I recently have gotten very freaked out over the new Superbug virus MRSA that is popping up now. It is said that antibiotics have no effect on the bug and that people are using antibiotics way too much and frequently and that is what is causing the resistance. It has been recommended that doctors cut back on the prescription of antibiotics for common uses such as common colds and low fevers. Many people think that that is not going to happen because people have become so accustomed to use it for their every need.
They have found that one medicine that is working is vancomycin. It used to be used very rarely in hospitals but the use has skyrocketed now that it has been found to help. But the superbug is learning how to beat out even this drug. It seems like every drug thrown at them works for a while but it continues to defeat them. Many doctors are just relying on trying newer more expensive antibotics everytime the superbug defeats another one. The problem with that is that many funding to antibiotic research is being cut back!! How can this be happening with such a deadly virus flying around? According to the article, antibiotics are only used for 2-3 weeks and are not as profitable as drugs people take for years such as Viagra or Lipitor. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? So because they are not profitable we are going to stop studying them? That is just crazy.These major pharmecutical companies are however still trying to come up with new antibiotics but it is a 15 year process to get 1 new drug to human use. Do we have 15 years? A new drug that came out only 4 years ago that was specifically made for MRSA called Zyvox is already showing resistance.
Funding to come up with new antibiotics can possibly cost up to billions of dollars that the government will have to pay. I personally think that this is something my tax money is worth.
Also people, this disease is being spread fast and can be contained for the most part by being clean. Wash your hands frequently and dont share cups, or underwear or anything like that. Let's be responsible!
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/30/60minutes/main614935.shtml
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
By reading this blog, MRSA is starting to freak me out.
Read my blog!
No doctor should EVER prescribe antibiotics for a cold. Colds are caused by viruses.
Just as a comment, MRSA is a form of Staph and 30% of the population has it already and doesn't know it. It only becomes a problem when it infects a tear in your skin.
It's very easy to prevent Staph and MRSA infections: Wash your hands on a regular basis, and always disinfect any open wounds.
Is it not obvious? This is whole superbug issue is starting to sound like just another scare tactic. What about bird flu? Or antharax exposure? Or the SARS virus killing everyone who doesn't where a dust mask? Honestly look back at everything the media has been telling you to beware of. What about mad cow disease? Does no one else remember this stuff?
If you're already practicing good hygiene, theres nothing for you to worry about. If you're not washing your hands after coming into contact with public places, before you eat, and before you prepare food, you've already got problems on your hands. And not sharing cups? There are other things to worry about if you're sharing cups and utensils (ie Mono). Just do what they told you to in Kindergarten and you'll survive, I promise.
Excellent point.