[Lani]

many sources of infection and some we can try to minimize eg, going regularly to the dentist

Usually it is larger implants like artificial hips and knees, plates and screws rather than surgical clips (usually like tiny staples) that can serve as a place for bacterial to hide out.

I don't believe Staph is normally found in the mouth. As long as you don't have open sores, have an abnormal white blood cell count and/or have abnormalities of your heart valves it is very rare for infections to spread from your mouth during dental work to the rest of your body. If you swallowed the germs your stomach acid would in most cases kill them.

The world is full of bacteria--some helpful (those in our intestines) and some which produce diseases in people. Washing our hands and (in my opinion) washing the clothes we wear in the hospital and spraying the shoes we wear in the hospital with disinfectant seem reasonable precautions considering the consequences of an infection particularly if you have lymphedema. Remember, your lymphedema should mainly make you more vulnerable to infection IF YOU HAVE AN OPEN WOUND, as your body does not have as functional a lymph system to filter out and destroy bacteria in that arm as it otherwise would.

Go out and have fun and don't worry about it unless you have an open wound. Then cover it, keep it out of the Jacuzzi and don't let teething children or grandchildren nibble on you! (dogs and cats have bacteria which we don't seem to be able to catch as easily)

Hope this helped!