Does MRSA go away?

3 years ago i was in intensive care for many different problems, i had an open incision on my abdomen, and they think thats how i contracted MRSA, they said it was in my blood, i was given Vancomycin (sp?)...but they said i would always have to tell Drs when i go to a hospital that ive had MRSA in my blood....well i was going to school for something medical, and we were around blood, so i mentioned to my teacher i had MRSA, well she freaked, said i couldnt be around other peoples blood..etc...well then she called an infectious disease dr who said if i still had it, i wouldnt be walking around healthy...ive tried reading up on it, but no webpage gives a conclusive answer to my question...if ive had it in my blood, does that mean it will always be there? am i a carrier or something now? can i work in the medical field? will it ever go away? thanks everyone!

ok, im still confused though...if its "colonized" what does that mean? where does it colonize? if its colonized can i get the active infection again? can i spread it to other people? thanks again!

I believe that usually MRSA can be resolved. However, if it becomes colonized, you have it for life. Being colonized makes you a chronic carrier although you have no active infection and feel no ill effects yourself. I don't know why the ID doc said that if you have it, you'd be sick. You would be if you had active infection but not if it turns out you're colonized. You need to determine if you are "clean" or if colonization has occurred. Speak to your doctor about it. If necessary, nasal swabs and blood cultures can be taken.

And yes, high school student "J", Vancomycin will kill MRSA. So will several other antibiotics.

You don't allow e-mails. Colonized means the bacteria have taken up residence and are in too great a number to get rid of but they're not causing damage or active infection. Hope you happen to see this. Report It

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus will always present a problem wherever you go.

If I were you, I wouldnt donate blood, not until a screening comes back MRSA neg.

Besides, vancomycin has not been proven to kill the MRSA pathogen, I dont think.

ok, tell your teacher to calm down. Here are the answers to your questions:
1. You are only a carrier if it has colonized. Lots of people are colonized with that organism but are not ill. The only way to know if you are a carrier is to get cultures done. (rectum, nose, vagina, etc.)
2. There should not be any exclusion criteria for employment if you are not actively ill.
3. if you were treated for it, it should be clear of your bloodstream, if it were still there you would be really sick or dead.
4. Will it ever go away? Hard to say without knowing if you are colonized or not. You will need testing to find that out. THAT is why you need to tell Dr's that you have had MRSA... your status as colonized or not has not been established and they need to be aware.