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Pure Bioscience Announces Distribution Agreement

PURE Bioscience Announces Distribution Agreement for SDC-Based IV-7 Products in Middle East

SAN DIEGO (October 28, 2010) – PURE Bioscience (NASDAQ: PURE), creator of the patented silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC) antimicrobial, today announced that its marketing partner, Richmont Sciences (Richmont), has established distribution of PURE’s SDC-based IV-7™ products in the Middle East region. Under this arrangement, PURE sells IV-7 products to Richmont for resale into the Middle East, where the IV-7 water treatment and disinfection products have been registered by the United Arab Emirates-Dubai Municipality. Richmont is initially focusing on distribution of IV-7 Water Treatment™.

Michael L. Krall, President and CEO of PURE Bioscience, stated, “Much of the Middle East’s drinking water is produced from desalination plants, and protecting stored drinking water from contamination and microbial growth presents a challenge to government, industry and consumers. We look forward to working with Richmont to provide a range of SDC-based products throughout the region.”

“The water purification and disinfecting technology of IV-7 products is a major scientific advance,” said John Rochon, Chairman of Richmont. “Safe water is a precious gift. Every day, far too many people become sick or even die from drinking or being exposed to contaminated water. This disaster can and must be prevented. We are determined to bring this new, lifesaving water treatment technology to families throughout the world.”

Richmont said that it has reached an agreement with Dubai-based High Scope General Trading LLC (High Scope) for the sale of IV-7 products in the Middle East region. “We are very pleased to join with High Scope in this effort and they will be an outstanding partner with us to bring IV-7 products to government, businesses and consumers,” said Mr. Rochon.

IV-7 Water Treatment contains PURE’s SDC technology, based on a proprietary molecule of ionic silver stabilized in citric acid. When used as directed for drinking water, the product provides safe, tasteless and odorless protection and can substantially reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal illness caused by contaminated water. As few as two ounces of IV-7 Water Treatment can treat 200 gallons of water in just minutes with no harm to the environment and no toxic side effects.

About IV-7 Products

IV-7 Ultimate Germ Defense™ can be used to kill germs on hard surfaces in a wide variety of settings, such as homes, offices, schools, hospitals, medical and dental clinics, restaurants, hotels, animal shelters, public facilities and many more. Unlike traditional alcohol- or bleach-based surface disinfectants, IV-7 Ultimate Germ Defense requires no hazard or warning statements and carries bacterial kill times as quick as 30 seconds, compared with up to 10 minutes for competing products. IV-7 Ultimate Germ Defense provides powerful protection – even against resistant pathogens such as MRSA – and continues to kill bacteria for up to 24 hours after usage; yet, with its EPA Category IV rating, the least-toxic classification, IV-7 Ultimate Germ Defense is also ideal for use in sensitive children’s areas.

IV-7 Ultimate Germ Defense for Food Contact Surfaces™ harnesses the same broad-spectrum disinfecting power as Ultimate Germ Defense combined with registration by the US EPA for food contact surface sanitization while maintaining the EPA Category IV rating. IV-7 Ultimate Germ Defense for Food Contact Surfaces is manufactured for use on surfaces and equipment in dozens of settings including food processing plants, farms, food storage areas, restaurants, fast food operations, cafeterias, supermarkets, break rooms, schools, hospitals and other institutions, as well as in homes. IV-7 for Food Contact Surfaces helps prevent cross-contamination in food contact environments and eliminates odors. IV-7 for Food Contact Surfaces provides an advantageous combination of efficiency, high efficacy and low toxicity by rapidly eliminating dangerous pathogens, yet it does not create irritating fumes and does not require rinsing.

IV-7 Water Treatment™ is a liquid concentrate containing SDC effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, virus and fungus in a stable, non-toxic, tasteless, odorless and colorless solution. IV-7 water treatment is so powerful that just seven drops treat an entire gallon (approximately four liters) of water. Earlier this year, PURE shipped IV-7 Water Treatment to Haiti for use in earthquake-ravaged areas. Project Hope distributed the product, which was sufficient to purify 40 million gallons of water for safe drinking. The water treatment does not carry United States registration and is not available for sale in the US.

Additional information about IV-7 products isavailable at www.IV-7.net.

About Richmont

Richmont is an experienced team of sales and marketing experts. It is headed by John Rochon, who has spent 35 years successfully building and promoting a host of well-known consumer and business-to-business brands. Richmont Sciences is owned by privately held Richmont Holdings (www.richmontholdings.com). Richmont Sciences functions as the sales and marketing arm for PURE’s disinfectant, santizer and water treatment products in domestic and international markets.

