Handsfree Dispenser

      The media is covering the Swine flu, HINI, issuing reports and alerts. That’s fine.  We need to be reminded about the  1.7 million cases of “nosocomial” or hospital-caught infections of MRSA, methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus.  The Center for Disease Control estimates that there are 100,000 deaths annually due to MRSA infections. That is double the number of people killed in the Vietnam War.

       The CDC also figures that 2.3 million Americans carry the bacteria in their noses without symptoms. Once contracted, there is little that doctors can do with antibiotics or emergency oxygen.  It starts out with a stuffy nose, cough, and mild fever. The frightening factor is that even healthy, young people can succumb to it in 72 hours and die.  And now community acquired MRSA is showing up in gyms, prisons and other places.

        Hands that are contaminated, sneezes, and coughs spread the disease that is why we are getting advice through the media on how to prevent  MRSA.  Wash your hands before eating, and after touching public objects like money, shopping carts, and doors. Keep hand sanitizer handy.Sneeze and cough into your elbow instead of your hand.  When visiting your gym, be aware of germs and wash your hands and shower. Hospital caregivers and visitors must be reminded to wash their hands or use sanitizer.  A great invention are hands free door openers, especially for public restrooms. After you have washed your hands, you don’t want to handle a door.

      The prevention of the superbug MRSA (methicillin resistant staph aureus), can be accomplished by proper handwashing and avoiding cross-contamination. The use of sensor-operated toilet flushers, automatic soap dispensers, touch free towel dispensers, automatic faucets, and hands free door openers prevents illness.      

     Now there is research that indicates that “manuka” honey shows promise for treating wounds infected with MRSA.  The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds in a review of 22 clinical trials verified that honey quickly heals wounds, protects against further infection, reduces swelling, minimizes scarring, helps remove infected and dead tissue, and stimulates new tissue growth. The best course is still prevention.

Most MRSA infections produce the following symptoms

Cellulitis- Infection of the skin or underlying tissue. Small, red bumps.

Boils- Pus- filled infections of hair follicles

Sty-Eyelid gland infection

Abcess-Pus collections under the skin

Impetigo-A skin infection with pus- filled blisters

Carbuncles-larger than an abcess, usually with several openings to the skin

Disinfectant wipes can be used to kill MRSA

 by Amy Bauer R.D.H.

After breakfast, it’s off to work. What a great day! I get to be on door knobs, steering wheels, phones, pens, food, and much more. When hands handshake, I am in Germ Heaven! I’m good as long as those hands go unwashed. Whoever coined the phrase ‘the great unwashed” tried to tell us something.