Superbugs In Three States

[MistyM]

i've worked in long term care for years and have come across many patients positive for mrsa. in their bladders and in their lungs. i use oil of oregano every day to fight any viral or bacterial infection and have managed to stay very healthy all this time. i blame the oregano (plus i do take other things, like alot of vitamin D during flu season, because i live in the upper northern hemisphere and dont get sunlight in the winter)... i always always ask for a throat swab when my kids are sick, to see if they actually do have strep before filling their prescriptions. in the meantime i give them mom's old fashioned homeopathic treatment. lol.

 

[Herding Cats]

I thought I knew much about medicine from years of working in the hospital and being ill too but I never heard of MRSA. Please don't think I am stupid.

The first time it was brought to my attention was when Mom died a few months back as many of you know. She didn't die from that but it was brought up in the hosipital in FL a few times that they had to be careful.

Is MRSA new? I worked years ago and never heard of it, but in Clincial Nutrition. Also, is it more common in certain areas of the US as I am in the Midwest and it has never been discussed. What do I need to know, anyone that can share...

Thanks
Goz

Goz, this is a great article on MRSA. It's not "new", has been around since at least the 80s, but only now is becoming a serious concern, both in the hospital acquired (noscomial or HA - meaning caught in the hospital or healthcare setting) or community acquired. Read more:
http://www.bing.com/health/article/...ococcus-aureus-MRSA-Overview?q=mrsa+infection

I have to get some sleep, but I'll be around later this week if anyone has questions. I'll do my best to answer them. Superbugs are scary, but not scary like H1N1 was last year; at least, not yet. I deal regularly with folks who have MRSA/ORSA, and haven't caught it yet...and I think the reason is simply that I'm pretty healthy, wash a whole lot more than the non-healthcare worker, eat decently, and take vitamins. I've been exposed a lot, so...it's not an automatic illness, and unlike H1N1, it doesn't spread through the air; it's mostly contact...and that's always a harder transmission for a bug to make.

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[john's mom]

My son works in a jail and also works out at a gym. He had MRSA twice. His looked like a pimple or a bug bite, but was very red and sore. They did scrub down the jail, but probably don't do it on a regular basis. He saw a specialist the second time he had it and was on a cocktail of drugs that finally did the trick.

Goz, I would google it, because I don't know too much about it myself. This is a little bit from Wikipedia, there is much more there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methicillin-resistant_Staphylococcus_aureus


Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for several difficult-to-treat infections in humans. It may also be called multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ORSA).

MRSA is, by definition, any strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that has developed resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics which include the penicillins (methicillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, etc.) and the cephalosporins.

MRSA is especially troublesome in hospitals where patients with open wounds, invasive devices and weakened immune systems are at greater risk of infection than the general public.

 

[Gozgals]

Thank you Herding Cats.

I worked in one small hospital and a rather large one but I never came upon this MRSA till my mom died.

Now that I have read the article, I know why my brother was concerned when we were at the hospital over my mom's care.

This stuff scares the heck out of me. I have health problems and now I know why my Drs. never put me in the hospital. :blushing: I would catch all these types of diseases due to a weak immune system.

When I had a breast surgery, I caught a Staph infection and I was not even in the hospital overnight. It was not an easy thing since the whole breast and area was infected. They had to stuff rolls of cotton into the breast. What was even worse was the Drs. nurse would not let me talk to him and said it was common for the breast to blow up. I kept calling but to no avail. Finally, I went to a walk in clinic and they called the hospital. Talk about bad medical stories..

Thanks again Herding Cats.
Have a good evening.

Rates A+ for help

 

[Gozgals]

Thank you John's Mom.

Sorry to hear your son had this.
The information is helpful and I know that hospitals are not places to be and overuse of antibiotics does nothing for the immune system.

It must be terrible to get MRSA when one is in the hospital already. Not a pleasant thing.

Take care and thanks
Goz

 

[Betty P]

When I had a breast surgery, I caught a Staph infection and I was not even in the hospital overnight. It was not an easy thing since the whole breast and area was infected. They had to stuff rolls of cotton into the breast. What was even worse was the Drs. nurse would not let me talk to him and said it was common for the breast to blow up. I kept calling but to no avail. Finally, I went to a walk in clinic and they called the hospital. Talk about bad medical stories..

Me too! I contracted staph after my mastectomy and again later after reconstructive surgery. Both times required extensive IV anti-biotics treatment. The second infection took 4 months and 4 different types of anti-biotics to cure. Hospitals can be risky places to contract MRSA.

During my last visit to the same hospital for outpatient endoscopy, I noticed while in the prep area outside the surgery room, there were dozens of patients waiting on gurneys and dozens of docs, nurses and techs - none of whom wore gloves or washed their hands between checking patients. No wonder they have so many infections there!

