The Deadly Spreading of the Superbug

The so called Superbug is a biological agent that causes very difficult to treat infections. They are two types of common infections, the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus HA-MRSA that are acquired within hospital facilities and the community-associated CA-MRSA infections, that are acquired outside the medical facilities. It is a variation of (Staphylococcus aureus), a common bacterium, which has the ability to survive the treatment with antibiotics, including penicillin and methicillin.

The antibiotics are not effective any more, in part by their overuse, the bacteria has become resistant. Many doctors are considering treating it with other medications but they are not to optimistic about it, because the germ can be resistant to the medications too, if they are overused. This bacteria is acquired in hospitals were patients are very susceptible due to their open wounds, and weakened immune systems. Inappropriate washing of hands by the hospital staff can spread the bacteria from one patient to another.

But of the two variants of bacteria, the CA-MRSA is giving the scientific a hard time in their attempts to stop its spreading across the USA. CA-MRSA is genetically distinct from the bacteria prevalent in hospitals; it can cause serious infections in people that have no connection to medical facilities.

The Sickness presents minor skin and soft tissues infections to a severe pneumonia which destroys the lungs so quickly that the person can die just 24 hours after the infection. The reason for this is that the CA-MRSA carry a cytotoxin called Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin that destroys leukocytes.

Scientifics are tracing this Superbug outbreak and they have found relation with an older form of Staphylococcus aureus that caused a pandemic more than 50 years ago. This infection was first found in a neonatal in Australia in 1953, then spreading skin lesions, sepsis and pneumonia worldwide. It was eliminated with the introduction of synthetic penicillins, like the methicillin in 1960.

Prevention:

The best way to avoid this infection is good hygiene. To prevent this deadly drug-resistant germ called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. The staph infection commonly appears on the skin as a red, swollen pimple that may be painful or have presence of pus. It can be spread by skin to skin contact or being in contact with surfaces contaminated with the germ. Follow these easy measures to be safe from these dangerous bacteria.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention advises:

Keep your hands clean at all times by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

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

Avoid being in contact with other people's wounds or contaminated bandages.

Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.