The Gorilla has been hearing a lot about a recent strain of Staph infections being spread throughout the country. Just today, a 17-year-old student died from a treatment-resistant staph infection, prompting officials to temporarily shut down 21 schools in Virginia in order to keep the illness from spreading. The boy developed Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, which seems to resist common forms of antibiotic and penicillin treatments, and can sometimes be deadly to humans. According to officials, in recent weeks, Staph infections, including the serious MRSA strain, have been spreading throughout schools nationwide. The infection is spread from skin to skin contact or by using an item of someone who is carrying the infection; most likely someone with an open wound. The deadly strain is showing up in gyms and locker rooms, where athletes, who possibly have cuts and abrasions, are sharing equipment. This is a scary concept to the Gorilla, and his heart goes out to this boy’s family at this time. It makes the Gorilla wonder what can be done, if anything, to protect our children at school, especially if these infections are resistant to most treatments.
Oct 16
October 16th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
This is a consequence of a history of patients pressuring their doctors for antibiotics to cure common ailments (sometimes like the common cold!!) and doctors being too lenient and not disciplined enough to simply say no and not issue a prescription. The antibiotic-resistant strains will increase over time (guaranteed).
October 16th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Interesting point LA. I’ve got 3 kids under 5, and I’ve found that doctors are increasingly reluctant to give antibiotics, probably for the very reason you articulate. One other comment - you won’t find too many docs giving out antibiotics to treat the common cold. A cold is viral, not bacterial, in origin. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections.
October 17th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Thank you M Kier. I stand corrected.
October 18th, 2007 at 5:56 am
L.A. is absolutely correct! The proper procedure is for the doctor to take a swab (of the throat or whatever area is affected), have it grown in a cullture medium, and see what antibiotics it is sensitive to (if any), then perscribe the appropriate antibiotic if any is warranted. This eliminates “shotgun” treatment of bacterial infections which are not sensitive and virtually all viral infections. This procedure takes two or three days, and unfortunately, our society is in too much of a hurry to do the proper thing; thus, we get MRSA, etc.
This same mentality has a lot to do IMO is why eighth graders are starting to have sex (frequently with multiple partners), and our answer is to provide condoms! (see other Gorilla topic).