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Me too! I contracted staph after my mastectomy and again later after reconstructive surgery. Both times required extensive IV anti-biotics treatment. The second infection took 4 months and 4 different types of anti-biotics to cure. Hospitals can be risky places to contract MRSA.

During my last visit to the same hospital for outpatient endoscopy, I noticed while in the prep area outside the surgery room, there were dozens of patients waiting on gurneys and dozens of docs, nurses and techs - none of whom wore gloves or washed their hands between checking patients. No wonder they have so many infections there!

See, that's why I am paranoid of hospitals. If you're not sick when you get there, you are when you leave.
But, what would we do without them.
Catch 22.

 

[Skittles]

I thought I knew much about medicine from years of working in the hospital and being ill too but I never heard of MRSA. Please don't think I am stupid.

The first time it was brought to my attention was when Mom died a few months back as many of you know. She didn't die from that but it was brought up in the hosipital in FL a few times that they had to be careful.

Is MRSA new? I worked years ago and never heard of it, but in Clincial Nutrition. Also, is it more common in certain areas of the US as I am in the Midwest and it has never been discussed. What do I need to know, anyone that can share...

Thanks
Goz

I've known about MRSA for quite a while. I'm not in the health field but read the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter as well as Nutrition Action from the Center for Science in the Public Interest. I likely heard of it first from one of those.

A google search of CSPI's domain brings up this 1998 report on preserving the efficacy of antibiotics. I skimmed the report and it references MRSA going back to at least 1975.

http://www.cspinet.org/reports/abiotic.htm

 

[SunnieRN]

SunnieRN said:

That's me...HC in da flesh. Had 4/4 contact iso patients today; one w/ C. Dif, the rest with MRSA. Very rough day, but hey...lots of learning and even some good times with my worst off patient (gsw x2, 1 in head...lots of tubes and dressings and MRSA-abscesses to drain...interesting and informative, and lots of good learning done).

I will tell you this...I drive with gloves in my car. Since I live in a large city on the west coast, there are often accident scenes. I do stop at them, but always glove up...not just to protect me, but to protect the actively bleeding person from whatever I've managed to acquire. MRSA is a baddie, for sure and certain, and yes, I do carry through my hospital practice into the real world practice; and make those around me do the same. LOL.

As for me choosing nursing, this is my 4th career - and it chose me. Long story, but after one particular experience, I **knew** I needed to change careers (again!!! sigh), and pursue what makes my heart sing. And that's nursing. So here I am, hopefully graduating in December...and loving every exhausting, stressful moment of it.

I'm in California.

The best thing is to:
a. If given abx, take the whole course. Don't save it for later...this is how the buggies mutate and get stronger against the germs.
b. Viruses do NOT respond to abx. Viruses are things like colds, flu, and so on. Viruses are built differently than bacteria and fungi, and have this hard shell-like thing on them; viruses are not even considered "alive", for the most part, whereas bacteria and fungi are. Totally different sort of medications for viruses, but it's not the Zpak or other abx. (If you get a secondary bacterial infection, that's a different story...but it's still not treating the actual virus).
c. Do not ask the Dr for abx every time you're under the weather. Instead, drink a ton of water, OJ, eat stuff with garlic in it, treat the fever if it's over 100.4 (that's my hospital standard), and get some rest.
d. If you do need abx, make sure you take the whole darned course. Like A says, don't save some for later. Use it now, even if you feel better.

Basic hygiene:
1. Wash your hands in hot soapy water for at least 30 seconds. Wash after toileting, before eating, and whenever you think about it.
2. Please, please, please dispose of used tissue in trash cans. Don't stick them in your purse, or your pocket...throw them out. People don't realize how many nasty buggies are on those things, and tuck them out of sight...until they clean out their purses/briefcases/pockets...and reinfect all over again.
3. Eat a balanced diet, and, if needed, take a regular multivitamin.
4. Get enough sleep.
5. Drink enough water.
6. If you don't feel well, stay home, rest up, and don't get the rest of us sick. I promise I'll do the same.
7. If a family member is sick, give them one set of utensils, wash them separately in hot, hot, hot soapy water, and give them that set again for the next time. Sounds dumb, but it does work at stopping colds/flu in a household setting.
8. If you get a cut or wound, clean it with povidone iodine *(unless you're allergic to shellfish; then use hot soapy water), bandage it well; change the bandage at least daily after cleaning it again with povidone (you can get this at the local pharmacy), and the instant it looks infected, get to a Dr. for a test of what is infecting it. The earliest caught, the quickest cured...

I'll post more if I think about them. But the most important thing is to get clean, stay clean...wash, wash, wash, and then wash some more.

(Sunnie, feel free to correct me...I'm still a student...)

Best-
Herding Cats

Fantastic advice!! You will be such an excellent addition to the nursing field!! I understand about nursing not being your first career choice. It wasn't my first job either. I'm so happy that it makes your heart sing!!!

