DGMC's Public Health department looks to squash "Superbug"

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Tomas Widemond
  • 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Recently, the Community-Associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infection - also known as CA-MRSA or the "Superbug" - has been receiving increased media attention.

This may lead the public to believe this is an uncontrollable organism on the verge of an epidemic.

This is not the case. With some prevention and treatment measures, such as good personal hygiene and taking a full antibiotic regimen, we can all do our part to control CA-MRSA effectively.

Staphylococcus Aureus, commonly referred to as "staph," is a common bacteria carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 25 to 30 percent of the population is colonized (bacteria are present, but not causing an infection) in the nose with staph bacteria.

Most people that are colonized with staph never develop an infection from it. CA-MRSA causes typical minor skin infections, such as pimples or boils. These skin infections can be treated with drainage and sometimes could require antibiotics.

However, staph infections can lead to serious complications such as severe infected wounds, pneumonia or may infect the blood causing a septic infection.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, certain people are at an
increased risk for CA-MRSA, such as athletes, military recruits, children and prisoners.

Factors that have been associated with the spread of CA-MRSA infections include close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions and poor hygiene.

People infected with CA-MRSA often complain of a "spider bite" appearing sore on their body. These types of staph infections are often treatable.

A visit to your healthcare provider at the David Grant USAF Medical Center is critical in the containment of CA-MRSA. If after visiting your healthcare provider the infection does not improve, a follow up is required.

"If you do have a CA-MRSA or staph infection, you can help prevent the transmission of CA-MRSA," said Dr. (Maj.) Jason Lane, an Infectious Disease specialist with the 60th Medical Operations Group. "By using simple precautions such as cleaning your hands, covering the wound, not sharing personal items and keeping your healthcare provider informed, you can help prevent re-transmission of CA-MRSA to others," Dr. Lane explained.

For more information, please contact 1st Lt. Tomas Widemond at DGMC's Public Health department at 423-5464, or visit the CDC's website at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_public.html