More Deadly Than AIDS
His story compelled me to research further, as he begged me to let everyone know how easily they could become infected.
He Begged me to Tell Everyone
I spoke to a young man, his body wracked with pain. He stated that he had just gotten out of intensive care, and the very bed he left, was now occupied by his daughter. He stated they were healthy, but aren’t now. She may not survive, and he may never be the same. It was hard not to shiver as he told me his story and begged me to tell everyone I knew to be careful when out and about.
He Became Deathly Sick Overnight
It seems he caught an infection called Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus. He told me that he suffered from burns over 98% of his body and impaired vision. He asked me to think about tennis balls. He painted a picture that caused me to shudder. He said if you were to take two tennis balls and cut them in half, and then fill them with pus and blood that would be equivalent with the swelling he woke up with. Place one over both eyes and one in the middle of your forehead. He stated that he went to bed in a clean bed, feeling fine but in the middle of the night awoke to an excruciating pain. He took his hands and pried his eyes open to find his way into the bathroom and once there tried to peer at himself in the mirror. This is what he saw. Two very swollen bloody eyes filled with puss and a growing puss knot in the middle of his forehead.
Blood and Puss Flew Everywhere
He remembered waking up in the emergency room hearing a doctor say, “I am sorry, this is going to be very painful, but I have no choice.” And then he told me the knot on his head was lanced and blood and puss flew everywhere as he screamed out in pain. He heard it splat on the face shield the doctor was wearing
What Did this?
He pleaded “Please tell everyone you can to be very careful about where they put their hands and to wash carefully and frequently.” I decided to look this up on line. I thought he told me it was a Mercer infection, but the browser knew what I was looking for and so did my husband who works in the medical profession. I don’t like to be misinformed or ill informed, nor do I want to panic for no reason, but the story he told me compelled me, as do the pictures I have unearthed.
pathmicro.med.sc.edu www.foogle.biz
http://www.staph-infection-resources.com/mrsa-pictures.html#pictures%20of%20staph
Found in Hospitals
East Valley Tribune published an article by Mary K. Reinhart in October 16, 2007 “Staph infection “super bug” strikes more often. In it you can read about a 72 year old woman who survived a triple heart bypass, but then her chest “exploded”. She contracted a raging staph infection where her surgery was beginning to heal. Fortunately it had not entered her blood stream and doctors were able to treat it before it spread any further. She was prescribed heavy doses of antibiotics. The way I understood the article she will be on intravenous antibiotics for life.
Life Long Antibiotic Therapy
“More than three months after her surgery, Thelma Horton is still on intravenous antibiotics and has a health-care worker come to her house every other day to dress her wound, which still stretches 5 inches long and 2 inches wide.” One of the things the young man mentioned to me is that he is now taking an enormous amount of pills daily and has them delivered to his home. Because he is no longer able to work he also stated that he may soon lose his home. He states he must always take antibiotics daily, and told me that he has been advised that this too is unhealthy, but he has little choice.
How can I prevent staph or MRSA skin infections?
The Center for Disease Control advises: Good hygiene helps prevent staph and MRSA skin infections:
- Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water.
- Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a proper dressing (e.g., bandage) until healed.
- Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or material contaminated from wounds.
Healthy Individuals Carry Bacteria
While bacteria that healthy individuals can carry on their skin or in their noses is commonly referred to as “staph” and generally minor, we should be cautious. They may appear as pimples or boils. Staph infections can spread into the blood, bones and lungs and sometimes are resistant to treatment.
More Deaths from MRSA than AIDS
At MedicineNet.com, I read “In 2005, More Than 18,000 Deaths Attributed to MRSA, CDC Reports” The site goes on to warn that more people in the U.S. are dying from staph infection MRSA than AIDS. It quoted CDC as its source, and then further warned that most of the cases were hospital-acquired. Granted this was printed October 16, 2007, and it is now May 15, 2009.
