The Health | MARCH, 2019
issue: superbug
12
The menace that is MRSA
Whether MRSA is at large or still in control, there is no denying its adverse effect on us. After the
reports made by the victims of the massage parlours came alight, we were able to track and talked to
some of them. Let these serve as cautionary tales for us to keep safe from bacterial infection
Ong Kian Kong
“I
’ve never had an experience in getting a
massage, this was my first time. The first few
days after the massage, my legs were itchy
and painful. After 10 days, it was getting really
difficult for me to walk. At the hospital, but because
I went around midnight – there was no specialist
so I was given antibiotics and was told to come
back after 5 days if it became worse. Unfortunately
my leg swelled up. I went for an operation and
found out it was MRSA. After the proper course of
antibiotics were given, I felt better. I had to return
regularly to wash my legs. It took roughly around 2
months to recover.”
Getting a massage can be relaxing but
it’s best to stay at home when you are ill
or have any pre-existing conditions.
Chen Wai Sun
“I
hadn’t gone for massages in quite some
time and this place was recommended by a
friend. After a few days, I discovered there
were abscesses on my legs. At the first clinic I went
to, I was given treatment but there was no effect. I
then went to a skin specialist. Actually by then, the
wounds became worse. However there was still no
signs of improvement.”
“A friend recommended me to the clinic which
was ran by a military doctor. The doctor then
confirmed with me that it was MRSA after a
blood sample was done. I then had to go through
intravenous infusion to deliver the antibiotics
into my system. Till today, I still have to return to
the clinic to properly wash my legs. I actually am
diabetic and have some heart issues, so treating
MRSA was quite tough. The doctor also told me
that if I am came in too late, I might have gotten
my leg amputated because it was almost fully
colonised by the bacteria.”
David
“M
y wife and I would regularly go for
massages. My wife got a full body
massage and I took a leg massage. As
soon as I came back home, my legs were beginning
to feel very itchy. On the second day, both my legs
started to swell and I developed a fever. At the
first clinic, the doctor suggested it was probably
sensitive skin and gave me medicine. But after 1
week, things took a terrible turn – there was pus.
It was getting very hard for me to walk. Also once
I finished my fever medication, my fever would
sky rocket again. I visited another clinic and the
doctor said that my situation was very serious and
referred him to a hospital.”
“The specialist attended to my needs. He told
me that it was serious and admitted me on the
spot and I was to undergo surgery the next day.
After the operation, we knew the result – MRSA.
But I kind of guessed – because I had to be isolated
under doctor’s orders. After a couple of rounds
of antibiotics and washing, then only I fully
recovered.”