About PURE Bioscience

PURE Bioscience develops and markets technology-based bioscience products that provide solutions to numerous global health challenges, including Staph (MRSA). PURE's proprietary high efficacy/low toxicity bioscience technologies, including its silver dihydrogen citrate-based antimicrobials, represent innovative advances in diverse markets and lead today's global trend toward industry and consumer use of "green" products while providing competitive advantages in efficacy and safety. Patented SDC is an electrolytically generated source of stabilized ionic silver which formulates well with other compounds. As a platform technology, SDC is distinguished from competitors in the marketplace because of its superior efficacy, reduced toxicity and the inability of bacteria to form a resistance to it. PURE is headquartered in El Cajon, California (San Diego metropolitan area). Additional information on PURE is available at www.purebio.com.

This press release includes statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe," "estimate," "project,” "expect" or similar expressions. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, acceptance of the Company's current and future products and services in the marketplace, the ability of the Company to develop effective new products and receive regulatory approvals of such products, competitive factors, dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.

MRSA Treatment - Complications From Ongoing Antibiotic Treatment For MRSA

MRSA is methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, a mutated form of staph bacteria that is able to endure the curative abilities of medication such as antibiotics. The mutation was caused both by misuse and overuse of antibiotics resulting in a strain of the bacteria able to proliferate and eventually create infections and complications unabated. Initially, it was penicillin that was able to cure staph infections but as time passed on, together with the misuse and overuse, the bacteria was able to develop resistance against penicillin. Then there was methicillin to which the bacteria was also able to develop a resistance. Now, one of the few antibiotics able to counteract the effects of MRSAis vancomycin but there are the complications from ongoing antibiotic treatment.

The Effects of Antibiotic Treatment 

There is a growing misconception as to antibiotics in general. Antibiotics, by themselves, do not cure infection. These types of medication do not kill the bacteria or contaminant. I does not have the ability to identify dangerous and foreign elements in the body and take action to neutralize them. The body's immune system is the one with both the capacity and ability to do this. What the antibiotic does though is supports the body's own immune system to be better able the increased activity of viral antigens or bacteria in the body. The antibiotic stimulates the creation of more immune agents in the body to enable it to combat and effectively kill off the bacterial infection.

Thus the misuse and overuse of antibiotics creates an occasion that the body has a higher tolerance for antibiotic agents. With the greater amount of antibiotic medication present, the body adjusts itself to accommodate the chemical change. As one stops taking antibiotics, the bacteria that was not destroyed is able to flourish, assimilating itself to the environment of higher tolerance to the chemicals brought about by the antibiotic overuse or misuse. This is one of the complications from ongoing antibiotic treatment and how antibiotic resistant bacteria are created, like the dreaded MRSA.

The Complications Identified 

The greatest complication from ongoing antibiotic treatment has been identified, that is the creation of "superbugs". Here are some other complications from ongoing antibiotic treatment. 

Contraction of clostridium difficile, or C-Diff. This new bacteria is well known in the community as a result of antibiotic therapy. Often it presents itself as a form of intestinal flu resulting in diarrhea that is hard to cure.
Some types of antibiotics, such as Vancomycin is effective against staph infection but there is already growing concern that the drug creates Vancomycin resistant intestinal flora which creates infections of the gastrointestinal tract.
The use of the antibiotic Linezolid or Zyvox has been found to have a significant effect on the bone marrow. The drug, when used long term, has been seen to cause anemia, low white blood cell count, low platelet counts or even lead to a decreased production of the cell products of the bone marrow.
To better understand what you are up against in MRSA and in order to find out the complications from ongoing antibiotic treatments prescribed you.

Let's recap what we've learned in this article:

? It is possible to naturally treat MRSA Symptoms using proven effective inexpensive and safe methods, without ongoing antibiotic treatment which may cause further complications.

? If you're interested to learn more about beating MRSA naturally using proven techniques, then get FREE information at http://www.mrsa-staph-infection.com

MRSA Transmission in Hotels - Is No Place Safe?

Reducing Risk of MRSA in Hotel Rooms

Because of increased reports of MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus), sometimes called MERSA, a staph infection that is resistant to most antibiotics, public places such as schools, hospitals, health clubs, and hotels/motels need to take additional precautions in order to protect patrons.

MRSA, which can enter the body through small cuts or wounds, is more deadly than other staph infections. If left untreated, it can cause death within days. For those in the hospitality industry, improving cleaning and decontamination methods are important in order to keep exposure to MRSA to a minimum.

Safety Procedures to Prevent MRSA for Hotel/Motel Staff and Guests

In the past, most hotel/motel housekeeping crews cleaned visible surfaces using a general disinfectant cleaner. Many times, these cleaners contained mild sterilzing and odor controlling chemicals, but not much else. Housekeeping crews cleaned the tops of dressers, bathrooms, and mirrors. They replaced dirty linens, took out the trash, and vacuumed the room.

While these cleaning methods used to be enough to keep people safe, housekeeping crews now need be trained in better cleaning procedures, almost HAZMAT standard in order to maintain sanitary guest accommodations.

