DYK? MRSA

Did you know that MRSA stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus? According to Wikipedia, it was discovered in 1961 and is now widespread in hospital settings. It is known by several different acronyms:

MRSA may also be known as oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ORSA) and multiple-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Strains of S. aureus that are non-resistant to methicillin are sometimes called methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) if an explicit distinction must be made.

Although MRSA has traditionally been seen as a hospital-associated infection, community-acquired MRSA strains have appeared in recent years, notably in the U.S and Australia. The abbreviations CA-MRSA (community-acquired MRSA) and HA-MRSA (hospital-acquired MRSA) are now commonly seen in medical literature.

So why ask the question? Because I am concerned about the recent outbreak of MRSA in schools on the east coast, most notably Virginia, where a teen recently died from the infection. From an Associated Press article:

Ashton Bonds, 17, a senior at Staunton River High School, died Monday after being diagnosed with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, or MRSA, his mother said.

- snip –

Ashton went to Bedford Memorial Hospital on Oct. 4 after complaining of a pain in his side, his mother said. He was sent home after doctors ruled out appendicitis, but was readmitted three days later and transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Last week doctors diagnosed Ashton with a MRSA infection that had spread to his kidneys, liver, lungs and the muscles around his heart.

Early Thursday morning, Ashton had to be sedated and put on a ventilator. He was about to undergo surgery to drain the infection from his lungs when doctors detected a blood clot near his heart. [His mother] said the clot was inoperable.

So what can you do to keep MRSA out of your environment? Try these top ten tips from MRSA Notes. They are listed in reverse order.

10. Use disposable razors.

9. Regularly clean the surfaces of your home, and don’t forget your bathtubs and showers.

8. Reduce your use of antibacterial products around your house. The best way to get rid of bacteria is to wash it down the sink, not partially kill it with chemicals.

7. Learn about antibiotics and when they are appropriate to use. Consider changing your lifestyle and letting your body deal with illness as much as it can rather than taking an antibiotic for everything that ails you.

6. Do not pressure your doctor to prescribe antibiotics.

5. Bathe very regularly.

4. Do not share towels.

3. Change your dishwashing rag/sponge every day. If you don’t want to throw out your sponges every day, try a microfiber washcloth and use a new one (and a new dishtowel) every day. By the time they start to stink, they are already riddled with bacteria.

2. Avoid any elective surgery.

1. Wash your hands well, and frequently. Obsessively, even.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I will be shopping today for some disposable razors and some non-antibacterial soap. I will also be cleaning my bathroom. Stay healthy!