The MRSA Epidemic

The MRSA Epidemic

What is MRSA?
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) describes a number of strains of bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics including methicillin. A group of bacteria lives on the skin and inside of the nose. MRSA can be harmless and many people who have MRSA are not aware that they have this bacteria living on their skin or in their nose. People with weakened immune systems can develop problems. The bacteria can cause boils, abscesses, impetigo, septic wounds heart valve problems and toxic shock syndrome. Very severe cases can lead to death. I would post a picture of what MRSA looks like on the skin when more severe cases occur but it was too graphic for me to look at so just imagine a boil.

MRSA Survivors Network
The MRSA Survivors Network is a non profit organization based out of Chicago. The organization is a global leader in the fight against MRSA as well as antimicrobial resistance. The network has been asking the CDC and the DHHS to acknowledge the public health crisis that MRSA is causing publicly and to take action. Shockingly, more people die from MRSA than HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's Disease, H1N1 flu, homicides, injuries at work and infant mortality. Despite this many federal public health agencies are failing to realize how serious the problem is and to provide funding to raise awareness for prevention. The funding would help advertize the magnitude of this epidemic and the public health crisis world wide. MRSA testing would be needed to keep track of who in the world has MRSA just like there are records for HIV/AIDs.

Awareness is attempted to be raised through  multiple events. one being the International MRS testing week. this campaign is used to draw attention for the need to test high risk patients with continued surveillance along with testing the environment in health care facilities.

There is also a MRSA day and a MRSA awareness month in October. 

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases-test/the-mrsa-epidemic----a-call-to-action-201032201.html