These procedures to reduce MRSA infection include:

* Following usage instructions on all cleaning chemicals

* Using cleaning supplies that contain bacteria killing chemicals

* Washing all towels, linens, and bedspreads in hot water with bleach to disinfect

* Rotating towels and other items used for cleaning to prevent spreading bacteria from a dirty surface to a clean one

* Wearing gloves at all times when cleaning rooms, bathrooms, and when removing trash

* Reporting any chemical spills, water damage, and other suspicious incidents to supervisors

* Changing vacuum bags as directed

* Following all procedures included in the MSDS (Materials Safety Data Sheet) when handling chemicals

* Update all procedure documentation every six months

* Hold training courses for new staff

When these procedures are followed, the risk of spreading MRSA and other bacterial infections are reduced, yet still just 99.9% effective.

Impact of MRSA and MRSA Infection on the Hospitality Industry

The impact of MRSA on hotels and motels that do not improve their cleaning procedures for MRSA prevention can affect the hospitality industry in many ways. Not only have hotels been closed in the past for not adopting the procedures mentioned above, others have been forced to close permanently because of a lack in public trust.

But MRSA does not only affect guests. It can also affect those working for the hotel. If hotel employees are not given the proper protective clothing including gloves, smock, or uniform, they are at an increased risk of a MRSA infection or bacterial infection. In addition to training housekeeping crews how to properly clean hotel rooms and other areas, safety training is also necessary to prevent spreading the MRSA infection to other employees.

Training for MRSA prevention should include the following:

* Washing hands periodically during the day

* Changing gloves multiple times when cleaning rooms and cleaning public areas such as lobbies, public bathrooms, and restaurant areas (the bacteria can be transferred from gloves to other surfaces easily)

* Covering all wounds and cuts before starting a shift

* Attending to all open wounds immediately to prevent an infection

* Reporting suspicious substances, chemicals, and other items immediately

* Washing uniforms each day after shift is over

Preventing bacterial & MRSA Infection should be a Top Priority

Hotels, motels, and other places that cater to the public need to recognize that preventing bacterial infections like MRSA should be a top priority. By switching to cleaners that kill more bacteria, washing linens and other items in hot water with bleach and disinfectants, and offering frequent training sessions for all employees, cases of MRSA can be greatly reduced in the hospitality industry.

All these precautions are a first line of defense against the killer bacteria but not enough to protect everybody from not getting MRSA infection. The current antibiotics, disinfectants and chlorine products are 99.9% effective against MRSA. The .1% is still causing 18,000 deaths per year. Ninety-nine percent effective just is good enough.

Is there anything to do NOW before more people get a MRSA Infection and die?

Now there really is MRSA prevention. It is a preventative proactive product that kills the MRSA bacteria before they get inside your body. It's a gas called chlorine dioxide (CL02).

It's safe, 100% effective and has been used for over 150 years. A special packet design contains the powder that produces CL02 when moisture is added. It emits small amounts of the gas that kills odors, bacteria, germs and best of all, MRSA. It also kills mold and spores which can be another serious health problem.

This new product doesn't require evacuation of buildings or rooms nor people in HAZMAT suits to apply it. And the cost is considerably less than any HAZMAT treatment or evacuation.

To learn more about killing bacteria, odors, and even the MRSA bacteria for good, keeping your family and you safe from MRSA when you travel, visit Our website.

Debbie McMeyer Visit our OdorXit website.

6 Urgent Questions and Answers About the Superbug Named MRSA

Did you know that "pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis" is the longest English word? It is an alleged lung disease. Another lengthy term is methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, which you can also refer to as MRSA. If you work in the medical field, then you should certainly know about this word. Differing from the first term mentioned, MRSA certainly exists. Here are some important questions and answers regarding MRSA:

1. What is MRSA?

In short, MRSA is a bacterium. However, it is more complicated than that. If you are healthy, and have MRSA living atop your skin or inside your nose, then they create no harm to you. However, if you undergo surgery, become exhausted, or get wounded, then MRSA can become a threat to your well being. Once MRSA enters your body, such as through the skin, it could result in a staphylococcal infection, or "staph" infection.

2. Can doctors use antibiotics to kill MRSA?

Yes, but the treatments can be pricey and challenging. While physicians can prescribe antibiotics to treat MRSA, not all of them are effective. Several types of antibiotics are ineffective in killing MRSA. For instance, MRSA is resistant to antibiotics that resemble penicillin.

3. Does MRSA only live in hospitals?

Historically, MRSA has been most problematic in healthcare environments, such as nursing homes and hospitals. Healthcare employees have attempted to prevent the transmission of the bacteria, by taking certain actions. These include washing their hands frequently; and wearing hygienic clothing, such as cheap landau scrubs.

However, MRSA have recently appeared more frequently in environments outside of healthcare facilities.

4. How widespread is MRSA?

Estimates show that roughly 90,000 people die annually in US hospitals, due to infections that bacteria cause. Of that figure, the majority of the deaths involve MRSA. During the past 1.5-2.0 decades or so, the occurrences of MRSA have increased dramatically. While it is unknown how many people MRSA typically infects, staph bacteria infect about a quarter of the US population, at any given time.

