MRSA And Things To Know Prior To Surgery
Posted on October 17, 2009
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MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) is called a “Super-Bug” because it is antibiotic resistant, and it can be many strains of S. aureus bacteria; it is not a virus. There are ongoing studies and efforts to develop new and better antibiotics, but it is a difficult task because the strains are always evolving and becoming resistant to more and more drugs. MRSA is most likely to be contracted in hospitals (hospital-acquired infection), and studies show that the rate of contamination is as high as 64%. Random studies were performed on common hospital surfaces such as elevator buttons, door knobs, floors and walls. The tests showed that 80% tested positive for evidence of MRSA. Projections are for six million, world-wide, cases of MRSA in 2010, and the death rated is expected to be over 30% This could be considered a global plague. Most of us know about MRSA, some of us know someone personally who has contracted MRSA, and some of us know someone who has died from MRSA complications. It is of grave concern that the treatment options are limited and there are sources of infection now coming from outside of the hospitals.
MRSA cases identified in a healthcare setting are referred to as healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). In the last 40 years, MRSA has become a significant problem in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, although it was found in 1945 with the advent of penicillin. In the early years, MRSA was treated with penicillin. Now is antibiotic resistant, which includes penicillin and many other antibiotics. Because many patients in hospitals and nursing homes are weakened from disease or surgery and have compromised immunity – they are very vulnerable.
Predominately, MRSA is spread by hand-to-hand contact, and would seem it would imperative to be on highest alert regarding proper hand-washing procedures and hygiene in all healthcare facilities. A relatively new source of transmission is the use computer keyboards, since the implementation of computer technology.
Additional strains of MRSA, identified as CA-MRSA (community-associated MRSA), have been identified since late 1990′s. CA-MRSA appears to have no relationship with healthcare settings and there were no at-risk patients that were sick, injured and immune compromised. CA-MRSA is very different from the healthcare-associated strain. MRSA can be carried by anyone, and it can be picked from objects such as keyboards and door knobs that are contaminated . Heaviest transmission seems to be from most concentrated in groups that are related to locker rooms, sports, gyms, military groups, prisoners, and other concentrated gatherings of people. According to a majority of research, MRSA occurs in our noses, and if it enters the body via injuries and open sores, then there is a possibility of fatal infections. You can avoid the likelihood of contamination by not sharing anything personal such razors and towels. Always use proper hand washing methods and bandage cuts, scrapes and abrasions.
Symptoms of MRSA can be fever, swelling, heat and pain around a wound or injury, headache, and fatigue. More severe conditions are infections in the bloodstream, joints, bones, surgical incisions, heart and lungs. Many cases will be not diagnosed because a bump may considered something as simple as a spider bite. If a bump or cut does not improve within three or four days, and if there are fever and flu symptoms, this can be MRSA.
The strains of MRSA are crossing the human and animal barrier. Reporting of infection in horses began to increase, and studies are showing that the infection can be passed from horses to humans and vice versa. In the Netherlands five years ago and then in Canada, there was detected another MRSA (ST398) strain in pigs, and now testing in the US has found this strain in farm workers and pigs. It is unclear, if this strain can cause a significant problem in humans, and if it can contaminate food supplies. If it were found that the ST398 can cause infections in humans, an entire new problem with MRSA contamination will develop, and this will further complicate the fight. MRSA can even infect our companion animals, and there is now a risk for our pets when they have surgery at the veterinary clinic. It is not determined if human contamination from pets is a risk for people.
If you are contemplating surgery, most especially elective surgery, for conditions such as lumbar and cervical disc problems, you should research all your options and investigate nonsurgical treatment options, because one major surgery risk is the MRSA contamination of hospitals. Many hospitals do not screen for MRSA, although screening could be done. However, if a patient tested positive for MRSA, even without symptoms, they would be isolated and this could lead to longer hospital stays. From there we could have overloaded, understaffed facilities with less careful hand washing, and more exposure to infectious people.
See what a national expert has to say about nonsurgical back pain treatment. visit Dr. Richard E. Busch III’s site on how to avoid surgery for back pain and neck pain and avoid needless risk.
categories: herniated disc, degenerative disc, back pain, neck pain, spinal decompression, back surgery, MRSA, nonsurgical treatment for back pain, chiropractic
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