I am really worried that I have golden staoh/msra and that i am going to transmit it and cause someone a lifethreatening illness that could eventuate in death.  My father is in a aged care facility and on a recent stay in hospital was found to have golden staph.  The doctor said that everyone can carry golden staph from time to time.   I went  to visit him a few time since on the last visit we were given now contact precautions by the staff.  I cleaned my hands when arriving but cannot remember doing so on leaving.I have read since how serious this can be and I am worried that I may have become colonized by the bacteria even though I have no evidence to suggest it.  i have read where it can live in the nose and now I am afraid to rub and touch my nose as I am afraid that I will spread the bacteria to someone vunerable.  Would that be possible or would you have to insert your fingers into the nostril where the bacteria is located?  Does every one have it in their nose or only those colonized in that area?  or is to do with the bacterial count in a particular area?  I see lots of people rubbing and touching as well as picking their noses with no intentions of washing their hands,  if it was such a risk why wouldnt there be health alerts.Other members of my family do not seem to be too concerned and said you shouldnt worry unless there is evidence that I may be colonized, but they havent read what I have read and what the consequences could be if you were carrying it and infected someone unknowingly.I have always been concerned with hygiene, but now I know this is lurking everywhere I find I am constantly aware and becoming obsessive about it as we are told to constantly wash our hands to avoid it.  I am worried I will be somewhere without the facility to wash after I have touched something that could be contaiminated I know you can us e antibacterial wipes or gel but you would also contaminate your purse delving for them.  Should I take my families advice and just use normal hygiene procedures as before until proven that I am indeed colonized or should I be over cautious and assume that I may be colonized.  Is the rationale behind hand washing to do with reducing overload of bacterial counts?  Is infection dependant on bacterial count as well?
K so let me tell you about what have mentioned as golden staph/MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium and is capable of causing mild to severe life-threatening infections. Initially it was susceptible to penicillin that is it could be killed by it but over a period of time it has acquired the property of not getting killed by penicillin that is it has become resistant. This property of acquiring resistance by organisms to various antibiotics is a cause of concern worldwide as infection caused by such organisms is difficult to treat. Hence, measures to control the spread of such organisms is followed worldwide. MRSA is one such bacteria which is resistant to many antibiotics including Methicillin and oxacillin restricting treatment options. MRSA carriage is seen in anterior nears commonly. So if you want screen yourself for MRSA carriage, do a culture sensitivity for MRSA screen from anterior nears. If its positive you have to use mupirocin ointment in your nostrils thrice a day for 5 days. Following this do a MRSA Screen again to make sure that its gone. We should definitely think about Chat Doctor. 