CA took the threat of infection more seriously than where I work at this time. I am not sure if it is because this is such an overwhelming problem at this point, or what? I am surprised at how many people have no idea about MRSA even to this day. Yes, handwashing is the most important thing you can do. If you can't wash, use antibacterial gel. I wish they would test ALL healthcare personnel for MRSA. That would help stop the spread, but would cost the hospitals a LOT of $$$$.

Goz, this is a great article on MRSA. It's not "new", has been around since at least the 80s, but only now is becoming a serious concern, both in the hospital acquired (noscomial or HA - meaning caught in the hospital or healthcare setting) or community acquired. Read more:
http://www.bing.com/health/article/...ococcus-aureus-MRSA-Overview?q=mrsa+infection

I have to get some sleep, but I'll be around later this week if anyone has questions. I'll do my best to answer them. Superbugs are scary, but not scary like H1N1 was last year; at least, not yet. I deal regularly with folks who have MRSA/ORSA, and haven't caught it yet...and I think the reason is simply that I'm pretty healthy, wash a whole lot more than the non-healthcare worker, eat decently, and take vitamins. I've been exposed a lot, so...it's not an automatic illness, and unlike H1N1, it doesn't spread through the air; it's mostly contact...and that's always a harder transmission for a bug to make.

Best-
Herding Cats

Great article! I believe everyone should be concerned about super infections. That is different than worrying about it, just always practice good handwashing skills, avoid friends who are sick, encourage those who are ill to stay home from work and protect other members of your family from the member who is sick. Remember when Moms would expose all their children to chicken pox, once the first child contracted it? I even remember other children coming over to be exposed.

H1N1 and the types of people it affected is a good example of good practice. At our hospital, everyone was placed in isolation if they came in with symptoms, until they were cleared. Hospitals should be pre screening everyone for MRSA also. When the immune system is compromised is when a carrier can be affected.

Anyway, I'll stop rambling on. Just be aware of what is out there and how you can best avoid it!

 

[Claudette]

Hello everyone

The company I work for is a distributor of cleaning chemicals, among other things. One industry we sell to is Healthcare. Superbugs can be killed easily on hard surfaces, it's a matter of educating yourself on what kills them, and the right application. For example, you can't just wipe on, wipe off a sanitizing product. Sometimes it needs to sit for a whole 60 seconds. Also, any good sanitizing or disinfecting product will tell you EXACTLY what it kills. I haven't paid much attention to the disinfectants that are sold to the general population as I get a lot of that stuff from work, but stuff like Oust surface spray WILL NOT KILL SUPERBUGS. There are products out there that kill germs/diseases that I still don't know what the heck they are!

It is KEY for hospitals to know proper "cleanliness" for prevention. One must also keep in mind that over cleanliness at home is DETRIMENTAL to a child's developing immune system. They need to get sick to build up an immunity. Kids, and adults too, need to be exposed to germs to some degree to survive. For example, did you know there is a germ that is flesh eating that is commonly found on the human body?

I don't know how much the above is common knowledge, as I speak to it daily, but thought I would let everyone know that superbugs can be prevented inside hospitals

 

[Filly]

What should we all do?

Use the excellent advice that everyone has given. For an added dose of protection you can do like my germ freak brother does.

Never use a pay phone. Don't put your hands on railings, or the rubber thing on those escelators. Push elevator buttons with your elbow. Flush public toilets with your foot. For heaven's sake don't use your hand to put on the faucet in a public restroom. Oh be sure when you go to dry your hands you pull the paper towels farthest from the bottom. Take extra to open that bathroom door. Universal keybords forget about it. Gym equipment you better do a whole ritual cleansing before sitting on it or touching it.

Most importantly don't get sick and have to go to the hospital. Kimberly mentioned that one. Oh and avoid kids at all times. He's lucky he is single and no children. Never shake hands. I could go on and on.

Trust me we make fun of him, but I have adapted some of those practices. Common sense. I can see why people that have suffered a nasty infection would be like my brother. He had quinsey (sic). Hardly anyone gets that anymore. He ended up in hospital for two weeks.

What happened to Universal Percautions? In the old days if you had Staph you were on lock down in a hospital. In the olden days with certain infections they put a sign on your door at home.

The antibiotic craze gets me as well. My mom developed an Auto Immune Disease that is rare. Bullous Pemphigoid. It's nasty. Adoxa is the drug of choice. That's to be sure there's no secondary infection from the huge blisters. Well, after 9/11 and the Anthrax scare that Adoxa was tough to obtain. Generic Doxycycline is basically the same but she needed the Adoxa. That's the first time I ever experienced a scare that you couldn't get medication without a tough time.

Sending positive vibes to everyone that isn't well. Get that garlic. Have some Apple Cider vinegar just for the heck of it.