Health

Don’t Believe the Hype About MRSA

By Vic ⋅ January 3, 2008 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Subscribe By Email ⋅ Post a comment

Guard your children; stay at home, MRSA is on the prowl! Recent headlines would lead us to think we’re doomed. The media loves stark, scary headlines. That’s how they get our attention. But, could it be true? Should we be afraid?

Missing from these stories are important facts. For instance they don’t report that that MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) or, Mursa is a strain of Staph (Staphylococcus) and Staph has been around for eons. They also don’t report that Mursa usually manifests as a skin infection that can often be treated by simply administering topical antibiotics and covering the wound. Finally, they don’t report that Mursa is a form of Staph that’s resistant to penicillin and its derivatives, but there are antibiotics effective against it.

During the 1940’s when penicillin was used to cure everything from VD to the common cold, Staph developed resistant strains and Mursa was born. Initially it was exclusively the big bad bug found in hospitals. Today hospitals around the world still battle it, but a few years ago it escaped into communities. Thus the big news story about school kids developing Mursa infections.

Here’s what you need to know

It’s true that Mursa can be a nasty bug, but usually when it takes up residence on our skin; it lives benignly without us ever being aware of its presence. Mursa prefers those moist areas on us like our nose, armpits, penis, or vagina. There are some estimates that up to 30% of us tote the Mursa super bug around on us. But wait, before you race out and douse yourself with bleach or buy a bubble suit, let me ease your concern. Though it’s true that MRSA can kill you, so can a whole host of other organisms. So can a car. So can a tree falling on your head. So can lightning, a shark, a bear, a lion, a tiger, you’re angry neighbor, a spider, a snake, a flood, an earthquake, and lots and lots of other things many with far greater likelihood than Mursa.

Staph, including Mursa, is only life threatening when it becomes systemic, which is rare. Usually MRSA manifests as a sore that may resemble a rash, spider bite or boil. So, all sores should be treated just in case a Staph bug (Mursa or otherwise) is the cause of the wound. Slather the area with antibiotic ointment and cover it to prevent contamination. And for crying out loud, if you treat a wound on yourself or someone else, wash your hands with hot soapy water or use an alcohol wipe.

If a sore doesn’t heal or if you spike a fever or feel ill, go see a doctor right away. If the illness falls on the tail of a sore that doesn’t heal properly, insist on a culture to identify the infecting organism. A misdiagnosis is what carries perfectly treatable patients to an early grave.

As in most situations, the most vulnerable to the dangerous systemic infections are the very young, the very old, and the immune deficient. There’s a clue here. Keep your immune system in tune.

The best way to prevent the spread of MRSA is the same as for any other microbial induced disease. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Oh, and did I mention, wash your hands. This is particularly true when you’re out in public since Staph can survive on surfaces for an hour or so after they have been contaminated. Therefore, after touching counters, grocery basket handles, door knobs, elevator buttons, gym equipment and so forth., it’s a good idea to wash your hands before you chew that tasty fingernail or shove a goodie past your lips.

If you have kids, they aren’t going to heed any advice about hand washing and they aren’t going to keep their grimy little fingers out of their mouths. However, they are going to share towels, washcloths, food, and beverages with nary a care. For them you need to watch for symptoms, treat open sores right away, and make sure they eat right and get plenty of exercise so their immune systems are in top shape.

When you read those scary articles in the paper or hear them on the news, don’t panic and immediately sound the alarm to all your friends and relatives. Deal from facts, not fear. Don’t let fear guide your life. It only adds stress and stress weakens your immune system.

Tidbits

Learn more at:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/staphylo/staphylo_FAQ.htm#q25
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca.html

How to get it

• Skin to skin contact with an infected individual
• Opening in skin such as hangnails, cut, and abrasions
• Contaminated items such as towels, washcloths, and clothing
• Contaminated surfaces
• Poor hygiene

Where it is most likely to be found

• 85% of invasive Mursa infections were healthcare related
• 14% of all Mursa infections are community acquired

(Statistics from the Journal of the American Medical Association 2007;298(15):1763-1771)

How to prevent it

• Wash hands after being in public and before touching any open sores.
• Wear pants when working out at gym to put barrier between skin and equipment.
• Practice basic good hygiene
• Cover open wounds that would allow Mursa access

Staphylococcus Aureus