5. What causes MRSA to spread?

MRSA is most common in various healthcare facilities, such as health clinics and medical centers. However, MRSA also occurs in various other environments. These include contact contact sports locations, and prisons.

In almost all causes, direct physical contact causes the transmission of MRSA. Thus, when people become in close proximity to people infected with MRSA, transmission becomes more likely. People can also acquire MRSA by touching objects that are infected with the bacteria. They include:

o clothing

o sheets

o sports equipment

o towels

o workout areas

6. What are MRSA's symptoms?

Typically, infections appear on the skin. However, MRSA becomes more problematic when it enters the bloodstream. The results could result in arthritis, meningitis, pneumonia, etc.

MRSA is not simply an acronym for a certain bacteria. Instead, this type of bacteria can result in serious health difficulties, and even death. Hospitals must be constantly proactive in prevent MRSA, by using methods such as the wearing of scrubs. This will help to shorten the life of a germ with a long name.

Just How Scary Is The MRSA Staph Infection?

The staph superbug, also known as MRSA, is a scary reality in today's world. What used to be just found in hospitals and nursing homes is now seen in many different communities such as schools and workplaces - in the form known as community-associated MRSA.

MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is an infection that is primarily seen on the skin, and it is usually transmitted from people who don't even know that they are carrying the disease. These people, comprising up to one third of the population, are known as being "colonized" and they can spread MRSA, the superbug, to people who have wounds or other ways of the bacteria entering their skin.

All staph infections, including MRSA have similar symptoms. The skin shows the first signs, with small red bumps that can look like pimples, or spider bites. Once advanced, these small staph bumps can turn into abscesses, which can be deep, painful and require surgical drainage. If not taken care of promptly, MRSA or even regular staph can progress beyond the skin. Once in the body, they can cause life-threatening problems and infections in the blood, heart, lungs and other parts of the body. Here is where the real fear lies - as the MRSA can't be treated as easily as simple staph.

This severe progression can happen quickly, as MRSA can easily progress from the skin to other parts of the body - especially if the person affected is very young, very old or has a compromised immune system. Unfortunately, most of the communities that MRSA is found in - hospitals, nursing homes and now schools, are filled with the people who are most likely to be severely affected by MRSA. It is important to keep an eye on any skin issues, even if they just look like pimples or spider bites. These small bumps can turn into infected abscesses.

If you or your child contract a skin infection, make sure that you have your doctor check for the superbug, MRSA, when you see him or her. If you are mistreated for an ordinary staph infection with typical antibiotics, they will not work, and can cause more problems in the long run. Your doctor or hospital can check for MRSA by taking a nasal swab or a tissue sample. These samples will be grown in a lab for about 48 hours, and then checked to see if they are truly MRSA. If your variant of staph is MRSA, you may be quarantined or otherwise watched in a hospital - so this is a very important test to have done.

John Grimes is with AllTerrainco.com - makers of natural santizer that kills the MRSA Staph Superbug in less than 15 seconds.

Signs of MRSA Infection

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection, also known as MRSA has been given certain names over the years, two of them being 'staph infection' and 'super bug'. If we enquire into these two nicknames, 'super bug' will be more suitable for MRSA infection, but that does not imply that MRSA has nothing in common with a staph infection.

MRSA spreads just the same way as a staph infection, that is, through contact of an open wound or an object. Moreover, its appearance in the initial stages also makes patients and doctors believe that it's a staph infection. But the real difference arises, when the time for treatment comes; MRSA is highly resistant to antibiotics as opposed to a staph infection which gets cured through their dose.

More than one-fourth of the population is infected with ordinary staph infection, and only 2 percent of this section carries MRSA infection. Most MRSA patients are totally unaware of the deadly threat that they are carrying. People with weaker immune systems are easy victims for MRSA and they show the first indications of the deadly bacteria becoming part of their body. And the gravity of situation can be realized if we come to know that how much people comprise this 2 percent.

Initially patients ignore the symptoms of MRSA as nothing but acne pimples or rashes. The patient should feel very lucky if these symptoms do not go beyond red bumps, as many patients undergo severe pain as these bumps turn into painful boils full of pus. After these big red boils emerge, the suffering of the patient forces him to visit a doctor, but by this time the condition becomes incurable.

The major symptoms of MRSA infection start to show when it finds its way to the internal organs through bloodstream. Some patients suffer from meningitis and pneumonia, while others undergo severe syndrome shock and digestion problems. The reason why these diseases are contracted is that MRSA weakens the immune system built inside the body, which results in weak resistance to bacteria. Many patients suffer from concentrated MSRA infection, and doctors think better to cut their infected limb to stop the infection from reaching the rest of the body.

MRSA infection can have devastating effects if it is not controlled in its initial stages. The reason why it kills so many patients is that it is not recognized and diagnosed before it reaches the bloodstream of the patient. But with scientists engaged in relentless research we can just hope that sooner rather than later, we will find ways to save people from MRSA.

