The Facts on "Super-Staph"

Until recently, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, had been confined mostly to health care facilities. But now, some healthy adults and children are contracting this potentially fatal infection, which can "eat" the skin and attack vital organs. According to estimates from the Centrers for Disease Control and Prevention, MRSA killed more Americans than AIDS in 2005.

How You Get It

"When someone comes into contact with MRSA, it 'colonizes' the skin and inner nose," explains Michele F. Bellantoni, M.D., Director of Johns Hopkins Bayview Care Center. "Generally, it cause no harm; however, when people exposed to the bacteria get deep cuts or undergo surgery, infections may develop." Most staph infections start as painful pimples or boils. MRSA is difficult to treat because it produces more inflammatory toxins than other types of staph, and it doesn't repond to conventional medications like penicillins or several other antibiotic.

Risk factors include hospitalization with the past year (particularly for surgery), residence in a long-term care facility, frequent antibiotic use, and casual contact with intravenous-drug users. Some people also have contracted MRSA from sharing gym equipment or playing contact sports.

Simple Safety Tips

To reduce your risk:

— Keep abrasions on your skin clean, dry, and covered and avoid handling other people's wounds;

— Don't share personal items like towels or razors;

— Use flip-flops in public showers;

— Put clean towels over the handle-bars of exercise machines;

— Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer several times each day; and,

— Don't be afraid to ask healthcare providers to wash their hands and wipe their stethoscopes before treating you.

To prevent further development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the population, avoid taking antibiotics unnecessarily for viruses like colds.

Above all, don't panic: should not stay away from the hospital to avoid MRSA. It's been around for decades, and many drugs — like tetracyclines, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, rifampin, and linezolid — can still kill the bacterium, particularly when detected early.

Still Worried?

If you're at risk and develop a painful pimple or boil, don't wait to get tested. Your doctor may be able to treat you by draining the infection. (do not drain it on your own.) Finish all prescribed antibiotics even after your infection gets better. And let your doctor know right away if symptoms persist.

People who are hospitalized or living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities should find out what steps the staff are taking to prevent infections.

Some hospitals screen patients for MRSA and quarantine anyone who tests positive. However, Dr. Bellantoni asserts, "This measure is unnecessary and can cause unintended consequences, such as isolation and diminished quality of care."

Instead, she urges, "Simple, frequent handwashing is the best way for healthcare facilities to protect against MRSA." Many European hospitals have reduced infection rates by implementing rigorous hygiene standards; now, some American facilities are following suit.