MRSA – Superbug 101

Most people have heard about the recent rash of MRSA staph infections that have been found in schools and other communities in the United States. However, not everyone knows exactly what this illness is, and whether they should be worried about it.

MRSA stands for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The name “staph” comes from the name of the bacterium itself, Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA is so named because it cannot be treated by most of the known antibiotics – making it possibly deadly to those who are infected. MRSA is affected by some of the most powerful antibiotics, however, so there is a chance that it can be treated once a person is diagnosed with this illness.

About one-third of the world’s population has staph bacteria on their skin or in their nose. However, not all of these people are actually infected or sick with the disease. If you have staph on your body and are not showing any signs of illness, you are said to be “colonized”, but this does not mean you have MRSA. These healthy people can be dangerous, however, because even if you are not infected with MRSA, if you are colonized, you can still infect other people.

MRSA staph infections do not occur in most people who come in contact with the bacteria. However, if you have a wound or other way for the bacteria to enter your body, there is a possibility of getting ill. Most healthy people can fight off a staph infection, even MRSA, but those who are older, or very young or have poor immune systems can get seriously ill. The scariest form of MRSA is CA-MRSA, community-associated MRSA, which can cause people to get serious skin infections and even pneumonia.

In order to avoid getting sick with MRSA, it is important that people wash their hands frequently and disinfect themselves if they may have come in contact with MRSA. This is especially important for healthcare workers. People who are sick with MRSA should definitely not be in contact with others if at all possible, and they should wear masks if in public. Most people with MRSA end up hospitalized and under strict isolation – which means that they have less of a chance of spreading their staph infection to others.

If you think that you have MRSA you should see a doctor as soon as possible, and you should notify people you have come in contact with if it turns out you are infected. This way you can fight the chance of an outbreak before it starts.

John Grimes is with AllTerrainco.com – makers of natural santizer that kills the MRSA Staph Superbug in less than 15 seconds.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Grimes