Find out more about the signs of MRSA infection and details of the MRSA virus.

How You Can Benefit!

The Risks of Contracting MRSA During Traditional or Cosmetic Tattooing

There is a slight risk of MRSA with permanent cosmetics (cosmetic tattooing) and traditional tattooing, but it is a highly unlikely complication if the rigorous standards of hygiene required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are adhered to.

MRSA is a staph infection, correctly named Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (staph), and is caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. Such bacteria can mutate in response to antibiotics, which is why antibiotics such as the various types of penicillin, should not be used excessively. MRSA developed in the early1960s as a strain of staph that resisted the antibiotic agents commonly used to treat it, and was amongst the first of the so-called 'superbugs' that could resist all but the strongest drugs.

It is interesting to note that about 30% of people carry the staph bacteria in their nose or on their skin. The bacteria have not made them ill, but are using such people as hosts on whom they cause no ill effects. It is possible, however, for such hosts to pass the bacteria on to others. Ordinary staphylococcus infections are passed on through cuts and grazes, and also by tattooing with unsterilized needles, or tattooing done in unclean environments. Our immune systems usually defeat the bacteria, however, with those whose immune systems have been weakened, such as the elderly, AIDs victims or those on anti-cancer treatment, these can cause serious infections.

About 10 years ago, MRSA began to appear in the general population, and is now referred to as CA-MRSA, or Community Acquired MRSA that can cause serious infections of the skin and of soft tissues, and it can also cause a serious form of pneumonia. Hospital Acquired, or HA-MRSA, is contracted during hospitalization, especially by those with a weakened immune system or suffering from burns or with surgical wounds. Long term care facilities are also prone to HA-MRSA as are those patients recently subjected to invasive procedures such as gastric tubes, catheterization or even by regular or cosmetic tattooing. The elderly are particularly susceptible.

There are two ways in which you can catch MRSA. The first is by contact with somebody who has the disease themselves or from a carrier (30% of population). Even skin contact can pass it on. The second is by touching any object that has been touched by a carrier or infected person, such as door handles, towels, faucets, furniture - in fact anything at all that has not been properly cleaned.

Since about a third of the population are carriers, it is little wonder that those ill in hospital are particularly prone to it since relatively few hospital visitors employ standards of personal hygiene necessary to control it. Frequent washing of hands with antiseptic or alcohol based sanitizers is one of the best defenses against MRSA (your own hands and also those of visitors, nurses and doctors), and you should also keep your personal items to yourself. Do not share razors, towels, etc., and in hospitals all equipment should be properly wiped down with hospital grade disinfectants, or sterilized in the case of surgical instruments.

MRSA first appears as small pimples that rapidly grow and develop into ulcers, boils, abscesses and carbuncles in which the skin has several ruptures leading to a pus filled cavity below. So how can it be treated if it is resistant to antibiotics? Well, luckily, it is not resistant (yet) to all antibiotics.

Linezoloid and vancomycin can still be used to kill them off, and some colonies of the nose and other mucous membranes can be killed off using a mupirocin antibiotic cream. It is generally best to test the actual bacteria that are infecting an individual to determine the most effective agent available, because they mutate so quickly that what worked last month might not this month.

It is also of critical importance to finish off any treatment given to you. Much of the resistance to antibiotics is due to a patient feeling better part of the way through their antibiotic course, and not finishing it. Although they feel better, the bacteria have not all been killed off and those remaining can develop a resistance against the type of antibiotic that it has been treated with. If you complete the course, none will survive to mutate.

So where do the various forms of tattooing figure in all of this? It has already been implied that MRSA can be contracted during tattooing, as it can during any technique that involves breaking the skin. However, just as injections and inoculations do not normally cause MRSA, neither does tattooing. The risk is exceptionally low if the correct standards of hygiene are employed, and if they are then you are many times less likely to contract MRSA through cosmetic tattooing than through a visit to your dentist or a hospital.

You are more likely to contract the disease through burns and scarring, than through the technique used to permanently hide them with cosmetic tattooing camouflage. The clothing and working environment employed in tattooing establishments are usually controlled by the local and state departments of health, as are the sterilization procedures for the instruments used. New needles must be used on each client, and they should also be sterilized before use. All other equipment used should also be sterilized, and disposable parts, such as the needles, should be disposed of safely after use.

Such premises should be licensed and regularly checked to ensure that the proper standards are being adhered to and that, for example, all technicians are wearing a new pair of gloves and other personal protective equipment for each client. The technician should be wearing clean clothing, and all other environmental aspects of the clinic that can pass on infections should be regularly cleaned with a disinfectant such as bleach. So question and keep an eye on your tattooist, and if these procedures are being followed, then you can feel safe from catching MRSA, or any blood borne pathogens such as hepatitis or AIDS, while undergoing traditional or cosmetic tattooing, also known as permanent cosmetic makeup.

