More than 90,000 Americans get potentially deadly infections each year from a drug-resistant staph "superbug," it is the first overall estimate of invasive disease caused by the germ by the government reported Tuesday.
And almost everyone carries staph bacteria and it is the most common cause of skin infections in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"superbug", a strain of bacteria that is much tougher to treat than more common staph, or Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. MRSA, pronounced mersa, does not respond to penicillin and similar antibiotics and poses a serious risk to young children, the elderly and people with depressed immune systems.
MRSA occurs most often in hospitals and other medical care facilities.
This staph infection sometimes first appears on the skin as a red, swollen pimple or boil that may be painful or have pus. It can be spread by close skin-to skin contact or by touching surfaces like locker benches and towels contaminated with the germ.
More than 90,000 Americans get potentially deadly infections each year from a drug-resistant staph "superbug," it is the first overall estimate of invasive disease caused by the germ by the government reported Tuesday.Here are some basic tips from the CDC:
Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand cleaner. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed. Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
Source: Experts: Drug-resistant staph deaths may surpass AIDS toll @ CNN Local schools emphasize cleanliness to stop staph@ Dailypress