MRSA Balance of Fear and Action

The initial panic attacks of MRSA are dying away unless it is in your school, your area, or your home. Good, clear and unambiguous teaching have come to the front of the picture

Wash your hands.
Shower after sports.
Do not share towels.
Do not share razors.
Do not sports equipment.
Cover all open wounds.
Dispose of soiled plasters and bandages quickly.
Take care of the family pet, wash hands before and after you handle them and lookout for cuts and abrasions.

Seems too easy but MRSA is not airborne so it is passed on by contact. The contact may be in a sports match or simply playing in the back yard. Shower afterwards even if it seems to be no big deal to be sweaty. MRSA will get you without adequate hygiene.

Only about 15 of MRSA infections are caught in the community, but if you find a wound of any size that is pussy and will not heal, get it checked out by a doctor. Do not demand antibiotics but if all that is necessary is for the puss to be drained then take that option.

Overuse of antibiotics among the human population and among farm animals has had an effect of the resistance of MRSA to antibiotics. At present the overuse has not been effectively measured. The vast majority of all antibiotics consumed are by farm animals to keep them healthy in congested farm conditions.

About 85% of MRSA infections are in hospital. So when you go to hospital, make sure you have at least showered that day. Make sure your armpits are covered (MRSA likes to live there). Wash your hands before you see your friend or relative. Wash and fruit you take in with you. Do not bring in MRSA with you. If you are visiting two patients then wash your hands between the two of them. When you leave the hospital, wash your hands before going out and driving your car, and shower and change when you get home. It may sound like overkill but better that than carry the more virulent community MRSA to your friend or relative

What will be the next health scare? Bird flu? SARS? Another bacteria? It does not matter. The first priority will be to equip yourself with information about the problem. The second priority will be to keep a balance between the scaremongering on the news and the more balanced views of the health professionals. If you are ever in doubt contact your doctor and ask for his advice.