Time For a MRSA Risk Assessment at Home

We like to do what we want, when we want, and when things go wrong there is always someone else to blame. Unfortunately when it comes to the home the buck stops with the parents. Scream as you like, protest as you like, it does not matter. Unless someone takes the time to look at your home and make sure that MRSA does not have a breeding ground then someone will get sick and may die.

High risk places in the home

* Bathroom/toilet

There is a high risk MRSA gets onto your hands every time you use the toilet as the parts of the body near the genitals are very liable to be colonized with MRSA. So wash your hands thoroughly and dry them every time you go to the toilet. Make sure the wash hand basin is in the same room as the toilet, or you'll spread MRSA onto the door handles. Make sure your hands are dry before you touch the door handle again. Sounds simple and yet it is not being done. All too often we leave the toilet without washing our hands or without wiping them. We leave MRSA on the door handle to contaminate the next person. We must clean the whole area regularly and make sure that we do not allow anyone from the youngest to the eldest to mess the place up with MRSA.

* Kitchen.

Are your hands washed and clean before food preparation? Are your hands washed and clean before doing the dishes. Do children play in the kitchen on the work counters or table and spread MRSA? Stop it and start again with a whole new regime in the kitchen to keep MRSA at bay.

* Where you store all that sports gear

One season ends and the next sports season begins. Then the chore comes where all the sports gear needs to be cleaned, and put away. How many of you have cleaned the bats and balls, the protective gear and the towels? How many of your children share the same bats, balls and protective gear. Take all the shirts and wash them. If they are too dirty or there are too many of them then take them to the Laundromat and wash them there or ask for them to be washed for you. This includes the towel used when anyone goes golfing. While you are doing all of this you can check everything you wear, and decide if next season you'll need new. Remember don't share. Don't leave it lying around. Wash and use it. Now there may be more research into the storage of sports gear where you will need to wash things more regularly. I don't make the rules but I know that not to wash and clean things at least every season is a major danger for you and your children.

* Your backyard

Your backyard needs to be regularly cut to avoid MRSA sticking to the grass when the children play. Animal excrement needs to be removed and disposed of. We all need to clean up our backyard and do it thoroughly.

* The bedrooms

We carry the virus on our body. In very hot weather we can easily transfer MRSA onto the sheets by not wearing any nightwear. The answer is to regularly wash the sheets. Then there is a teenager's debris where clothes get thrown onto the floor. If it's on the floor wash it. Clean the floor as well.

We will be looking at the dangers of pets to pets in another article in this series, but I hope I have started you thinking about cutting down the amount of MRSA you and your family spread to your household.

MRSA - You need to protect yourself today from this terrible disease. Learn all you can now to protect yourself and your family. Our guide will help you to discover some of the hidden secrets of MRSA http://mrsa-infection-symptoms.com/

Dr Tom Robinson

Dr. Tom Robinson's Medical Roundtable Conference Call!

Tonight’s Special Guest is Dr. Max Adler MD, Dermatologist & IBA

IV-7 Direct National Conference Call

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On our calls, you'll learn about our revolutionary process that has the power to transform the way we defend ourselves and our loved ones against bacteria and viruses. You'll also learn about our international expansion. We look forward to continuing to inform, educate and SAVE LIVES with IV-7 Ultimate Germ Defense™ and our other soon-to-be-announced products.

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What is the MRSA Infection?

Several issues have arisen in the past years due to the controversies surrounding MRSA infection. Mainly, the problem was supposedly due to the tolerance of the causative agents to a number of treatments. The good news is that the disease is caused by a strain of bacteria so there is always hope for early detection, prevention and successful treatment.

MRSA Infection Description

MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus stemming from the primary bacteria that cause the disease - Staphylococcus aureus. The infection may also be commonly called "staph" or MERSA infection. Take note that there are several forms or strains of the bacteria. A few decades earlier, the type that emerged with MRSA infection left doctors and medical experts confused and frustrated because it was able to withstand many of the most potent drugs at the time. MRSA has also been referred to as "superbug" because of its tolerant characteristics. MRSA symptoms are usually reminiscent to that of pneumonia and it can be fatal if left untreated for a long time.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are not uncommon in majority of all people in the world. These are normally present on human skin or inside the nose. It is very possible for individuals to harbor the agents but do not manifest sickly symptoms which indicates that the staph have colonized but did not infect the system. Individuals with MRSA colonization can live normal lives indefinitely. The disadvantage is that they are also capable of transmitting the germs to other people.

Generally, staph presence is not dangerous unless the germs enter the system. In most cases, bacteria affecting open wounds and blood circulation will only result to minor skin problems and mild fever which can quickly be fended off by the body's defense system. Young children and the elderly however may be more at risk of developing more serious effects because of their immature or weakened immune responses. Without proper defensive actions in the body, minor symptoms can immediately progress to complications and other serious diseases.

