MRSA Staph Infection a Real Threat

Everyone is in danger of contracting MRSA. It is up to each and every individual to learn about what MRSA is and how to protect yourself.

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a staphylococcus or "staph" bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics. Staph bacteria are normally on your skin and in your nose, usually not causing problems. Staph bacteria only cause a problem when they cause infection. MRSA is unusual because it cannot be treated with certain antibiotics such as methicillin. MRSA is sometimes referred to as a staph superbug.

MRSA has become a huge concern for people in and out of the medical profession.

For medical staff, MRSA can sometimes go undetected until after exposure has already occurred. This is why basic precautions are routinely observed by all medical personnel.

Everyone is suspected of being MRSA infected, whether they are or not. Staff wears protective gear when providing direct patient care.

For non medical people it can be a daily problem. Your child could be exposed at school and then bring it home to everyone else. You could come in contact with it basically anywhere that people are. Of course, the more intimate you might be in your association, the higher your chances of infection.

MRSA is spread from person to person, through casual contact or through touching contaminated objects. It is frequently spread form the contaminated hands of someone that has MRSA. It is usually not spread through the air like viruses, unless the person has MRSA pneumonia and is coughing.

It used to be that MRSA infected only people that had chronic illnesses. No longer, now MRSA is common in healthy people as well. In fact is that it is now so common that virtually everyone is considered contaminated.

MRSA bacteria are occurring because antibiotics are used too often or not used correctly. It is common for patients to insist on antibiotic therapy for their children or themselves for any illness even viruses. They are usually told by their physician that this is not the correct treatment but they are not pacified and continue to insist. These people usually get what they want. So antibiotic over use is weakening people's immune systems. Bacteria can outsmart antibiotics so that they are no longer effective. This is why MRSA and other Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are sometimes called "super bugs".

You can prevent this debilitating disease. Hand washing is the number one defense. Keep your skin intact. It is your first barrier to infection. If your skin is injured, KEEP IT CLEAN and keep your filthy hands away from any sore. Even mosquito bites have the potential to become infected with MRSA. If you keep your hands clean, you have most of the battle won.