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Scientists Warn of Fatal Superbug Epidemic

Australia is facing an epidemic of a drug-resistant superbug that attacks healthy teenagers and can be fatal.

Of particular concern is a new virulent form of the flesh-eating resistant staphylococcal superbug (also known as MRSA) that can lead to a severe form of pneumonia that causes death in up to 50 percent of cases. Unlike hospital-acquired MRSA, which affects mostly elderly patients, the community strain of the bug carries far more toxic genes and can be picked up in communal settings.

Similar bugs in the U.S. have led to the deaths of several teenagers and schools being shut and disinfected.

Experts say the bug is on the rise in Australia, and patients are coming to emergency departments with infected boils that can lead to abscesses and gaping wounds.


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Comment on This Article Community Comments (7)
 
 
Posted On Sep 10, 2008
This is what happens when people demand antibiotics for every little thing and doctors prescribe them to keep their patients satisfied. It's a no win situation.

 
rablpn
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 2/2007
rablpn  
Replied

stoic
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 3/2007
stoic  
 
Posted On Sep 11, 2008
adapation / evolution.....


All Under Heaven
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 2/2008
All Under Heaven  
 
Posted On Sep 11, 2008
Agreed. I don't think people understand biology when they use antibiotics and antibacterials for everything in almost a phobia to sterilize everything around them. (even when most bacteria are harmless and some exposure can strengthen the immune system) It'll work only in the short term. Bacterium are life forms, and over time life forms change to adapt to their environments to survive, or to adapt to survive in hostile conditions whether because of others or radical environmental change.

Not too long ago, there was a huge scare over the Staph. Simple hygiene, not sharing personal items, and covering up wounds are good practices to avoid or decrease the risk of infection.

It's not just Staph. I hear gonorrhea, tuberculosis, and other bacteria are becoming more virulent, dangerous, and resistant. 




 
 
 
Posted On Sep 11, 2008
I've read that eating garlic and applying Manuka honey can help treat MRSA infections.  Sometimes the simplest remedies work best.

Also, do the MRSA bacteria infect the lungs after infecting the skin?  Anyone know?

 
MarthaB
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 5/2007
MarthaB  
 
 
 
Posted On Sep 11, 2008
And yet there is a possible all-natural treatment that the pharmaceutical companies don't control yet.
Compounds in cannabis possess "exceptional antibacterial activity" against multi-drug resistant pathogens, including MRSA.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/science/09obdrug.html?_r=5&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&ore f=slogin&oref=slogin

 
BeeGirl
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 4/2008
BeeGirl  
Replied

stoic
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 3/2007
stoic  
 
Posted On Sep 11, 2008
adaptation / evolution prohibited....

 
 
 
Posted On Sep 11, 2008
Just give them manuka honey, it works a treat on everything!

I've got a rather large cut on my arm that's been open and slightly infected for the past week, and keeps opening due to the movement of where it is, won't close up. So yesterday morning I put lots of manuka honey on it and covered it with a plaster. Changed it once in the afternoon to top up the honey, then again before bed, and twice today. It's gone from red, inflamed, weepy and open to almost healed already. It's no longer gaping, the inflammation is gone - not a hint of redness anywhere near it - it's dried up, and almost gone. All that in just 36 hours. Should've taken before and after photos, though it has impressed my partner no end.

It really is nature's wonder-drug. And it tastes so good as well!!

 
DizzyIzzy1
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2007
DizzyIzzy1  
 
 
 
 
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