The Spread

MRSA has been discovered several decades back but a new type was found during the 1990s which was referred to as community-associated MRSA or CA-MRSA. This has been a major concern among physicians since it can lead to major skin and soft tissue infections as well as severe pneumonia.

In the 1990s, a type of MRSA started to appear in the bigger community. Today, that form of staph, called CA-MRSA or community-associated MRSA causes several serious soft tissue and skin infections and for a serious form of pneumonia. Methicillin-resistant staph infections have been growing in number since 1995. About 25% to 30% of Americans have colonized staph without harmful effects but the rate of those who acquired the germs and got infected has significantly grown. At present, roughly 40% of all staph isolates are MRSA considering that the figure was only 10% ten years ago.

People should be vigilant about early detection of signs and symptoms since prognosis is very good for those who are placed under treatment immediately. Doctors will screen and perform diagnostic tests depending on the characteristics shown and reaction of patients. Some patients may need special care and procedures if they tend to be more at risk for complications. Infection control and patient education are great ways to keep the rapid spread at bay.

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The Super Bug - MRSA and Its Symptoms

MRSA is an abbreviation for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. This bacterium is known to cause skin infections along with many other types of infections. MRSA is called a "super bug" because the infections caused by this organism are resistant to many common antibiotics like the ones belonging to the beta-lactam family, including methicillin and penicillin.

MRSA belongs to the large group of bacteria known as Staphylococci, often referred to as Staph.

The symptoms of MRSA infection depend on the part of the body that has been infected. It generally appears as a skin infection, like a boil or abscess. It also might infect a surgical wound. You could detect it if that area of your body looks swollen, red, and painful or is filled with pus. Other signs for this infection are:

Sty: It is the infection of eyelid gland

Carbuncles: These are infections larger than an abscess, usually with several openings to the skin

Impetigo: This is a skin infection with pus-filled blisters

You should be very careful if these symptoms are visible on your body as many people don't take it seriously and mistake it for a spider bite. One major problem with MRSA is that many a times the skin infection can spread to other parts of the body as well. And when this happens, it leads to the development of more severe symptoms. In fact, spread of this bacterium to internal organs can become life-threatening. Therefore, you should never take any symptom lightly and consult the doctor right away.

If MRSA infects the lungs and causes pneumonia, you might experience the following:

o Shortness of breath

o Fever

o Cough

o Chills

There can be other MRSA symptoms as it can infect the urinary tract or the bloodstream also.

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Where Has MRSA Gone?

Throughout the year 2005, newspaper and television programs were filled with stories about the new superbug "MRSA," but lately there has hardly been a word spoken about this deadly bacteria. Has MRSA gone away? Even though MRSA no longer makes news headlines, this life threatening bug is more abundant than it ever was before.

Sadly, many people simply forget about important topics once they are no longer spread through mass media. To disregard MRSA as yesterday's news is simply a poor decision. MRSA kills high school athletes within days, it stalks and ravages those laying weak inside of hospitals, and it preys upon open wounds of any kind. The truth is, that if you look hard enough you can easily find reports detailing all of the things MRSA has been responsible for within the past few months.

The United States government just released a report stating that nearly 90,000 Americans are infected with the superbug MRSA each year. Frighteningly, those deaths that MRSA has caused outnumber the amount of deaths due to AIDS within the United States. Just how bad is this superbug? Out of 100,000 people, nearly 32 people will experience some sort of deadly and invasive superbug infection.

Recently, a 17 year old high school senior from Virginia was infected with MRSA. Within days, this superbug spread to the high school student's lungs, liver, kidney, and heart leading to instant death. Prior to this superbug infection, the aforementioned high school senior had never been sick a day in their life. Even though all of these stories and statistics are scary, they are not the most frightening part of the entire superbug outbreak.

MRSA can live on your skin, and it especially likes to cling to the noses of otherwise healthy people. If you are carrying some form of MRSA, you will likely not even know it. However, your children, friends, and family can easily catch MRSA from you if this superbug is merely resting on your skin. Without adequate protection, you (and thousands of other people like you) can easily spread MRSA throughout your neighborhood in a matter of days.

Even if you show no signs of MRSA, take the necessary steps in order to keep all those around you safe. Simply washing your hands with hot water is not enough, and MRSA can only be killed while it is on your skin with "Hand Sanz" antibacterial spray. Though Hand Sanz cannot stop MRSA once it has entered a person's blood stream, it will kill any sort of superbug already living on your skin. If you truly want to help the general population from contracting this deadly MRSA disease, Hand Sanz will stop it in its tracks.

John Grimes is with AllTerrainco.com - makers of Hand Sanz Sanitizer which kills MRSA staph infection with one application. Visit us to read the lab results of the test.

