Wednesday, October 17

MRSA/COLDS/FLU - Staying Healthy

You've probably heard the reports - we aired one last night at 5 profiling a local family - about MRSA ..the super strain of STAPH that responds only to a handful of antibiotics. Part of the problem stems from the over prescribing of antibiotics and our not taking them as prescribed .. but that's only part of the problem and scientists are scrambling to figure out why we've seen such a rapid increase in cases - and why MRSA made the jump from hospitals to the general community.

What is clear - hand washing can spare you from diseases like this . .including, colds, flu and stomach bugs.

First off .. we've got to wash our hands - not just wave them under the faucet.
Rinse, lather and scrub 15-20 seconds - or the time it takes to sing 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' twice.

If you're using those antiseptic gels, don't be stingy .. use a half a teaspoon on the palm of your hand and then rub your hands together, covering all surfaces until they're dry.
For some good hand washing directions check out http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-washing/HQ00407

yeah, I know, you're laughing .. but honestly, it's no laughing matter.

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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hi Benita, I respect and enjoy the
work you do.Your panel presentations with subject experts
and patients is very informative.
The call in segments are also very helpful. Now on to my comments.
Your cohost today kinda questioned
the 'big deal' all of a sudden with this MRSA topping news. Unless
you have nearly lost someone from this infection you really can't appreciate its complications. It all started in the hospitals. My
40 yr.old son underwent back surgery at St. Mary's Hos. in Troy
Sept. 2005. After high temps, vomiting, diareha and much pain he was released after 1 wk.. 57 hrs.
later he was rushed into emergency
surgery for scraping and antibiotic
direct flushing of L4,5&6 rods and
graph. 20 days later he was release
to home nursing help. He had 3 months of IV and stent delivered
antibiotics. Dr. Joel Moses, an infectous control specialist was called in. At that time a new antibiotc was introduced called
Zosin and one other.
My son has never recovered completely. The powers that be knew about MRCA for a couple of years, but not until someone dies, the tough questions are asked,
adolesants are diognosed and parents ask how this happen are we
informed, the public warned and the schools take action. The hospitals have known and so have many Dr.'s.
While it was mostly after surgery patient's in hospitals, who were told "it happens" where it manifested its devastation, the hospital administrators were reluctant to have the news public.
Like many other abuses in our system secrets are kept to keep the peace until someone speaks out.
Thank You for your forum.

October 18, 2007 11:33 PM

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