Topic : 04/01 The Superbug

I contracted MRSA in June of 2007.  At first I thought it was an ingrown hair, but within a week the swelling went from about a 1/2" in diameter to about 10" in diameter.  I went to the hospital b/c I had a fever and the pain was so severe I couldn't even walk.  They told me I was in early sepsis and if I hadn't came in when I did, they would have admitted me.  They drained it, I was put on antibiotics, and in about a week I was fine.  I wasn't even told it was MRSA while I was at the hospital.  I found out b/c I work in the hospital and I checked my own lab work.

About two months later my 9 month old daughter contracted it in her diaper area.  It started out as diaper rash and within about two days I knew it was MRSA.  I took her to the pediatrician and they drained it in the office.  She also was put on antibiotics and was fine in about a week.  Then about another 3 months later she contracted it again.  This time I took her to Children's hospital and she went through the same thing again.  Both of these times I was never told it was MRSA, they just told me they were going to treat it like it was MRSA.  The doctor at Children's hospital just told me to make sure I clean my bath tub with bleach. 

I take my scrubs off immediately after I get home from work, I put them in a separate basket and wash them separately from everyone else's clothes.  I take showers and I constantly wash my hands(at home and at work).  My house is always clean.  I wasn't sure what I needed to be doing different and I felt like I wasn't ever clean enough.   

I contracted it again in February of 2008.  I knew what it was as soon as it showed up.  I went and had it taken care of again.  I couldn't figure out how me and my daughter keep getting it, but my husband hasn't had it once.  Then the doctor told me that some people are more susceptible than others.  He told me that pretty much everyone carries the bacteria, but all it takes is for it to find one little cut or scratch to get inside of the body at start causing problems.

I am so glad that Dr. Phil did a show on MRSA.  People need to be more aware of MRSA.  I found out first hand that it grows very quickly and you shouldn't wait around to see if it will get better on its own.  I was very sick when I went to the hospital the first time and I am just grateful that I went when I did.  I was also grateful to know not to wait around with my daughter.  Having these things drained is like torture and I hope and pray everyday that me and my daughter will not have to go through this again.   

I worked in the health care system for years, many of them in a pharmacy that was attached to a doctor's office.  This was in the mid 70s to the mid 80s. Antibiotics were dispensed by these doctors (who were D.O.s rather than M.D.s) like candy, and the patient compliance was terrible. Most of the time, they had a virus, which is unaffected by an antibiotic. But when they did have a bacteria based illness, as soon as they started feeling better, they'd stop taking the antibiotics, which would then cause the bug to mutate and come back with a vengeance! As I would dispense these drugs, I would try my best to educate the patient as to the importance of continuing to take the prescription until it was GONE....but, it was like spitting into the wind, for the most part....and, sure enough, the patient would be back in the doctor's office within two weeks for yet another, stronger antibiotic.

This careless dispensing of antibiotics years ago by doctors buckling under the pressure of the patient, is a major cause of the bacterium resistance we are dealing with now. It's one reason we have "super bugs" in the first place!

Doctors need to be in control of the medications; not the patient!

And, patients: if you don't see your doctor wash his or her hands before touching you, don't be afraid to ask them to do so! 

I worked in the health care system for years, many of them in a pharmacy that was attached to a doctor's office.  This was in the mid 70s to the mid 80s. Antibiotics were dispensed by these doctors (who were D.O.s rather than M.D.s) like candy, and the patient compliance was terrible. Most of the time, they had a virus, which is unaffected by an antibiotic. But when they did have a bacteria based illness, as soon as they started feeling better, they'd stop taking the antibiotics, which would then cause the bug to mutate and come back with a vengeance! As I would dispense these drugs, I would try my best to educate the patient as to the importance of continuing to take the prescription until it was GONE....but, it was like spitting into the wind, for the most part....and, sure enough, the patient would be back in the doctor's office within two weeks for yet another, stronger antibiotic.

This careless dispensing of antibiotics years ago by doctors buckling under the pressure of the patient, is a major cause of the bacterium resistance we are dealing with now. It's one reason we have "super bugs" in the first place!

Doctors need to be in control of the medications; not the patient!

And, patients: if you don't see your doctor wash his or her hands before touching you, don't be afraid to ask them to do so!