MRSA

I have written quite a lot about MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) but it is still a relatively misunderstood and seriously misdiagnosed infection. It is estimated that more than 10% of the U.S. population is infected with MRSA or are carriers. We are seeing a huge increase in infections that people do not even realize they have.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body. It's tougher to treat than most strains of staphylococcus aureus -- or staph -- because it's resistant to some commonly used antibiotics.

The symptoms of MRSA depend on where you're infected. Most often, it causes mild infections on the skin, causing pimples or boils. But it can also cause more serious skin infections or infect surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs, or the urinary tract.

MRSA is also showing up in healthy people who have not been living in the hospital. This type of MRSA is called community-associated MRSA, or CA-MRSA. The CDC reports that in 2007, 14% of people with MRSA infections had CA-MRSA.

Studies have shown that rates of CA-MRSA infection are growing fast. One study of children in south Texas found that cases of CA-MRSA had a 14-fold increase between 1999 and 2001.

Part of the problem is that we refuse to look at the fact that as we continue to overuse antibiotics, MRSA and other bacteria will continue to morph and feed on antibiotics.

One can be infected by simply touching an area such as doorknobs, gym equipment, towels, etc. If you are using a gym, please wipe down the equipment before you use it with a sterile towelette. Always use the wipes at supermarkets for the carts. Keep an eye on your kids for signs of infection which can be something as simple as what appears to be a red "bite" mark, rashes, etc.

Prevention is always better than treatment, but historically the best treatment has always been something staph cannot adapt to...high quality and safe silver hydrosol. Our favorite that we keep around the house is Sovereign Silver. It is effective and absolutely safe.

Keep your eyes open.

MRSA gaining ground...make that water

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water (cellos play deep threatening sounds) seven out of ten beaches in Seattle's Puget Sound. More about it here.

MRSA, for those who are not aware may prove to be the real pandemic for which there is no vaccine...at least that anyone will tell you about. Methicillin resistant staph aureus is barely treatable by conventional methods with an IV drip of vancomyecin and that may not work. Additionally, it is highly communicable. The truth is, MRSA has morphed because of our continuing overuse of antibiotics. We've known we were playing with fire for a long time, but we continue to do so.

Well, there is a way to combat it. While we were in LA, this past weekend, Diana came down with an e-coli infection. We had to check out early and she was in serious pain. When we reached home, we put her on hourly Sovereign Silver and within two hours, she was fine.

The same can be said for MRSA. So our suggestion is that if you suspect a bacterial infection, take 1 tbsp of silver on the hour and 1 probiotic 30 minutes later and continue this routine until you are certain the infection is over.

In the meantime, be very cautious where you swim and where you eat. Cook foods thoroughly and drink bottled water when in restaurants.