Can methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus also called MRSA be spread through Blood or Blood Transfusions?

Some MRSA staph questions?

• Very recently I grew 3 boils, one on my left shin, one one my right thing, and the last one under my left arm that are very painful. At first I didn't think much of them (I thought they were spider bites) and continued going to class and work. It wasn't until one day when I was the shower and the one on my thigh started to discharge a yellowish pus and lots of blood. After that I went to the ER to get checked out. I was a little worried since the doctor did not take a culture (I think that's what its called) sample or a blood test and just told me it was staph. He then prescribed me Sulfa/trimet DS, I have stopped taking it since it was making me vomit and have a sun burn like rash that itched horrible, and also sever headaches. I didn't trust the doctor at the ER since he didn't run any test on me or even clean and wrap my sores, so I went to my regular doctor and she told me it was MRSA staph. At the moment I am not on any medication since they have yet to prescribe me anything new. They have also have told me little to nothing of what MRSA is. They basically told me not to worry and to just go back to school and work. I have gotten myself a little scared from what I have read online, but it seems that I should be fine since I do not have any serious illnesses. If any one can help me answer a few question I would be very grateful 1. How do you get MRSA staph if you are not in a hospital/nursing home environment? 2. If the limbs that are infected by staph are swollen is it dangerous? 3. What sort of medication is prescribed to fight MRSA staph? 4. How fatal is MRSA staph in people with out serious illnesses? 5. How contagious is it? I have made sure to keep hand sanitizer with me and Lysol so I do not infected anyone else.

• Answer:

  MRSA or Methacillin Resistant Staphlacoccus Areus was at one time found only in patients who had been hospitalized. It is now quite common in the community. Most people have this organism on their skin . It enters through a tiny opening and causes the "spider bite"like lesions you describe. In your area, it may be so commonly seen in the ER that the docs don't bother culturing and just treat it with Trimethoprim Sulfa. Studies have shown that the most important part of treatment is not the medication. It is the skin care. You should be using warm, moist compresses , using disposable materials such as paper towels or cotton balls. Apply them warm and dispose after they cool. Do this three times daily. After doing it, attempt to express any discharge by pushing on the area around the opening to squeeze out any pus that you can. Then cover with a bandaid or bandage if larger. Do this until you can no longer get anything out. If it scabs over and still feels hard and sore, soak it to get the scab off and continue the procedure. Wash your hands well. It would be good if you could do this wearing disposable gloves. In your home. Wash your laundry separately from others with hot water. Use a disinfectant to clean the bathtub or shower. Try to keep your things separate from others. Healthy people usually can heal quickly from the MRSA infections. MRSA often returns in people initially infected.