Don’t Let Childhood Cuts Turn Into Deadly MRSA Infections

Kids fall down and go boom all the time. We YOU Docs have six children between us so we know. Most scrapes and cuts heal in the blink of an eye. But some get infected, and some of those infections can turn deadly.

We're making scary noises here because MRSA -- the dangerous, antibiotic-resistant infection that's plagued hospitals for years -- is now multiplying in communities (where it's called CA-MRSA, CA for community-acquired). The number of children requiring hospital care due to MRSA, most community-acquired, has doubled since 2000.

MRSA bugs aren't rare. Actually, they're everywhere, especially in schools and gyms (and in gyms at schools, and, oddly, on your nose). Mostly they don't cause trouble. But when MRSA bacteria get into open wounds, it's serious. Here's how to put the odds in your kids' favor (and yours):

• Before you wash your child's cut and squirt on disinfectant, wash your own hands.
• Keep open wounds clean and covered.
• When your kid has a cut, stress the importance of good hygiene and frequent hand washing (including by practicing it).
• If you notice growing redness, swelling, tenderness, warmth, or pus, call your pediatrician. If it is MRSA, your doc may prescribe an antibiotic, such as clindamycin or trimethoprim/sulfa (common brands: Bactrim, Septra).
• Tell your kids not to share athletic gear and to clean gym machines with disinfectant wipes before and after using. You do the same.

What happened when three gyms were tested for MRSA? Watch this video.