What Does MRSA Look Like?

Photos of Extremely Serious MRSA Infections

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 01:38:08 +0000

MRSA pictures presented by www.whatdoesmrsalooklike.com.

Washing With Hibiclens

admin — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:06:54 +0000

Hibiclens (sometimes misnamed Hibaclens) antimicrobial skin cleanser is proven to kill MRSA (in vitro) and other staph infections. It contains chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) which provides immediate germ kill and six hours of residual germ killing activity

Following are washing procedures and precautions for general skin and wound cleansing (including MRSA) with Hibiclens:

Hibiclens Washing Procedure

Thoroughly rinse the area to be cleansed with water.
Apply the minimum amount of Hibiclens necessary to cover the skin or wound area and wash gently.
Rinse thoroughly.
Repeat procedure, if directed by medical professional

Hibiclens Washing Precautions

Do not dilute.
Do not use in contact with the genital area
Do not use in contact with the meninges.
Do not use on wounds on more than the superficial
layers of the skin.
Do not use in eyes, ears or mouth. May cause serious and permanent eye injury if placed or kept in the eye during surgical procedures, or may cause deafness when instilled in the middle ear through perforated eardrums.
If contact occurs in any of the areas listed above, rinse with cold water right away.
If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right
away.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: FTC Action on Oregano Claims

admin — Thu, 13 May 2010 12:26:22 +0000

Click image to see judgement and order

Visitors and buyers of oregano products should be fully aware that, in August 2008, the Federal Trade Commission took action against some marketers of oregano oil products. The action charged that claims about the health benefits of oregano oil and capsules were false and unsubstantiated in violation of federal law. Here is text from the FTC news release:

According to the FTC’s complaint, North American Herb & Spice Co., LLC, and its owner, Judy Kay Gray, falsely claimed that Oreganol P73, Super Strength Oreganol P73, and Oregacyn (currently sold as OregaRESP) are scientifically proven to prevent or treat colds and flu. The defendants also claimed that the products boost the immune system and kill a variety of germs and pathogens, including cold and flu viruses, avian bird flu virus, hepatitis C, Staphylococcus aureus, Helicobacter pylori, mold, parasites, and yeasts. Sold at prices ranging from $29.99 to $69.99, the products purportedly contain P73, which is described as wild, handpicked Mediterranean oregano. The products were advertised on Web sites, including www.p-73.com, and in magazines such as Alternative Medicine, H2O, Health Supplement Retailer, and Women’s Health & Fitness.

The final order imposes a $2.5 million judgment and places restrictions on the defendants’ future conduct. It prohibits them from claiming that their products prevent or treat colds or flu, are clinically tested or scientifically proven to be effective, or have other health or safety benefits, unless the claims are true, not misleading, and based on reliable scientific evidence. In addition, the defendants are banned from misrepresenting the existence, validity, results, or conclusions of any test or study. The order also contains standard record-keeping provisions to allow the FTC to monitor compliance.

The FTC would like to acknowledge the National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus for their referral related to this case.

The Commission vote to authorize staff to file the complaint and stipulated final order was 4-0. The documents were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The court entered the order on August 4, 2008.

MRSA Decolonization

admin — Sun, 09 May 2010 00:57:31 +0000

The effectiveness of decolonization methods to interrupt MRSA recurrence and transmission are not well-established. However, it may be reasonable to consider decolonization on a case-by-case basis in two circumstances: (1) for persons with recurrent MRSA infections (e.g., three or more infections in less than six months); and (2) in outbreak situations in which ongoing MRSA transmission is occurring among a well-defined cohort with close contact (e.g. a household).

Decolonization may be considered in patients with recurrent CA-MRSA infections or in households with several members who have CA MRSA skin and soft tissue infections. However, little data exist to determine the effectiveness of decolonization in the non-healthcare setting. Other strategies to prevent transmission in households and community settings should be emphasized first.

The decolonization procedure often recommended includes both of the following measures:

• Apply 2% mupirocin ointment generously throughout the inside of both nostrils with a cotton swab— twice daily for five days (to be applied in Health Services); and
• Bathe—with liquid chlorhexidene soap, washing all skin surfaces—daily for five days.

Daily bathing or showering using an antibacterial agent such as chlorhexidine gluconate is recommended during mupirocin treatment to improve chances of eradication. Alternative treatment with tea tree oil body lotion and shampoo have been shown effective in achieving decolonization, and have the benefit of being less harsh on the skin.

What is the Incubation Period for MRSA?

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:29:09 +0000

Incubation period is the time elapsed between exposure to a pathogenic organism, a chemical or radiation, and when symptoms and signs are first apparent.

Few infectious disease have precisely definable incubation periods. Typically, incubation periods are expressed as a time range (e.g. 1-3 days in the case of influenza). When

Incubation Period for MRSA Infections in Humans

MRSA is the acronym widely used formethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacterial infections. It generally takes 1-10 days for signs of a MRSA infection to appear after a person has become infected with MRSA. However, many people may carry the MRSA infection but never show symptoms.

The incubation period for Staphylococcus aureus infections in humans is highly variable and indefinite, commonly 4-10 days; disease may not occur until several months after colonization.

Incubation Period for MRSA Infections in Animals

As with humans, the incubation period for animal MRSA infections varies with the syndrome. Animals can be colonized for variable periods of time without developing clinical disease.