MRSA in my breastmilk!!!!!!!

[amymarx]

I have posted on here about how I have been suffering from breast/nipple pain for a while now.
I was constantly told that it was thrush but I new something wasn't right as none of the treatments have worked.
I finally got referred to a breast feeding coordinator at my local hospital and she said it could just be a painful let down but took samples of my milk and swabs around my nipple to test for any fungal or bacterial infection.

I got the result back today and have been told I have MRSA in my left breast (I had mastitis in it a few weeks ago) and that it's in my milk!!!!!

I'm so upset and i don't really know what to think!!!
The specialist on the phone said she spoke to the biologist, a consultant, my GP and a pedeatrician and they said that it is ok for me to continue bfing as me or baby are not showing any signs of the illness but she said it is in my milk so it will be passed on to him. She said that it has been in my milk for at least 3 days (when the samples were taken) and could've been there since the mastitis so even though it's going through my milk LO is fine so continuing to feed him won't do anymore harm. But she also said that some women will stop bfing or 'pump and dump' until the infection has cleared
She told me that the tablet to treat the MRSA can cause said effects in LO such as diarrhoea which can lead to dehydration but it is still ok to bf whilst on them as they wont have any longterm side effects.
I'm just soooooooo confused I feel like having a nervous breakdown!

Its basically up to me whether or not I continue bfing but I have no idea what to do. One part of me is saying well I've been feeding him all this time I've been infected and he's fine so what harm will it do if I continue to bf him then another part of me is saying Jesus Christ there is MRSA in my breast milk and if he were to get infected with it it could be potentially life threatening

I'm so pissed off that I had to insist on having to see a professional about this and it took so long before I got to see somebody. and if I hadn't have persisted and got the samples taken then it would have got progressively worse for me and possibly LO and Would have ended up with us both in hospital or even worse

Sorry just needed to get this all of my chest, I really need some support!

 

[austinsmom]

He's already been exposed to the germ. And he's receiving the antibodies from your milk (as well as the germs from the infection), which he WON'T get from formula.
I would just take the antibiotics, and carry on with nursing.

 

[patch2006uk]

Exactly what austinsmom said.

If he's already exposed, the best thing to do is keep giving him your antibodies through your milk. It's scary, but at least if LO does get sick now, you'll know what it is and seek the right treatment super fast!

Hope you get it cleared up soon

 

[BattyNora]

He's already been exposed to the germ. And he's receiving the antibodies from your milk (as well as the germs from the infection), which he WON'T get from formula.
I would just take the antibiotics, and carry on with nursing.

WSS

So sorry hun, hope that any reaction to antibiotics isn't too rough.

 

[summer rain]

There was another lady on here who went through similar; apparently the various types of staph bacteria can mimic thrush but require a completely different treatment. From my understanding mastitis is most often caused by staph bacteria, the MRSA staph bug is so-called just because it is resistant to a certain antibiotic. I'd advise you to read this article; it is more aimed towards HCPs so does have some technical language but it may reassure you

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0915/p727.html

The overall message of the article is it is the best thing to continue to BF and aside from one case where a premature and possibly already ill baby died from breastmilk containing MRSA; there are not any other cases documenting any risk to the baby from this bacteria. xx

 

[Bumpontherun]

So sorry, sounds like you're having a really rough time I agree with the other ladies. The thing to remember is that your milk is going into your LO's stomach where the bugs are probably all being killed by stomach acid so the chances are that the MRSA probably hasn't done him any harm - it doesn't sound like he has an infection.

Good luck - I hope the antibiotics clear it up without too many problems

 

[DarlingMe]

Sorry you are going through this! I know MRSA can be very persistent and Lives on some surfaces for up to 3 months. I know we use special cleaning supplies in the hospital for it. I would look into what you can purchase to kill it at home. Any pumps, bottles, nipples, pacis, bras, nursing pads, or burp rags could be infected.

Not trying to add misery to your diagnosis but I see so many patients with re-occurring MRSA infections. I would hate for this to happen to you! Hopefully some good antibiotics and sterilizing at home will get rid of it.