MRSA During Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy has been very successful in treating most types of cancer. It does have many side effects, including lowering the resistance to infection. This means that people going through chemotherapy are more likely to acquire MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which is a bacterial infection that doesn’t respond to most anti-biotics. Amgen Inc. and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have joined together to study the relationship between MRSA and chemotherapy. The study spans 3 years (2009-2012).
MRSA risk during chemotherapy
The risk of being infected with MRSA increases when someone is in chemotherapy because the treatment kills white blood cells that fight off infection. The risk is highest right after the treatment and decreases as the white blood cells recover and are able to fight off infection again. This is often short lived because treatment involves several rounds of chemotherapy. The further into treatment, the risk increases of a MRSA infection increases because the side effects of chemotherapy increase. This occurs because the body recovers a little less after each treatment. Weight loss, weakened immune system, inability to exercise, and lack of appetite all affect the body’s ability to fight off infection. There are also increased visits to a hospital or other medical facility, which increases the risk of exposure to the “superbug”, MRSA.
Preventing a MRSA infection during chemotherapy
The same MRSA preventive measures that someone who is not going through chemotherapy can be used by anyone receiving chemotherapy treatment. It is just more important for the cancer patient or anyone else with a medical issue that requires chemotherapy treatment. These are ways to prevent a MRSA infection:
- Clean and cover any breaks in the skin and skin abrasions. This includes burns
- Sanitize surfaces that may be exposed to bacteria
- Shower after use of shared exercise, medical, and play equipment
- Be observant of anything on the skin that resembles MRSA
- Communicate with your healthcare professional
- Keep immune system built up as much as possible
- Have healthcare workers wash/sanitize hands before exams and procedures
- Monitor white blood counts and use extra precautions when low
Treating a MRSA infection during chemotherapy
In a weakened condition, a chemotherapy patient may be at a higher risk of MRSA spreading and also of side effects of the antibiotic treatment that is required. Hospitalization may be needed while the patient is treated for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Chemotherapy may need to be postponed until the infection is under control with medication and or surgery.
A person who is going through chemotherapy treatment may face a bigger challenge when they have to fight a MRSA infection also. The best thing to do is to avoid becoming infected with the bacteria. If it is acquired anyways, prompt and aggressive treatment is needed. To catch a MRSA infection early, regular examination of the skin is important. Any fever should be reported to your healthcare professional immediately so that MRSA can be ruled out or diagnosed early to avoid complications, the spread of the bacteria, and begin MRSA Treatment.
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