MRSA infection
The superbug bacteria
So what exactly is MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphlococcus aureus), the superbug that appears to be plaguing our hospitals? Is it really the health threat that it is perceived or is it simply a media frenzy without any substance?
What is the MRSA bacteria?
MRSA, is a strain of common bacteria, Staphlococcus aureus, one which most people play host to. Humans, often despite our hardest attempts, are covered with many billions of bacteria. Under normal circumstances these bacteria are of no consequence, in fact they are believed to play a beneficial role regarding our health. However this can all change when something untoward happens, if we become immuno-compromised or develop an open wound and it is then that our resident bacteria can cause infections.
MRSA resistance to antibodies
Normally these bacteria can be easily treated with antibiotics, however over recent years, our overzealous use of these drugs has led to the emergence of bacterial strains that are antibiotic resistant. Bacteria are clever and as they replicate can mutate to change their genetic make up. When attacked by antibiotic drugs, the few bacteria which escape being cleared can become resistant.
Staphlococcus aureus antibody resistance
Over the years a strain of Staphlococcus aureus has become resistant, initially to methicillan (hence the name methicillin resistant Staphlococcus aureus, MRSA) and then later to most other antibiotics. Therefore infection by these bacteria poses a significant health risk. As a significant proportion of the population carry this bacteria with no ill effects then they can easily pass it onto to people who are susceptible, particular the ill and infirm in hospitals.
MRSA and Handwashing
So is it the fault of lax cleanliness on the part of our hospitals or are we placing the blame unnecessarily in the handwashing of the NHS? Certainly hospitals are not as clean as they were in years gone by, however it is likely that the increase in MRSA infections is due instead to the number of visitors entering our hospitals who are carriers. Recently hospitals have introduce a handwashing regime where all visitors have to wash their hands in an ethanol soap before entering the wards.
Treatment of MRSA
So what happens when if you do become infected with MRSA? Well the good news is that presently most cases of MRSA can still be treated with vancomycin. A broad spectrum antibiotic however it is possible that before long MRSA could become resistant to that to. Instead we must rely on better measures in our hosipital for disinfection and the stringent use of alcohol handwashing by our visitors.
MRSA, methicillan resistant Staphlococcus aureus and handwashing
By Whatprice
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"have you tried tea tree oil - have tested this on bacterial plates and it is phenomenal and worth a go."
amanda
"I was diagnosed with MRSA at a local hospital recently. The medication given was bactrin and a sulpha drug for 7 days. The damage to both of my lower extremities, involving the areas just below the knees to the ankles included severe frostbite which damaged the muscles and soft tissue in the ankle to shin area. I was not given enough of the antibiotic to completely heal this infection.After researching the subject a little further I discovered that there were other drugs available to combat this bacteria(i.e.)amoxicillan and vancomycin. The bacteria started in small areas then rapidly spread. It has been ongoing for 8 months. If you read this information and respond to it, please add a comment or remark about further treatment or anything I can do to completely eliminate this bacteria from my legs. thank you for any help or suggestions. "
L.R.. from Pgh. Pa.
"I had surgery in Germany in a hospital founded in 1984. They have NEVER had any infection of any description ever! So why can European hospitals have these imaculate records and today I read a neonatal unit in Leeds has got 6 babies with MRSA. Its a disgrace"
Steve
"My father is in hospital and the patient in the next bed has contracted MRSA. I asked staff if my Dad could be tested to see if he had it too and was told that he wouldn't be tested for it because to test everyone it would cost the hospital too much! It was only discovered the man in the next bed had it as he was having a saliva test for another condition he had. Its a disgrace that cost comes before lives."
Mrs L Clark