Our world now is far more different than before. If youconsider evolution perhaps this is the answer to some questions why changes andmutations took place.
Due to the widespread use of life- saving drugs came up the rise of drug resistant bacteria. MRSA a Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus is more common than expert expected. Accordingto Center for Disease Control and Prevention drug resistant bacteria was onceconfined to a hospital setting but now has become prevalent in a broadercommunity.
MRSA belongs to a genus of bactria andthere are more than 30 types called Staphylococcus. These bacteria can be foundin adults at about 30% mostly in the skin and in the nose. Most people whocarry this bug are healthy though they are said to be colonized but notinfected. The most infectious one is the Staphylococcus aureus, this gets intothe body through the break of the skin such as cuts, scrapes or burn. Thoughhealthy adults not suffer much on the symptoms but people who are immune systemchallenged like old aged, children, cancer patients, people with blood relatedillnesses and HIV or AID patients were at risk. MRSA as superbug is a drugresistant though it responds to a more potent antibiotic such as vancomycin.
Death rates are higher sincediagnosis is not easily recognized unless bacterial culture has done eitherinfection was caused by MRSA or ordinary staph Bacteria.
MSRA usually confined to ahospital and other health care facilities like nursing homes and dialysiscenter. However, it has been observed it occur to a person with weakened immunesystem who were taking multiple antibiotics and have undergone invasive procedureslike intravenous catheters and surgery. This form also spreads to crowdedconditions and a skin to skin contact especially they are exposed to cuts,abrasions. Most likely this kind of infection spreads by poor personal hygienesuch as infrequent hand washing and a habit of sharing contaminated items liketowels and other personal toiletries.
According to a study antibioticresistance develop when bacteria undergo genetic changes in order to surviveand reproduce, microbes must adapt to their environment like humans do. Whenintroduced to a certain antibiotic bacteria mostly likely to survive when tendto undergo genetic mutation that helps it resist the drug. This mutation leadsthe bacteria to develop strands to protect them selves against antibiotics thatcan harm them by making an enzyme that will deactivate the antibioticsencountered and all the of this genes will be passed on to the entire bacterialpopulation to multiply that is resistant to that drug.
The process speed up if the doctorsprescribed antibiotics unnecessarily since by killing some bacteria antibioticscan promote the growth of drug resistant ones. That ones that has developedgenetic mutations. An example mentioned here was like giving patientsantibiotics who has viral illnesses such as colds and flu for which they areineffective and a critically ill patients often receive multiple antibiotics,this tend to increase most resistant bacteria which may then transferred toother patients in close quarters.
Other contributory factors werein agricultural practices, antibiotics used and mixed into animal feed toprevent spread of diseases and promote growth. This can cause strains of bacteriato develop and passed on to people who eat undercooked meat or raw eggs. Antibioticssprayed on fruit trees may lead to selection of resistant bacteria. Residues left of unwashed fruits may eradicatesome of the good bacteria in our intestinal tract and select more virulent strains.
Like the previous H1N1, SARS, Malaria,Dengue and Yellow Fever all has developed new stands and mutated to more virulenttype. This superbug a drug resistant infectious bacterium has been on the riseand is not only alarming to the healthcare setting but also in the community wherein crowded places like schools, athletic center, prison cell etc.
Prevention:
The best and only preventivemeasures is frequent thorough hand washing. This must be enforced strictly in all settings, hospitals, kitchen,schools, restaurants and other populated facilities.
The use of prescribed antibioticsmust be strictly followed prudently. Take exactly as directed. Never store unused antibiotics for future use
Healthcare staff must surveyMRSA, isolate patients with MRSA infection and make sure environment is clean.
Proper medical protocol oninvasive procedures like use of antibiotic coated catheters
Proper use of gloves withdisinfectants and waste management
If you were hospitalized makesure visitors washed their hands before entering the room and after leaving theroom, if possible wear mask, gowns and gloves. Follow hospital policy and rules
Carry a small bottle of handsanitizer when you don’t have access to soap and water.
Don’t share personal items liketowel, razors, sheets, athletic clothing and other personal equipment.
Keep cuts, scrapes, abrasionclean and cover with sterile bandage.
Shower frequently especiallyafter working out and wear clean clothes always.
Source of Information:
Healthcare Magazine (Middle East Edition)
Essential Information for MedicalProfessionals
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