MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA
[pronounced “mer-sa”] has been receiving a
considerable amount of press of late. Many schools
have indicated they had found the bacteria and were
closing for a day or two so that the school could be
cleaned thoroughly. People hear the word and they
allow themselves to get into a frenzy. What many
people are not aware of is that while it can be a
dangerous infection it is also something that many
people have on their bodies. It may be part of the
normal flora of their skin. So long as people wash
their hands thoroughly after they are dirtied or after
they touch someone of something, and they do not touch
their mucous membranes-eyes, mouth, nose-then they
most likely will not get the bacteria into their
bodies and thus will not get sick.
Additionally, there are different forms of MRSA. Some
strains are more virulent and resistant to antibiotics
and others are not as problematic to get rid of if you
were to get sick.
The frenzy that many people may get into when they
hear the word MRSA may lead them to panic. Illness is
like anything else in life-you need to keep a level
head and be calm. Then you can make better choices for
yourself and your loved ones. Lastly-Wash Your Hands!

UMHS Press Release: MRSA
http://med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2007/mrsa.htm

Tuesday, November 06, 2007