

    Harrisburg PA mom blogger Tara Ziegmont
    I am passionate about helping women to care for themselves and their families physically, emotionally, and spiritually by making time for what matters most through a combination of delectable recipes, Christian inspiration, and family fun. If you're tired of feeling so weary and uninspired, you're in the right place. I'm so glad you're here!
    Read more about me...

    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram LinkedIn email me subscribe

    Popular Recipes

    • Cheeseburger Soup from Taste of Home
    • Cracker Barrel Copycat Fried Apples
    • Sweet Balsamic Pork Roast in the Instant Pot
    • Couldn't Be Easier Cherry Pie

    Food with an Instant Pot in the background

    AS SEEN ON

    a list of the websites where Tara Ziegmont has been featured

    Popular Bible Studies

    • A Grateful Heart - 2 week printable study
    • 10 Bible Verses on Anger
    • 13 Bible Verses on Disappointment
    • 50 Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know
    • 10 Bible Verses to Overcome Worry

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    As seen on

    a list of the websites where Tara Ziegmont has been featured

    Contact Tara


    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy.

    Copyright © 2022 Feels Like Home Blog

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    SettingsAccept
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT