There are many things in this world that can do damage to our bodies. We can break a leg, get a cold, and have allergies as well as other things. However there are a lot of things that can have a very strong negative effect on our bodies, and most of this comes from bacteria, which causes certain diseases. One of the most deadly diseases you can get is the MRSA Virus.

Now you might be asking yourself, what is the MRSA Virus? MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureu. MRSA is a variation of the common Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which causes staff infections. It’s known as a Superbug, meaning that it has evolved into a bacterium that is immune to anti-biotics. The virus was first discovered in 1961 in the UK, a few years after we started taking the antibiotic Methicillin to treat the S. aureus bacteria as well as other harmful bacteria, this is how it got it’s Methicillin resistant name.

Ever since the virus was discovered, it has rapidly become more and more deadly. According to a report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, MRSA infections reached 127,000 in 1999 with 11,000 people dying from it. The virus started out as only a hospital acquired infection, but it’s now showing up everywhere and is now known as a community acquired disease.

Becoming infected with MRSA can lead to a multitude of different symptoms. It all depends on the part of the body that is infected. These can include surgical wounds, burns, catheter sites, eye, skin and blood. However, some symptoms can be very obvious, while people carrying the virus can show no symptoms at all. However, even though they do not show symptoms. MRSA is incredibly infectious so it’s important to get diagnosed as quickly as possible. There are things that you need to look out for that can make you aware of the MRSA infection. Symptoms can include skin becoming red with warmth, swelling, and having boils and blisters. Other symptoms include having chills, a fever and nausea.

The biggest problem with the MRSA virus is the lack of awareness in the medical community as well as the general public. Not many people know about this incredibly dangerous virus and could take the symptoms listed above with a grain of salt. If you are experiencing these symptoms or feel something more serious might be going on, consult your physician as soon as possible.

You’ve probably seen the recent headlines about this menacing “super bug” ravaging through hospitals, gyms, and even schools.

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This is a fancy way of saying that an MRSA staph infection is resistant to most antibiotics, and thus, harder to treat.

The important thing to remember is that MRSA isn’t new. The threat has been around for many years, but a recent report from the American Medical Association highlighted the number of deaths it caused in 2005 (nineteen thousand). That report, combined with the untimely death of a 17-year-old student due to the infection, sparked fear in the hearts of many parents and hospital patients.

MRSA Symptoms

One of the reasons many cases of MRSA go untreated is that the symptoms are fairly common among several other illnesses. Some of the most common MRSA symptoms are simply flu-like in nature or, in some cases, red pimples or boils that seem to last longer than they should.

Still, if you feel you may have been exposed to the bacteria, you should visit your doctor immediately at the first sign of any trouble. If caught early enough, almost every case is fully treatable.

MRSA Prevention

Of course, the best way to deal with MRSA is to simply prevent it in the first place. And, it’s actually easier than you might expect:

• Wash your hands. It seems easy enough, and you’ve been hearing it since you were a kid, but it really is one of the most effective ways to prevent MRSA, in addition to several other illnesses.
  

  “It is not glamorous but it is very true — hand hygiene is by far the best means to prevent the spread of all diseases,” said Dr. Arjun Srinivasan, an epidemiologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Cover up. Cover all scrapes, cuts, or any other open wounds with bandages and/or band-aids. If MRSA makes its way into your bloodstream, that’s when it can quickly become potentially fatal.
• Ban the barefoot. If you frequent your local gym locker room, be sure to wear sandals (even in the showers). This will help keep your feet from coming in direct contact with bacteria others may have left in your path.
• Wipe it down. Always carry a towel with you when you workout, so you can wipe down any equipment that others may have inconsiderately left sweaty.

Nearly every case of MRSA is spread by direct contact, rather than through the air, which is why good hygiene is the most important and effective way to stay healthy.

Have you or anyone you know been infected by MRSA?

Hospitals (as well as nursing homes) have long had a MRSA (Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) problem.

Historical Perspective of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Hospitals

The development of resistance to antimicrobial agents is not new. Hospitals have long known about and monitored the resistance patterns of infection causing organisms. This is important information for them to know because the “hospital acquired” or nosocomial infection rate is something they must control to prevent the spread of MRSA among the patient population. Choices of antibiotics for hospital formularies are greatly influenced by this data.

The Present State of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Hospitals

MRSA in Hospitals is under constant surveillance. Together, the Infection Control staff, Pharmacy and the Microbiology Laboratory monitor the incidence of MRSA infections on a monthly basis looking for cluster infections, reservoirs and other signs of potential problems. This monitoring is particularly important to prevent the unnecessary spread of methicillin and other multiply resistant organisms. One way MRSA is spreads in hospitals is by person-to-person contact. This underscores the importance of hand washing as healthcare staff moves from room to room and from patient-to-patient. The news reports focus primarily on this method of transmission. What is not often conveyed in news reports is that MRSA can also be transmitted through contaminated equipment. These transmission agents are called fomites (any inanimate object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms). A contaminated environment can also be responsible for MRSA transmission.

The Future of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Hospitals

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections will result in additional budgetary pressures on health care facilities. Hospitals have struggled with cost containment and reimbursement issues. Although hospital acquired MRSA has impacted the hospital budget, now they will also be worrying about the budgetary impact of these new community acquired MRSA infections and taking steps to protect themselves from these outbreaks. The reason for these worries is simple and quite concerning: Medicare plans to stop paying for hospital the patient days resulting from hospital acquired MRSA infections. As the cost associated with hospital acquired MRSA can be quite high, the promise of nonpayment for these extended stays will force the hospital to protect themselves from this additional reimbursement challenge. Patients entering a hospital for any procedure can expect to be cultured (swabbed) upon admission to check their MRSA infection state. This procedures will allow hospitals to not only isolate these patients to contain the organism, but also document the patient infection state so they can assure payment for procedures rendered.

What Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Hospitals Means for the Patient

Patients vigilantly watch handwashing procedures as they are approached by hospital staff. Perhaps it would be wise to have your own MRSA status documented before entering a hospital to make sure you are not liable for the bills that may not be covered.

* MRSA represents Methicillan Resistant Staphylococcus Aureaus.

Most people have never heard of MRSA, but it is a very common germ, which belongs to the Staphylococcus aureus family. Totally harmless, this germ exists on the skin and in the nasal passages of about one-third of all people. Found mainly on broken skin, MRSA has the potential of becoming a life-threatening infection.

MRSA occurs most frequently among persons in healthcare facilities and hospitals. Furthermore, some patients are at higher risks for MRSA, such as: patients having prolonged hospital stays, patients enclosed in an ICU (intensive care unit) or burn unit, patients who’ve had recent surgery; and even those who’ve had minor hospital procedures such as urinary or intravenous catherization.

Purportedly, rough estimates of persons hospitalized each year for MRSA infections number as much as 100,000.

* Are you at risk for MRSA?

MRSA can be the key invader that causes abscesses; boils, pneumonia, bone infections, and can even contaminate cuts such as accidental wounds or surgical incisions made by catheters or other surgical procedures. Initially, MRSA is a local infection, but can rapidly introduce dangerous toxins into the body’s blood causing blood poisoning.

* How is MRSA Prevented?

Because MRSA is most commonly spread through skin contact, it can be widely contained by adhering to simple hygienic practices. Using proper hand washing and sufficient staff training can almost nearly eliminate the possibility of patients contracting MRSA. In addition, avoiding physical contact with other people’s wounds or contaminated wound material is helpful in preventing MRSA infection.

If you think you have a staph or MRSA infection, you should see your healthcare provider immediately. Delaying medical care can result in death.

As cited by the CDC, “MRSA is almost always spread by direct physical contact, and not through the air. Spread may also occur through indirect contact by touching objects (i.e., towels, sheets, wound dressings, clothes, workout areas, sports equipment) contaminated by the infected skin of a person with MRSA or staph bacteria.”

According to a report by the NewScientis.com news service, “…In the Netherlands, where meticulous hygiene and isolation procedures were consciously adopted, the MRSA rates have fallen drastically and the Dutch now rate among the best in Europe.”

* How is MRSA treated?

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), “…MRSA are susceptible to several antibiotics.” However, in recent times, certain strains of MRSA are resistant to often-used Vancomycin antibiotic.

In closing, MRSA is a preventable infection if good hygiene and isolation procedures are strictly observed. Having experienced MRSA first-hand with a close, family member, I have physically seen the life-threatening effects of this super-bug. On one hand, MRSA is a harmless germ, but on the other, it can render severe illness and even death. Speak to your healthcare providers about MRSA and ask what preventive measures are being taken to keep MRSA contained. The best way to prevent MRSA, is to be properly informed. Knowledge is key.

MRSA: the Silent Killer – Are You at Risk? © 2004 by C. Bailey-Lloyd

References:

1. CDC: [The Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA - cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/aresist/mrsafq.htm] MRSA – Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Fact Sheet

2. Health Protection Agency [London - hpa.org.uk] : Pamphlet – MRSA: Information for Patients (referred by Dr. Mark C. Enright, Senior Research Fellow, Royal Society University Research Fellow, (Univ. Biological Safety Officer), Dept. of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, United Kingdom]

3. New Scientist.com – Report: MRSA deaths up 15-fold in a decade, [newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994723]

The news reports are full of young athletes contracting the deadly mrsa superbug. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is showing up both at the high school and college level. The health risk to the students is tremendous and the the financial ramifications to schools is dramatically increasing.

Why School Athletic Programs Are Breeding Grounds for MRSA

The reasons methicillin resistant staph aureus thrives in the athletic program environments are numerous. Here are just a few:

1. Many athletic program sports are contact sports and MRSA superbugs are frequently transferred by person-to-person contact.
2. The name of the game in contact sports is to take out the competition and as a result, both minor and major injuries are the norm. These injuries provide a perfect entry point for MRSA infection.
3. Athletic program sports involve sports equipment that is difficult to clean and used repeatedly. Football gear and hock gear are the biggest offenders.
4. Moist, warm locker rooms are standard Athletic Program gathering places and MRSA thrives in this friendly incubator environment.
5. The sharing of weight-training equipment carries particular risk of skin exposure to MRSA.

What should be done about MRSA in School Athletic Programs

Both high school and college athletic program directors should take steps to assure that every precaution is being taken to protect the athletes from contracting methicillin resistant staph aureus and other superbug infections. All athletic equipment, showers and locker rooms should be sanitized regularly with the latest technology. Injuries should never be minimized. All concerns voiced by an athlete about an injury should be taken seriously with prompt and thorough medical attention. Failure to do these things could result in devastating student illness or even death. Additionally, the school risks exposure of another type – lawsuits. Already one such law suit is pending against a western college because of a MRSA infection that should have been treated earlier.

Parents have a key role in Protecting Athletes from MRSA

Parents and guardians should be asking questions of athletic directors and coaches. Ask about the sanitation procedures in athletic programs. Do not assume that proper precautions are being taken to protect athletes. Do not be afraid to ask questions about the frequency and method of cleaning all the equipment and athletic facilities. Don’t overlook the workout equipment in the weight training room. Challenge the system – the local school board and the college board of directors. Your children deserve to be protected from the dangers of MRSA while participating in school athletic programs

Well first off, unless you’re living under a rock, let’s get what MRSA is out of the way. MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It’s a type of bacterial cocci (microorganisms) found on the skin and noses of healthy people. It’s basically harmless. However, over time various populations of this bacteria have become resistant to a number of antibiotics. In the 1940’s penicillin was introduced and overused in the health care profession. This overuse is thought to be the cause of MRSA. MRSA is a staphylococcus aureus except that it has mutated. This mutation gives resistance to some of the drugs used to treat staph. infections. MRSA strands are resistant to methicillin, flucloxacillin, erythromicin, penicillin and ciprofloxacin.

Staph infections, including MRSA, are often seen more frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities who have weakened immune systems. This strain is referred to as hospital-associated (HA)-MRSA. Infections that occur in otherwise healthy people who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are known as community-associated (CA)- MRSA infections.

Roughly 75 percent of CA-MRSA infections are localized to skin and soft tissue and usually can be treated effectively. However CA-MRSA strains display enhanced lethalness. Unless detected early can spreads more rapidly and cause illnesses much more severe than traditional HA-MRSA infections, which can affect vital organs and lead to widespread infection. It is not known why some healthy people develop CA-MRSA skin infections that are treatable whereas others infected with the same strain develop severe infections or die.

MRSA most often appears as a skin infection, like a boil or abscess. It also might infect a surgical wound. In either case, the area would look swollen, red, painful or pus filled. If staph infects the lungs and causes pneumonia, you might have shortness of breath, fever or chills. MRSA can cause many other symptoms since it can infect the urinary tract or the bloodstream. Very rarely does it result in “flesh-eating” bacterial infections. These are serious skin infections that spread very quickly. While alarming it’s very rare, there have only been a handful of reported cases.

Both hospital and community associated strains of MRSA still respond to certain medications. In hospitals and care facilities, doctors generally rely on the antibiotic vancomycin to treat resistant germs. CA-MRSA may be treated with vancomycin or other antibiotics that have proved effective against particular strains. Although vancomycin saves lives, it may grow resistant as well; some hospitals are already seeing outbreaks of vancomycin-resistant MRSA. To help reduce that threat, doctors may drain an abscess caused by MRSA rather than treat the infection with drugs.

Infections caused by Staph or MRSA are usually mild, limited to the surface of the skin, and can be treated successfully with proper hygiene and antibiotics. In rare cases, if left untreated or not recognized early, MRSA infections can be difficult to treat and can progress to life-threatening blood or bone infections because there are fewer effective antibiotics available for treatment. So you can get better and in most cases, MRSA is easily treated. But since MRSA infection can be serious or — rarely — fatal, don’t ignore signs of infection and immediately see your health care provider.

MRSA is a scary bacteria that has been getting more media attention the last few years. It is essentially a bacteria that is resistant to the methicillin antibiotics. Roughly 19,000 people die each year from the infection. So, who typically gets it?

Who is infected by MRSA is a far trickier question than you might imagine. Why? Well, the question of who “has” it is a bit murky as well as what it is. Technically, approximately 30 percent of everyone has staph bacteria. Typically, a colony exists in your nose. Yes, it colonizes there. It is not, however, deadly in this form. Instead, it usually causes pimples or boils and can be treated easily. It is, however, easily transferred when you sneeze.

A more aggressive strain of staph bacteria has been generated over the years. This is known as MRSA which stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Now you know why the abbreviation is used! Regardless, this strain is resistant to certain antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin and oxacillin. In short, most of the common antibiotics. As a result, MRSA can lead to major skin problems and death.

Given the scary nature of MRSA, one really doesn’t want to get it. The good/bad news is the most common outbreaks occur in hospitals and healthcare facilities. On the good side, you are probably going to be okay if you stay out of them. On the bad side, you have an extra worry if you are ever hospitalized. The reason appears to be that those with impaired immune systems are most at risk.

MRSA outbreaks in hospitals are not a good sign. One goes to a hospital to get better, not sick. MRSA, unfortunately, appears to be making a move towards a wider audience. We are now seeing outbreaks of what is known as community MRSA.

Recently, there has been an alarming increase in MRSA outbreaks in areas other than healthcare facilities. These have included areas such as gyms where bacteria flourish. Regardless, the question was and is how MRSA manifested in these areas where otherwise health people gather.

The sad fact is there is a lot of hypotheticals and opinions, but no concrete evidence. The belief is the bacteria is easily transferable and effects people with reduced immune systems that are not aware of it yet. This is true for sports that even have little skin to skin contact such as fencing.

Who gets MRSA? Well, it is usually someone in a healthcare facility such as a hospital. The potential expansion to sports facilities is a troubling development, so keep an eye out on the news for future developments.

Is MRSA fatal? the question is being asked but many and answered by few in the medical community.

SO let me answer it for you. YES

Here is an except from a recent article I read

“All 21 Bedford County schools will be closed on Wednesday for a one-day cleanup in response to the death of a high school student who had an antibiotic-resistant staph infection.

School officials announced the cleanup today at a press conference called following the death Monday of Ashton Bonds, 17, a senior at Staunton River High School. School officials don’t know if Ashton was infected at the school, but don’t want to take any chances.

Bedford County, which enrolls approximately 11,000 students, has reported at least five cases of infections with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in its school system this fall, three at Staunton River and two at Jefferson Forest.”

To answer your question. Yes MRSA can be fatal. In many countries where there are very poor living conditions, MRSA is becoming more and more rampant. With the availability of only the generic antibiotics that does nothing to cure MRSA there have been many deaths that can be attributed to it. The MRSA sore has been sometimes attributed to bug bites and left unattended only to become far worse. It manifests itself as sores, abscesses, fever, large pimples, painfull red areas and also get into open cuts, wounds or surgical incisions. It can and has killed, both in the poor countries with deplorable medical facilities and in the US where medical facilities are considered modern.