Spider Bite or MRSA?
http://www.staph-infection-resources.com
While researching MRSA, I also came across something else that really fascinating, at the above listed site:
“According to Tom Frank, Pharm.D., B.C.P.S., an assistant professor of family and community medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, if you think it’s a spider bite, get a culture test because what you are seeing is probably community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA). “
Dr. Frank went on to advise that probably 77% of those infections thought to be from spider bites were actually MRSA and advises patients to get culture tests performed for MRSA.
Wash Your Hands
There is a strong possibility that things have improved, but in the meantime, I am using soap and water more often, washing my hands for longer than 60 seconds and not touching anyone else’s pimples, boils or wounds without washing my hands thoroughly after. For instructions on proper hand washing read:
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/24351_the-myth-connected-with-antibacterial-soaps
It is not my intention to create a panic but to instill a more careful and cautious attitude, so that you might live a healthy and fulfilling life.
Liked it
CHAN LEE PENG | May 16, 2009 | Reply
This germ has long been circulated around the world. MRSA is also called Super germ. Its killing power is several times than AIDS.
I just would like to take this opportunity to ask you to care for your personal hygiene. HINI virus is not a FULL STOP, as it’s already mutated into many varieties. Make sure that you expose yourself as minimal as possible in the public places. If you can’t avoid to be in the public places, please take precautionary steps to keep yourself from being infected by flu-like symptoms or any germs like MRSA.
Well-composed article, sister!
BC Doan | May 16, 2009 | Reply
This is a scary disease! Great research, and eye-opening article!
Christine Ramsay | May 16, 2009 | Reply
That is horrendous. I didn’t realise how MRSA affect the body.
It makes you quite frightened of going into hospital these days. Good research and a well presented article.
Christine
Mr Ghaz | May 16, 2009 | Reply
Great post!..Thats really informative and well presented article about skin infection/ MRSA..nice pics too. LOV it..well done and thanks for sharing this great stuff.
Judy Sheldon | May 16, 2009 | Reply
Chan, thanks for adding your cautions. It sure shook me up.
BC, I wanted to make people more aware. Thanks for your support!
Christine, it seems that it can attack the body in various ways, but he told me there is no cure. While many were infected in hospitals two years ago, he had not been in the hospital prior to getting it. He went to the grocery store, came home, ate dinner and went to bed. They told him that it came from handling a grocery cart.
Mr. Ghaz, thank you also for your warm support. Let’s hope we can wipe this one out!
nenen | May 16, 2009 | Reply
very nice article. so informative. thanks for the share.
Darlene McFarlane | May 16, 2009 | Reply
This is the kind of thing that doesn’t get around too much but needs to be known. With hospitals downplaying it’s severity, it gives the impression that staff infections are uncommon occurrences and that there is no need for worry. When we know the truth we are able to take the proper precautions to save ourselves from the horror this poor man and his daughter experienced.
Thank you for the information, Judy. It needs to be told and I will pass along the link in my email.
Great jpb!
Alexa Gates | May 16, 2009 | Reply
that’s scary… Yikes! Thanks for the information
Judy Sheldon | May 16, 2009 | Reply
Nenen, thanks for your support.
Darlene, I believe hospitals downplay the seriousness to avoid bad publicity but we deserve to know so we can take precautions. Thanks for your support. His words haunt me.
Alexa, it is scary. Thanks for reading.
Take care & God bless.
Jenny Heart | May 16, 2009 | Reply
Great informative article. My sister had a staff infection years ago. She’s never been the same sense. Scarey but oh so true.
valli | May 16, 2009 | Reply
That is scary. Thanks for the detailed info about this terrible disease.
Judy Sheldon | May 16, 2009 | Reply
Jewels, I am so sorry to hear that. I wish something could be done to eradicate disease. Until then we must be oh so careful.
Valli, thanks for your support. It sure scared me.
God bless!
Peter Cimino | May 16, 2009 | Reply
Wow, this is really gut-wrenching and awful, besides down right frightening. Thank you for sharing. Well done.
Judy Sheldon | May 16, 2009 | Reply
Peter, thanks for reading and supporting. It is my hope and that of the young man to stop this infection in its tracks.
