MRSA in Schools

The CDC has just released a study that shows rates of MRSA staph infection are doubling.

Here is the statement that caught our attention:

“Contrary to the generally accepted view, community-associated MRSA strains may be spreading into the healthcare system rather than the other way around.”

This is not a good situation at all, but certainly understandable. Other reports have shown that the CA-MRSA strain is tougher than the HA (Hospital Associated) version. It stands to reason that the tougher strain will take over the weaker.

Here is the abstract of the study:

Hospital-acquired infections with Staphylococcus aureus, especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections, are a major cause of illness and death and impose serious economic costs on patients and hospitals. However, the recent magnitude and trend of these infections have not been reported. We used national hospitalization and resistance data to estimate the annual number of hospitalizations and deaths associated with S. aureus and MRSA from 1999 through 2005. During this period, the estimated number of S. aureus–related hospitalizations increased 62%, from 294,570 to 477,927, and the estimated number of MRSA-related hospitalizations more than doubled, from 127,036 to 278,203. Our findings suggest that S. aureus and MRSA should be considered a national priority for disease control.

The data from this study is allmost 2 years old, and yet we are just now hearing about MRSA.

What else are we missing?

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In this story from Newsday, we learn about another drug resistant bacteria, C. diff, or Clostridium difficile.

Robert Maltby, a self described “health nut” who ran 40 to 50 miles a day came down with it, and ended up losing his large intestine.

Even though he was treated at two hospitals, Maltby remembers little after his wife, Sandi, urged him to seek emergency care. He lost consciousness. “They really didn’t take care of him at the first hospital,” Sandi Maltby said.

Yet again, we see that a hospital is unable to diagnose this.

Doctors, she said, had no idea what ailed her husband, who had been suffering from profuse diarrhea. She and her daughter, a physician’s assistant, had him transferred to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset.

According to the medical specialists in the article, C. diff is following in the footsteps of MRSA, moving from hospitals out into the community, and developing drug resistance.

Like staph, it can reside dormant in healthy people for years. Mutant strains can release toxins that can inflame the intestines and cause death.

Maltby had a minor procedure done that required antibiotics. His doctors told him the antibiotics killed all the bacteria in his intestinal tract except for C. diff, which then had free reign.

Another reason to look past “surface” solutions to underlying causes, and immune system health:

At a time when the public is just becoming familiar with MRSA, hospitals remain entrenched in a decades-long battle against a veritable zoo of microbes.

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New Hampshire NPR has an article about the need for hospitals to report incidences of MRSA staph. Only a few states are beginning to require it.

According to the article, it’s easy to screen for MRSA by taking a simple nose swab. (Still think MRSA only exists on surfaces?)

Hospitals that do screen can certainly reduce incidences of MRSA, as would make sense.

The most telling lines in the report:

And (Epidemiologist Carlene Muto) added that it’s not just patients who want to see that infection data.

She says she gets calls from physicians looking for the hospital infection rates when they need surgery — or when someone from their family does.

Hey brother, can you spare a dime?

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According to the Lewis County, WA Chronicle, MRSA has been around since the 60’s and well known since the 90’s, but now everyone is worked up about it.

Well, how are people going to know when they have to wait on the news media to tell them? Because we live in a mass media culture, everything seems to be all or nothing. You hear nothing, then you hear a big blast that blows everything out of proportion.

But MRSA is growing in resistance. Here is a quote from a doctor Nelson in the story:

“And the MRSA in Lewis County is easier to treat than MRSA somewhere like Texas because there, a lot more of their MRSA is resistant to antibiotics”

There are a lot more diseases that we don’t “know” about that are waiting for someone to find them newsworthy.

But you don’t have to wait.

Discover How to Protect Your Child from 12 Diseases Your Mother Never Told You About.

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According to the Irish Examiner, a bright yellow flower known as inula helenium destroys MRSA bacteria.

The study performed by the Cork Institute of Technology found that two plants were effective against MRSA. The inula helenium and pulsatilla vulgaris were both cited.

Here is the full article.

Let’s hope this is the case. We’re used to hearing about inventions and discoveries with a lot of fanfare, only to find they don’t pan out.

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In a Seattle Times story by Carol Ostrom, we learn that the governor of Washington, Christine Gregoire, wants schools to report cases of MRSA.

The Seattle Times story

Of course, it is the usual response of government, form a committee, put together a panel, etc. While this is just how things operate, we shouldn’t wait for them.

The wisest parents won’t rely on government solutions, but will learn about what they can do right now to build up their child’s immune system, in addition to promoting good hygiene.

Get our free Guide to Protecting Your Child from MRSA.

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Canadian medical researchers have found out why the newer strains of community acquired CA-MRSA are tougher than the hospital acquired variety.

It seems these strains have a way of creating inflammation that pulls in our body’s defense cells and then explodes them.

An article from Canadian TV describes this added element, called PSM:

“CA-MRSA strains secrete a compound called phenol-soluble modulin or PSM. PSM seems to cause inflammation, which attracts immune system cells called neutrophils. The PSM then blows the neutrophils up in a process called lysis, thereby wiping out a main defence against infection and allowing the bacteria to thrive almost unfettered.”

See the full article here:

MRSA Study

This brings up more questions as to why this is happening. It’s not just about washing hands, as we’ve mentioned repeatedly.

All the more reason to stay up to date as new information comes to light.

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10 Cases of MRSA Reported in Tacoma Schools

10 cases have been reported in the last month. KING TV has a video reporting on the situation.

MRSA in Tacoma, Washington schools

All 10 of the kids are reported to be OK.

The school epidemiologist in the video states that “twice as many people die from the flu each year,” and that “It’s just a little out of hand right now.”

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School Sterilization Useless?

CBS program Sixty Minutes will discuss MRSA and whether extra cleanings are of any assistance in stopping the spread of MRSA.

Preview of CBS 60 Minutes on MRSA in Schools

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