Drug Resistant Infections

[JustMyOpinion]

This is a sad story, and unfortunately becoming more common.

Mariana Bridi, 20, died at 2:30 a.m from complications related to a generalized infection caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the Espirito Santo State Health Secretariat said in a statement. The bacteria is known to be resistant to multiple kinds of antibiotics.

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28819520/?GT1=43001

[subdjoe]

Yep. And we will keep seeing more and more of these. All the antibiotic soaps, wipes, etc that were the rage for a few years (a decade?) can be blamed for this. Yes, the short term may have been fewer minor illnesses, but overall all they did was to breed healthier, stronger, more resistant bugs.

Ditto for our insistence that Drs. prescribe antibiotics for every thing. And that to cover their butts, they would routinely use the strongest they had. Now we are facing the unintended consequences of this. Many had tried to warn people about all of this, but were shouted down.

About the only time I have used the hand sanitizers is when I'm going to be in places where the only facilities are portapotties since there are usually no or minimal washing accommodations. Sometimes not even paper towels. For home use I would purposly avoid anything that said antibiotic on the label.

[Mink]

Wow, I just saw her on the news last night and they said she would make it throught the amputation. So sad.

[JustMyOpinion]

subdjoe, I'm sure you're right about the over use of anti bacterial everything. And, antibiotics are routinely over prescribed.

A friend of mine had knee surgery and got a staph infection. He was so sick he almost died, 8 surgeries later and a knee replacement he's finally on the mend.

I've been battling a respiratory bacteria of some sort for the last 5 years. I've had pneumonia several times, a lung biopsy and lavage, and of course several courses of Zythromax. We thought it had gone away but has reared it's head again, my CT scans show that whatever it is is back in full force, and until I get sick with pneumonia again (last time was Thanksgiving) they can't biopsy again to try and catch whatever this bacteria is and finally identify it. If I allow it I get a little freaked out, but I am a determined person and I don't intend to let it get me! Scary stuff we deal with these days...

[subdjoe]

Geez! The wonders of modern medicine, eh? Maybe you ought to try one of those vaporizers and do a 10% bleach solution and breath those fumes! Kill anything in there. <G> Or, maybe get some good scotch or brandy simmering and breathe those fumes.

When growing up we got athelets foot or ringworm (same thing really, just not on the feet), we didn't go get fancy creams. Dab some Clorox on in the morning, and again at night. Took about 3 or 4 days for it to go away.

[JustMyOpinion]

subdjoe, I don't think my pulmonologist would agree! ;D She thinks I have a weird form of bacteria that can only be killed by taking three antibiotics a day for 12-18 MONTHS! That's why they need to capture it because it would be careless to start me on so many antibiotics if not necessary. Yes, modern medicine has a long way to go.

[JustMyOpinion]

Here's a tidbit I found on the CDC website (podcast/type) regarding the use of antibiotics and super bugs:

www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/media/pdf/Antibiotics_long.pdf

Snippet:

[Darcia Johnson] Dr. Hicks, first, tell us about antibiotic resistance and why it matters?

[Dr. Hicks] Well, antibiotic resistance is one of the world's most serious public health threats. Antibiotic resistance means that an antibiotic may no longer fight an infection. This is really dangerous because, if some infections aren’t stopped by antibiotics, they can lead to severe or prolonged illness, hospitalization, and even in some cases, death. In the past 20 or so years, resistant bacteria have become more and more common. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can spread to family members, school mates and co-workers - threatening your community with infectious diseases that are difficult to cure and expensive to treat.

[Darcia Johnson] Is this a common problem?

[Dr. Hicks] Many people have recently become familiar with MRSA, which stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA is really dangerous because it’s resistant to certain antibiotics and can cause serious infections of the skin, lungs, and bloodstream. MRSA has become more common in the community, causing infections in otherwise healthy people and is just one of many examples of the bacteria that are becoming resistant to antibiotics.

[Darcia Johnson] My sense is that the public is aware that antibiotic use has its pros and cons. In fact, CDC has received a number of emails about this topic. Would you answer a few?

[Dr. Hicks] Of course

[Darcia Johnson] Jennifer asks, “What is the down side to taking antibiotics for a virus, if any? Is it dangerous?”

[Dr. Hicks] Well, bacterial infections can be cured by antibiotics, but viral infections cannot and they are very powerful medications that can have side effects. Every time a person takes an antibiotic, bacteria that normally live in our bodies are killed, but resistant germs may be left to grow and multiply. Repeated use of antibiotics can lead to an increase in dangerous bacteria that are difficult to treat. These are often referred to by the media as ‘Superbugs’. MRSA is just one example.

Anytime I get a cold my other half gripes that I don't RUN to the doctor to get antibiotics and the above article spells out why. Plus, good ole soap and water is better for you than antibacterial products since it doesn't rid your body of the "good" germ fighters on your skin.

[subdjoe]

Jan 26, 2009 12:54:46 GMT -5 JustMyOpinion said:

subdjoe, I don't think my pulmonologist would agree! ;D She thinks I have a weird form of bacteria that can only be killed by taking three antibiotics a day for 12-18 MONTHS! That's why they need to capture it because it would be careless to start me on so many antibiotics if not necessary. Yes, modern medicine has a long way to go.

Hey, ask her how many of those critters are immune to Cl. ;D