JohnKing | May 16, 2009 | Reply
Judy, many thanks for this information, I avoid hospitals whenever possible and clean thoroughly (I have had a “Phobia” if you will of germs since I was young, I now see this phobia as justifiable) but nonetheless thank you for sharing this information and the excellent advice
Judy Sheldon | May 16, 2009 | Reply
John, I know we don’t want to walk around like Monk with hand sanitizer, but then maybe Monk (the television character) is not far from wrong. In fact he may be on the right track. lol
Joshua Miguel | May 16, 2009 | Reply
oh boy, this is scary. this is the first time i heard MRSA. thanks for sharing this to us Judy.
Mourning Starr | May 16, 2009 | Reply
Monk is a good show, we could all take a lesson from him
Judy Sheldon | May 16, 2009 | Reply
Joshua & Mourning Star
When I saw hand sanitizer in the supermarkets near the carts I thought it was because of colds and flu. Maybe this will help me get over being a shop-aholic. lol
Thanks for your support.
Ruby Hawk | May 16, 2009 | Reply
How horrible, I have heard of this but lets hope some cure is soon found. My niece caught a staff infection while she was in the hospital and had to go back to have surgery for that. It was worse than what she was in the hospital for to begin with.
nobert soloria bermosa | May 18, 2009 | Reply
how sad to see people infected by such horrible disease
Judy Sheldon | May 18, 2009 | Reply
Nobert, thanks for your comment – it is sad. I am hoping it encourages caution & hand washing.
quiet voice | May 18, 2009 | Reply
..Hi Judy, what an amazing article, very scary and very awful. The importance of trying to keep our hands clean cannot be over stated. Thanks for the information. Hoping a cure can be found soonto allieviate the suffering. Take care.
Judy Sheldon | May 19, 2009 | Reply
Quiet Voice, especially since we use our hands to rub our eyes and feed ourselves. I used to snack on food in the car coming home from the store. Sure you can wash your hands in the bathroom before you leave, but what are we touching before we get out to our cars? I don’t want to be paranoid but…
Thanks for reading & God bless.
dhika | May 20, 2009 | Reply
I hope we will never feel about That germ, Amin.. great artilce Judy..
Judy Sheldon | May 20, 2009 | Reply
Dhika, thanks for the comment. I hope you never come across this disease.
goodselfme | May 20, 2009 | Reply
You point out the stark need to be aware. Thank you for sharing so we can be in the know.
Agnes Chin | May 24, 2009 | Reply
Very scary, and worrying to learn about the kind of diseases. Thanks for making us aware.
Momma Tells | Jul 4, 2009 | Reply
Everything about this bug sounds horrible. Very descriptive writing, Judy!
Ruby Hawk | Jul 4, 2009 | Reply
another I like,
Judy Sheldon | Jul 4, 2009 | Reply
Roberta, Agnes, Momma Tells, & Ruby, thanks all, for the support. It is my hope no one contracts this disease!
kitty starwizard | Jul 21, 2009 | Reply
This was a good researched article and scared me to death. my roommate has multiple MRSA infections the last one in his eye. I was in hospital 2 years ago with what appeared to be congestive heart failure when they found MRSA in my lungs (which I believe I got from oral sex, i kid you not from my roommate) The MRSA in my lungs let in strep and flu and a bunch of other bugs, my lungs began to fill with fluid, I was on a bad med a beta blocker and i have asthma so I was wheezing somethiung terrible the pressure in my pulmonary artery went crazy putting intense pressure on heart which sent my heart in atrial fib and heart begin to fill with fluid. They gave me the big gun antibiotics and I was in hospital CCU for 6 weeks. The whole episode has caused me to have racing heart and I now have to take certain medicines for life. That’s what MRSA can do. Good alert on your part.
Judy Sheldon | Jul 21, 2009 | Reply
Kitty, I am so sorry you had such an awful experience. I hope something can be done for you.
Take Care & God bless!
Teves | Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
That is scary Judy…
Judy Sheldon | Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
Teves, it sure is. I hope they find a cure.