UNDERSTANDING MRSA AND VRSA

There is an uprecedented pandemic in our midst concerning an organism that lives on everyones skin surface. It is a well known bacteria named Staphylococcus Aureus. Of itself it is harmless and a bacteria that is genetically personal to each individual. However over the decades, with the overuse of ANTIBIOTICS, it was discovered to mutate to a more virulent form of bacteria that is now costing Americans billions of dollars a year. The new names for two such mutations are MRSA = Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and VRSA = Vancomycin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. The first reports of this mutagenic organism was first described in the sixties, and unfortunately the main place it was transmitted was in hospitals and long term care facilities. As recent as five years ago there have been reports of community acquired MRSA and VRSA via cross human contamination in children and between adults. Research reveals that it is commonly transmittable by contact and colonized easily in gyms, spas, prisons, more so in hospitals and long term care facilities. Although they are still safe to visit, be wise and educate yourself on the subject.

What to do to protect yourself

EDUCATE YOURSELF and type the initials MRSA and VRSA in your browser and find that utilizing common sense in dealing with its presence is not that difficult.
It is not costly at all and that is to practice the least expensive ritual of all and that is to wash your hands. Teach your children to do so as well. It was thought at one time that you had to use an antibacterial soap to get rid of bacteria on your hands however it is more so the time in which you actually wash your hands and the amount of friction used in doing so. It is suggested that at least 15 seconds of friction washing of your hands using a mild soap (an agent that decreases surface tension) and rinsing well will get the job done. To keep your hands from getting dry use a moisturizer as to limit small cracks in the skin. You will be surprised how long 15 seconds is if you actually timed it compared to what you may percieve to be fifteen seconds. Try it!

Avoid touching your eyes or your mouth unless you have washed your hands, so if it is a habit to do so at any given time, unlearn it, eat an apple instead!

Watch what your health care takers are doing and ask questions. It is NOT rude to ask them to wash their hands before caring for you. It helps keep your germs YOUR germs and not someone elses.

HAPPY HEALTH TO YOU