New Strains of MRSA: Are You Safe With Elective Surgery

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) is called a “Super-Bug” because it is antibiotic resistant, and it can be many strains of S. aureus bacteria; it is not a virus. There are ongoing studies and efforts to develop new and better antibiotics, but it is a difficult task because the strains are always evolving and becoming resistant to more and more drugs. MRSA is most likely to be contracted in hospitals (hospital-acquired infection), and studies show that the rate of contamination is as high as 64%. Random studies were performed on common hospital surfaces such as elevator buttons, door knobs, floors and walls. The tests showed that 80% tested positive for evidence of MRSA. Projections are for six million, world-wide, cases of MRSA in 2010, and the death rated is expected to be over 30% This could be considered a global plague. Most of us know about MRSA, some of us know someone personally who has contracted MRSA, and some of us know someone who has died from MRSA complications. It is of grave concern that the treatment options are limited and there are sources of infection now coming from outside of the hospitals.

In the last forty years, MRSA has become a big problem for hospitals and nursing homes because patients in these are facilities are there because of disease and surgery. These patients are in a weakened state and are very vulnerable because their immunity is lowered. Discovered in 1945, MRSA originally was treated with penicillin. Now it is antibiotic resistant.

A relatively new source of transmission of MRSA is the use computer keyboards since the implementation of computer technology in healthcare facilities. Proper hand-washing procedures and hygiene is critical since MRSA is predominately spread by hand-to-hand contact.

CA-MRSA (community-associated MRSA), have been identified since late 1990’s. It appeared to have no relationship to the healthcare-associated MRSA strain, as there were no risk factors involved such as healthcare settings and the weak and immune compromised. CA-MRSA is concentrated in people that are in groups or group areas such locker rooms, contact sports, gyms, prisoners and military recruits. Although anyone can carry MRSA, (the majority of research shows that MRSA occurs mostly in our noses) and it can enter the body through injuries, incisions and open sores, then there it can develop into a fatal infection. Many people that have MRSA do not have symptoms, and to avoid contamination always properly wash your hands, bandage your cuts and scrapes, and never use others’ personal things such as razors and towels. MRSA can be also picked up from contaminated keyboards, walls, floors, door knobs, as well as direct physical contact.

Headaches, fatigue, fever, swelling, pain and heat around an incision, wound or injury are common symptoms of MRSA. Infections that are more severe are in the joints, bones, surgical incisions, heart, lungs and bloodstream. Many times a bump on the skin will be dismissed as a spider bite. If it doesn’t get better in 3-4 days and you have a fever and flu-like symptoms, this could be MRSA.

MRSA can even infect our companion animals, and there is now a risk for our pets when they have surgery at the veterinary clinic. It is not determined if human contamination from pets is a risk for people. There are new strains of MRSA that seem to be crossing the human and animal barrier. Reporting of infections in horses began to increase, and studies are showing that the infection can be passed from horses to humans and vice versa. Five years ago in the Netherlands, and then more recently in Canada, there was a strain of MRSA (ST398) found in pigs. Since then, this strain has been found in the US, in both farmers and pigs. It isn’t certain that this strain will cause human problems, and it isn’t certain if it will affect our food supply. Should the ST398 be found to infect humans and/or contaminate our food supply, this brings into play and whole new set of problems and “what-ifs”.

If you are contemplating surgery, most especially elective surgery, for conditions such as lumbar and cervical disc problems, you should research all your options and investigate nonsurgical treatment options, because one major surgery risk is the MRSA contamination of hospitals. Many hospitals do not screen for MRSA, although screening could be done. However, if a patient tested positive for MRSA, even without symptoms, they would be isolated and this could lead to longer hospital stays. From there we could have overloaded, understaffed facilities with less careful hand washing, and more exposure to infectious people.

See what a national expert has to say about nonsurgical back pain treatment. visit Dr. Richard E. Busch III’s site on how to avoid surgery for back pain and neck pain and avoid needless risk.

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Written by Dr. Richard E. Busch III on January 29th, 2010 with no comments.
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