MRSA Outbreaks in Health Clubs are Increasing

Everyday the news reports are full of information about MRSA (methicillin resistant staph aureus) outbreaks in the community. As MRSA crosses the threshold from contained hospital breakouts to the general population, the local health club is a prime place for unchecked person-to-person MRSA transmission. Protection from the risks of methicillin resistant staph transmission in the health club should be of great concern to everyone – health club members and health club business owners alike.

The Risk of Exposure to MRSA is Real in the Health Club Environment

We all know that health clubs are not the most hygienic places. If you stop to think about it, you might choose not to frequent workout rooms at all. Take dripping sweat from the diligent exercisers that frequent health club, add the normal hygiene problems associated with shared workout equipment, mix in the unavoidable locker room moisture and you have a perfect environment for MRSA to thrive – in effect, a gigantic incubator. The skin is the body’s first defense against infection, but everyone has normal breaks in the skin and injuries from day to day living. These seemingly harmless paper cuts, hangnails and abrasions can be lethal in combination with exposure to methicillin resistant staphylococcus and other antibiotic resistant microorganisms. The unavoidable dynamics that exist in every single health club across the country are methicillin-resistant disasters waiting to happen. Although the current health club practice of providing antiseptic wipes for swabbing equipment before and after use is admirable, it is by no means adequate.

MRSA Exposure Costs Lives

At the worst end of the spectrum of outcomes, MRSA infection can cause death to those unfortunate enough to become infected. The symptoms of MRSA infection are subtle enough to be missed on first pass. The very nature of a MRSA infection means that the antibiotic regimen simply may not be effective.

MRSA Exposure can be Costly to a Health Club Owner

There are so many unknowns for the Health Club owner. There is no way to know which client(s) may be carrying this devastating superbug. Health club owners can’t stop the sweat; there is no surefire way to make sure the equipment is clean between clients and the locker room is a virtual incubator for the growth of methicillin resistant organisms. Current practices for health club sanitation are most assuredly not sufficient to protect clients. Every health club owner should be asking what they can do to assure Health Club and locker room safety. The impact of having rumors of unsanitary condition or worst yet having a health club facility shut down by the department of health because of MRSA can result in financial ruin.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is no respecter of persons. At every level, we need to be concerned about how to deal with protecting clients against MRSA in the health club.

The news reports are full of reports of MRSA (methicillin resistant staph aureus) outbreaks in the nation’s school systems. The risks to students, teachers and staff are high if the spread of this resistant superbug is not checked. You can take steps to protect your student and yourself with some basic information.

Since the majority of children and young adults will participate in some sort of educational environment until the early twenties, it is imperative that parents be aware of the risks of MRSA Infections and how to deal with them these risks.

Community acquired MRSA can be transmitted from person to person through skin contact with an infected person, contact with contaminated surfaces and using contaminated personal items. MRSA can also be transmitted in a contaminated environment. Students who participate in athletic sports are at particular risk for MRSA infections including wrestling, volleyball, hockey and football. Shared athletic equipment is of special concern. Some colleges have reported MRSA infection outbreaks in residential dormitories. Although there are many recent news reports about these MRSA outbreaks, the fact is, there have been reports of incidences in the school setting for the last 5 years.

The protocols for how to handle MRSA outbreaks in schools vary from location to location, but generally, there is no requirement to report these incidents to the public health department. School systems will probably send letters home which describe what MRSA is and how it is transmitted. Schools may or may not choose to close the school and cancel events at their discretion. They may take this opportunity to educate students and staff about hand washing and wound care, send out cleaning crews to disinfect classrooms and high traffic areas. The current strategy is to boost the cleaning routine and hope for the best.

The real question is how do we know that the increased hygiene and sanitation efforts are sufficient to remove the risk. As they stand today, the procedures have not stemmed the tide of MRSA outbreak reports. It appears to be on a relentless rise, regardless of the educational efforts, hand washing, cleaning and sanitation procedures currently in use. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control warned that MRSA deaths could outnumber AIDS deaths in this country. It is interesting to note that methicillin resistant Staph aureus is not the only resistant superbug about which we should be concerned .

The safety of your child is paramount to you. Ask questions about the protocol if there is a MRSA outbreak in your school system. Is the method of sanitation aggressive, consistent, ongoing and certain to kill the MRSA organism? These are the questions we need to be asking the nation’s school and college boards.