Revisiting MRSA 2007 Epidemic: The Superbug MRSA

Recently I wrote an article for Associated Content about the MRSA infection. It has had the most page views of any of my articles. Just recently this "bad bug", which is caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria--often called "staph"--is back making headlines as new outbreaks occur across the country. This is one of the first germs to outwit all but the most powerful drugs, and it can be fatal.

Staph bacteria is commonly found on the skin and in the nose of many of us. It is estimated that a third of the population has this bacteria normally on the skin and in the nasal passages. If you are one of these individuals you are termed a s being "colonized". This is NOT the same thing as being infected with the MRSA infection. You will not be sick , but it is possible that you can pass the MRSA infection to others.

MRSA is normally harmless unless it enters another person through a cut or a break in that individual's skin. Normally, only minor skin infections occur in healthy individuals, but in people with compromised immune systems or in the elderly, the result can be devastating as it develops into a serious or deadly MRSA infection.

The most important way to prevent MRSA infection is by proper hand-washing hygiene. The following are other ways to keep the MRSA bug at bay:

- Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.

- Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.

- Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels, washcloths, razors, or clothing.

- Wash soiled sheets, towels and clothes in hot water with bleach and dry in a hot dryer. In 2005, MRSA infections occurred in over 94,000 individuals. MRSA is reaching epidemic levels in some parts of the U.S. as of Fall, 2007. While MRSA is resistant to penicillin and penicillin-related antibiotics, most MRSA infections can be successfully controlled by alternative antibiotics like trimethoprimpsulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, tetracycline and a few others.

Some signs and symptoms to watch for that may indicate a staph skin infection are:

· A red bump that may be pus filled. Sometimes this is mistaken for a spider bite.

· Warmth.

· Pain.

· Swollen, red, tender skin lesions.

If a physician diagnoses a staph infection and the symptoms continue for more than two days, the infection could be caused by the MRSA bug. The above symptoms may be coupled with the following:

· Little to no improvement with antibiotics after 2-3 days.

· A rapid spread of the infection.

· A previous infection with MRSA.

Other precautions help prevent the spread of MRSA infections. These include covering all wounds with a bandage to help prevent the spread of infection to others and wearing gloves when doing wound care. Also, always maintain good hand-washing hygiene.