Replies to '04/01 The Superbug'

You bet it is easy to blame someone! My Mother went in for back surgery and came out with MRSA. After 2 agonizing months, she died. She went in healthy and came out with a HOSPITAL aquired infection. I have learned that the hospital she was in has had several cases of MRSA. When you lose someone to this horrible infection, it is so unbelievable. Yes, it has been said that doctors have prescribed antibiotics too much. However, your comment seems very hard and cruel.

I think you need to take a moment and realize that those who have contracted MRSA didn't do it because they wanted to suck up attention.  It was thrust on them.  Although the 8% of hospital workers you refer to who are "colonized with it" do exist, thousands have NOT been tested.  When a hospital in Philadelphia tested it's ENTIRE staff - not just medical staff - they started treatment immediately on those that tested positive.  The percentage of MRSA cases dropped significantly within a year.  VRE and VRSA are rare and often occur in patients who have had MRSA for a long time and have been given vacomycin, which is about the only effective antibiotic used for treatment of MRSA.  Yes, "bugs" are developing resistance to the antibiotics we have developed over the years; however, it is not from the development of these antibiotics, it is from overuse of them for every little thing that comes along, i.e., giving antibiotics for viruses because the patient insists on a quick fix. 

 

"It's always easier to blame somebody instead of dealing with your own grief."  I have read all the posts.  The word "blame" is poorly used.  I don't think we "blame" anyone for these infections.  It is the lack of precaution that is more the fault.  Dealing with the grief?  Walk a mile in our shoes. 

My Mom was admitted to the hospital approximately 6 weeks ago with an upper res. infec. While doing blood test and a million other tests, they found that she had colon, liver and lung cancer.  Our family was devastated to say the least.  While visiting my Mom every day my Dad and me were pulled aside and where told that we had to wear gloves and gowns when we entered her room and if we left her room we would have to take the old gown off along with the gloves and put on a new gown and gloves if we went back into the room because she had VRE.  When I asked how in heavens name did she get that they said they were  not sure.  What they should have said was "it's from the catheter they were using for her."  I was told by a doctor that was the absolute cause.    Cathethers grow bacteria when not cleaned properly. 

 

If using a catheter is one sure way of getting VRE, then don't you think that there should be safer ways of eliminating urine like a bed pan.  I realize that if a person is bedridden and cannot move from the bed or other serious issues are going on, then better and safer care should be taken.  My Mom is home now with the help of an Aide who comes 4 days a week, 4 hours a day and we all have to use gloves and gowns.  My Mom doesn't need this extra crap to deal with in the short time that she has left to her life. 

 

Why are hospitals and nursing homes so lax in their responsibilities to take better care of patients. 

 

By the way, I do not believe for one minute that I am blaming someone else for my Mom's illness.  If better precautions were taken I would not be having this conversation.

 

Why don't we start by looking at all the foreign travelers coming into this country with all the different diseases, bugs, superbugs, etc., etc., etc.  When I fly anywhere, I sit in my seat with a mask on my face, take a can Lysol and spray everything around me.  I was in the grocery store last week when a lady actually sneezed and coughed all over the APPLES.  I said excuse me cover your damn mouth and turn away from the fruit when you have to sneeze or cough.  What the hell is wrong with you.  She looked at me  like I had 5 eyes and walked away.  What a JERK.  So, tell me if I hadn't seen that and purchased some apples and decided to eat one on the way home what do you think would have happend to me. 

 

People are getting worse and worsr every single day.  They just don't care about anyone let alone themselves or they have become so self centered that nothing around them matters.

The info that you provided was very educational to those who don't know much about it and I'm glad you posted it but that's exactly why this person is placing blame everywhere but where it belongs. Grief!!!!   It's very powerful and this person is going through a very difficult time. It was wrong to yell at the woman over the apples and wrong to blame people from other countries but cut some slack here. Put yourself in that position before posting it quite so coldly.  

MRSA is now CA-MRSA which is community associated.  I have that.  I have ahstma and being in the hospital so many times I am sure I contacted it there.  I had no idea I had it until I had a itch and it was just a tiny little bump like dry skin.  Within 24 hrs it was swollen like an egg and I had flu symptoms.  I was taken to ER and that night had emergency surgery to remove it.  Praise God the antibiotics worked for me.  I still have sores that won't heal.  It's a very scary thing to have happen to you.  You can get it from anywhere.  I door knob the grocery cart anything.  Now I always use the wipes when using carts and door knobs.  Everybody should read up on this

There is a new patented Silver product out there that is being used to cleanse and kill MRSA in

Hospitals, & other places .