SUPER BUGS!!!!

     In today's blog we are going to look at " The Bugs," MRSA, VRE, C-Diff and the new bug taking the world by storm the newest "Super Bug"----------CRE!!! Warning this blog is very interactive and contains a lot of useful buggy information. Read and be informed, be safe.

           Methicillin - Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus is an infection due to a strain of bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. These infections can be hospital acquired through having invasive procedures, such as surgery, or community acquired where people are living under crowded conditions. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are normally found on the skin or nose and are generally harmless unless they enter the body through a cut or wound. Usually, the infection begins as a painful boil and resembles a pimple or spider bite. This bacteria can burrow deep into the body and infect the blood stream causing organ and bone damage (Mayo Clinic, 2012). 
Take a look at this video form WebMD for more compelling information.

         Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci- Enterococci is a bacteria normally found in the digestive tract and female genital and makes up most of the bacteria population of a healthy person. Once colonized this bacteria can lead to an infection causing UTI's, Endocarditis, and Meningitis.  These infection are mostly hospital acquired and transmission is person to person (NIH, 2009).



    
     
      

     Clostridum Difficile or the "GUT Bug"- is an infection of the colon by bacterium c-diff. This organism causes toxins that damage the lining of the colon leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and dehydration. C-diff bacteria is been known to produces large amounts of both toxins A & B. Now there is a new ever more virulent strain of c-diff that is producing a third toxin that is more severe and making those infected seriously ill and in some cases casing death. Current commercial testing cannot distinguish this strain from a normal strain (Lee & Mark, 2013).
Here is a link to a video from a teenagers  prospective.

     And introducing the newest "Super Bug"- CRE

          Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae has a very high level of resistance to all antibiotics. Klebsiella & E-coli are normal gut bacteria that can become carbapenem resistent which leads to CRE. Check out this video for more information about this super bug.
  

 References

Mayo Clinic (2012). MRSA Infection. Retrieved from; http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mrsa/basics/definition/con-20024479

Lamotte, S. (2014). The truth about MRSA. Retrieved from; http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/video/truth-about-mrsa

NIH (2009). Antimicrobial drug resistance. Retrieved from; http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/antimicrobialResistance/Examples/vre/Pages/overview.aspx

 Cochrane, P. (2011). VRE in healthcare environment. Retrieved from; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6UqRJmjGqA

Lee, D. &  Mark, J. (2013). Clostridium difficile. Retrieved from; http://www.medicinenet.com/clostridium_difficile_colitis/page8.htm#what_is_new_in_c_difficile

USA Today. (2012). Teen c-diff victim. Retrieved from; http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/video/teen-c-diff-victim/1773733545001

 Center for Disease Control (2013). CRE retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/cre/

Snyderman, N.  (2013). Deadly CRE super bug sweeps across America. Retrieved from; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3klxO3Dt3jUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3klxO3Dt3jU

     The Flu or influenza is an infection from birds and mammals caused by the RNA virus family - Orthomyxovirdae. The flu is often confused with the common cold because symptoms are somewhat similar, but the flu is more severe because it is caused by different types of the virus (Wikipedia, 2014).

 
       The flu is not discriminatory, it can affect everyone. According to the CDC to date New York State is at a moderate high level for outpatient visits to their primary care physicians for flu like symptoms. Hospitalizations are also high especially with those 65 years old and older being hospitalized (CDC, 2014).
If left untreated the flu can lead to life threatening complications including; pneumonia, encephalitis, meningitis, and can even produce seizures. Diagnosing the flu is usually based on symptoms but sometimes the physicians may want you to have a swab of your nose or throat for a more definitive diagnosis to decide the best course of treatment for you.

According to the CDC, the flu can be prevented in 3 easy steps:

1. Get your flu shot - The CDC recommends anyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated.Those that are at high risk; elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma and also healthcare workers and those that live with or take care of those in the high risk group should be vaccinated.
2. Stop the spread of germs - Wash your hands!!! Clean and disinfect surfaces. Cover your mouth & nose when coughing or sneezing. If you are sick, use common sense and stay home from work or school for at least 4 hours after your fever has subsided.
3. If you have the flu - Take the treatment that you physician may have prescribed for you. This may include antiviral drugs such as Tami flu. These drugs can decrease symptoms and shorten the time you feel ill when taken properly.

     So you see bloggers, keep it safe and be informed. See you next time!!!
   

References

Center for Disease Control (2014). Flu season. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

New York Times (2014). The flu overview. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/the-flu/overview.html  

Wikipedia (2014). Influenza. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza

Please view this VOKI than continue through to the blog

One of the hottest topic in the hospital world today is infection control. Infection control has been defined as policies and procedures used to minimize the risk of the spread of infections. The purpose of infection control  is to reduce the occurrence of infections caused by bacteria or viruses and can spread by human to human contact, animal to human contact, human contact with an infected surface, airborne transmissions through droplets in the air and through food and water.

                         The Chain of Infection: see video below.