MRSA “The Superbug” Facts

The Disease

Staphylococci, or “staph” bacteria commonly live on the skin and in the nose, and usually do not cause any harm. However, if they get inside the body they can cause an infection. When common antibiotics don’t kill the staph bacteria it means the bacteria has become resistant to those antibiotics. This type of staph is called MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Antibiotic resistant infections are becoming more common in the community.

Symptoms

Most often, MRSA causes infections on the skin such as pimples or boils, sores may look and feel like a spider bite, however MRSA is not caused by a spider bite. If left untreated, these infections can get worse and spread to the bloodstream or lungs causing a very serious illness.

Types of MRSA — There are two ways you can have MRSA:

1. You can have an active infection

An active infection means that you have symptoms
You may have a boil, sore, or an infected cut.

2. You can be a carrier

If you are a carrier you do not have symptoms
You may still have MRSA bacteria living in your nose or on your skin

Treatment

Treatment of MRSA skin infections should include drainage of the wound (by your healthcare provider) when it is necessary and antibiotic therapy. Even though MRSA skin infections are resistant to certain antibiotics, in some cases specific antibiotics should be used.

Prevention

Keep your hands clean by washing them frequently throughout the day with soap and water or alcohol based hand sanitizer.
Cover cuts, scratches or scrapes with a clean bandage.
Do not share personal items such as towels, razors, or bar soap with others.
Tell your healthcare provider, if you have had a MRSA skin infection in the past.

Flu Facts

What is the flu?

The flu is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.
Most people have some natural protection from the flu.
A vaccine is available during the flu season to prevent you from getting the flu.

What is the “Bird Flu”?

The bird flu is also called the “Avian Flu” or the “H5N1 virus” .
The bird flu is caused by a flu virus that may occur naturally among wild birds .
This flu will cause death to birds and can spread from birds to people.
There is no human protection.
There is no vaccine available.
There has been NO documented person to person transmission.

What is the “Pandemic Flu”?

Pandemic is another word for a “deadly disease” .
The pandemic flu is a very powerful human flu that can cause a worldwide. outbreak of serious illness and even death.
This disease can spread easily from person to person because there is very. little natural protection
There is NO pandemic flu at this time!