How to protect yourself against "super bug" MRSA
The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has indefinitely closed down its children’s emergency ward due to the outbreak of Methicllin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), bacteria resistant to many forms of antibiotics. So far, the disease is said to have claimed the lives of three children who were on admission at the ward.
Here are a few pointers of the disease.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) also called multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ORSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body.
MRSA is any strain of Staphylococcus aureus 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 and nursing homes, where patients with open wounds, invasive devices, and weakened immune systems are at greater risk of infection than the general public.
SYMPTOMS
MRSA most commonly colonizes the anterior nares (the nostrils). The rest of the respiratory tract, open wounds, intravenous catheters, and the urinary tract are also potential sites for infection.
The initial presentation of MRSA is small red bumps that resemble pimples, spider bites, or boils; they may be accompanied by fever and, occasionally, rashes. Within a few days, the bumps become larger and more painful; they eventually open into deep, pus-filled boils.
After 72 hours, MRSA can take hold in human tissues and eventually become resistant to treatment. But it can also cause more serious skin infections or infect surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs, or the urinary tract.
Healthy individuals may carry MRSA asymptomatically for periods ranging from a few weeks to many years. Patients with compromised immune systems are at a significantly greater risk of symptomatic secondary infection.
WHO GETS MRSA?
Some people who risk getting infected are:
People with weak immune systems (people living with HIV/AIDS, people living with lupus, cancer patients, transplant recipients, severe asthmatics, etc.)
Diabetics
Intravenous drug users
Users of quinolone antibiotics
Young children
The elderly
College students living in dormitories
People staying or working in a health care facility for an extended period of time
People who spend time in coastal waters where MRSA is present
People who spend time in confined spaces with other people, including prison inmates, military recruits in basic training, and individuals who spend considerable time in changerooms or gyms.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
MRSA is spread by contact. So you could get MRSA by touching another person who has it on the skin. Or you could get it by touching objects that have the bacteria on them.
SOME PREVENTION TIPS
Surface sanitization; Alcohol has been proven to be an effective surface sanitizer against MRSA
Patient screening upon hospital admission
Hand washing with disinfectants and antiseptics
Use of surgical respirator
Proper disposal of hospital gowns
Isolation
Restricting antibiotic use
By: e.tv Ghana
Credit: Wikipedia/www.webmd.com
Finland, May 08, 2012
Researchers in Finland have developed biodegradable joint implants they say will bring permanent pain relief to arthritis suffe... 
May 03, 2012
A molecular change that switches genes on or off can pre-empt the onset of breast cancer decades before the disease develops.
Scientis... 
April 25, 2012
Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in malaria. This is the theme for this year’s World Malaria Day Emphasis has been placed on the ne... 