It's Immune to Several Antibiotics: Keep from getting infected

[kustomfitness]

For a long time doctors have been prescribing antibiotics left and right for all kinds of infections.  There are several problems with this practice:

1. Often doctors really are not sure what the infection is at the time that they are prescribing the antibiotic and therefore are not sure which antibiotic would be most effective (if any).
2. Anything that is left alive after the use of the antibiotic is discontinued will be immune to further treatment by that particular antibiotic.  (Usually there are very few of the species left alive after treatment, which is why you feel better.)
3. Many people stop using the antibiotic after they feel better.  The purpose of having an extended dosage period is to ensure that as few of the species as possible are left active.  Stopping use early will result in a larger number of immune specimens.
4. While the number of infectious organisms left after treatment are very few, they can build up.  Over the very long period of time that antibiotics have been used, the number of immune species has grown to a very significant number.

Now we are faced with an infection known as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).  This bacteria has developed an immunity to Methicillin along with many other common antibiotics.  The infections began in hospitals, but recently have also been frequently appearing in the community with people not recently hospitalized (referred to as community-associated MRSA or CA-MRSA).

Many people are carries of the bacteria without actually being infected.  In most cases a person will only become ill with MRSA if the bacteria enters beyond the skin through a cut or wound for example.  They appear in the form of zits or boils on the skin and may remain harmless.  However, if you have a blemish next to a wound, you should not wait to see if it develops; get it checked by a doctor.

If you have MRSA, it can usually be identified in time to get help.  It will probably appear in the form of a pimple or bug bite (some form of a red bump) that grows to an out-of-proportion size.  It will be accompanied by pain and often cold or flu symptoms.  The area will appear red and highly irritated.  Left too long and the infection can spread over a large portion of the body.  There is no harm in getting checked if you show even one of the signs of a MRSA infection; especially when many cases left untreated result in death.

There is good news however, the infection can be treated.  Doctors can simply diagnose the problem with a tissue sample.  There are still some antibiotics that work, but which one is most effective will have to be determined by your doctor by testing a culture with several antibiotics known to be effective in some cases.  Most who have consulted their doctors early on in the infectious stages have turned out well.

People who workout in public gyms or who are involved in contact sports are at an increased risk (which is why you are finding this article on Kustom Fitness).  There is probably no need to stop these activities as long as you follow a few simple rules for staying safe.

• If somebody at work or who goes to your gym is diagnosed, make sure the facility has been disinfected.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid letting others touch your face without first washing their hands.
• Cover up your wounds.  Again, having the bacteria on your skin is not in itself harmful, but it the bacteria is allowed to go beyond the skin you will be faced with a problem.
• Always use a clean towel at the gym.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, mouth, and other open cavities.
• Do not share personal items.

Remember, if you think there is a chance that you have become infected and are showing signs of MRSA or have an unusual blemish, get checked out as soon as possible.  This infection is not a major health risk as long as you are careful and follow the rules above.