EDITORIAL: MRSA Latest 'Superfear'

Oct 26, 08:41 AM

Current Headlines: By The Herald-Sun, Durham, N.C.

Oct. 26--We live in an age of fear, whether the source of our anxiety is global warming, terrorism or bird flu.

All of them are worthy of our attention, concern and action, but none merits panic.

Another recent chill-inducer is MRSA (pronounced "mursa") -- methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA has been dubbed a "superbug," one of those common bacteria that humanity had subdued with antibiotics. But in a real-world demonstration of evolution, the bacteria adapted over time to become antibiotic-resistant. Doctors have long known this was happening, and as a result try not to over-prescribe drugs such as amoxicillin.

But now MRSA is getting increased attention, especially after the tragic death of a Virginia teen-ager.

It is scary, since it can be picked up anywhere, although most infections usually begin in the hospital. And it starts out looking like an innocent pimple, but it can turn into an open sore that, if left untreated, can affect internal organs and ultimately cause death.

But as we said, there's no reason to go running down the street screaming. Statistics show that some 19,000 people a year die of MRSA-related causes out of more than 100,000 known cases. The huge majority of those cases occur in hospitals, and the deaths are mostly among patients already weakened by other illnesses. Most MRSA infections in the general population are readily treatable.

We should also note that the number of deaths from MRSA is about half those caused each year by flu. (So remember to get your flu shot).

That's not to say MRSA should be ignored. The simplest way to prevent infection is to do as mother admonished -- wash your hands several times a day, cover skin abrasions with bandages and don't pick your nose (that's where MRSA often lives). And if you have a suspicious sore, go see a doctor.

Since evolution is an inexorable force, we will certainly see more and more bacteria that are less and less vulnerable to antibiotics. Ultimately, it will be left to the creative brilliance of doctors, researchers and the drug companies to protect human health by staying a step ahead of the germs.

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