MRSA Outbreaks In Health Clubs

MRSA Outbreaks in Health Clubs are Increasing

Everyday the news reports are full of information about MRSA (methicillin resistant staph aureus) outbreaks in the community. As MRSA crosses the threshold from contained hospital breakouts to the general population, the local health club is a prime place for unchecked person-to-person MRSA transmission. Protection from the risks of methicillin resistant staph transmission in the health club should be of great concern to everyone - health club members and health club business owners alike.

The Risk of Exposure to MRSA is Real in the Health Club Environment

We all know that health clubs are not the most hygienic places. If you stop to think about it, you might choose not to frequent workout rooms at all. Take dripping sweat from the diligent exercisers that frequent health club, add the normal hygiene problems associated with shared workout equipment, mix in the unavoidable locker room moisture and you have a perfect environment for MRSA to thrive - in effect, a gigantic incubator. The skin is the body's first defense against infection, but everyone has normal breaks in the skin and injuries from day to day living. These seemingly harmless paper cuts, hangnails and abrasions can be lethal in combination with exposure to methicillin resistant staphylococcus and other antibiotic resistant microorganisms. The unavoidable dynamics that exist in every single health club across the country are methicillin-resistant disasters waiting to happen. Although the current health club practice of providing antiseptic wipes for swabbing equipment before and after use is admirable, it is by no means adequate.

MRSA Exposure Costs Lives

At the worst end of the spectrum of outcomes, MRSA infection can cause death to those unfortunate enough to become infected. The symptoms of MRSA infection are subtle enough to be missed on first pass. The very nature of a MRSA infection means that the antibiotic regimen simply may not be effective.

MRSA Exposure can be Costly to a Health Club Owner

There are so many unknowns for the Health Club owner. There is no way to know which client(s) may be carrying this devastating superbug. Health club owners can't stop the sweat; there is no surefire way to make sure the equipment is clean between clients and the locker room is a virtual incubator for the growth of methicillin resistant organisms. Current practices for health club sanitation are most assuredly not sufficient to protect clients. Every health club owner should be asking what they can do to assure Health Club and locker room safety. The impact of having rumors of unsanitary condition or worst yet having a health club facility shut down by the department of health because of MRSA can result in financial ruin.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is no respecter of persons. At every level, we need to be concerned about how to deal with protecting clients against MRSA in the health club.

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When a Spider Bite Isn't a Spider Bite - MRSA Infection - Dangers and Treatment

You swear you've been bitten by a spider. Naturally you didn't see the 8-legged critter - you were sleeping. But there are spiders in your house and you spent a lot of time cleaning cobwebs over the weekend. When you notice a red bump that looks like a bug bite, it's only logical to think that it's a spider bite. But when the little red bump becomes larger and redder you ask yourself if perhaps it was a poisonous spider. Or maybe you're allergic to spider bites. When the spot becomes large enough, you decide to see your doctor.

The above is a common scenario, sending thousands of patients to their doctor each week. But if you go to your doctor with the above story, your doctor will likely say the lesion is not a spider bite.

Why? In recent years a new infection has been spreading that has the appearance of what people assume is a spider bite. This infection, community-acquired methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is not really new. It's been around in hospitals for decades, but in recent years it has moved into the community. Luckily, it's generally not as severe as that seen in hospitals, in part because its victims are usually healthier than hospitalized patients, and also because the bacteria itself is somewhat less aggressive.

MRSA presents most commonly as a skin infection, but over the past few years I have seen other infections caused by this microbe including pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and bowel infection. However, it has the potential to effect any body part.

The problem with this infection is that antibiotics that normally work to kill staph germs do not necessarily kill off MRSA germs. Specifically, antibiotics that are usually chosen to treat staph infections (methicillin and other forms of penicillin) will not work. Nowadays if a staph infection is suspected, your doctor may treat you with two different types of antibiotics until the results of a culture are available. If there is a high prevalence of MRSA in your community, your physician may choose an antibiotic to treat this specific infection from the outset.

What's the big deal about a staph infection? A lesion the size of a bug bite may heal itself if you have a good immune system. However, the risk is that it will spread to your blood stream, your bones, your heart, or your lungs - all potentially fatal infections.

Don't take a chance. If you think you have a spider bite, and didn't actually see the spider bite you, go to your doctor. There are effective antibiotics. It's not worth dying in case you were wrong.

Copyright 2010 Cynthia J. Koelker, M.D.

For practical advice on affordable health care visit: http://101waystosavemoneyonhealthcare.blogspot.com/

To read more articles by this author, visit:
http://ezinearticles.com/?expert_bio=Cynthia_Koelker

Permission is hereby granted to publish this copyrighted article elsewhere on the web or in print media, in whole or in part, with the stipulation that Dr. Koelker be properly credited as author, and that the material be unaltered with regard to content.

Cynthia J. Koelker MD is a family physician of over twenty years, and holds degrees from MIT, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and the University of Akron. She is the author of "101 Ways to Save Money on Healthcare."

Are Your Nurse Aides in the Know About MRSA?

Do your nursing assistants know that half of all people carry staph bacteria around on their bodies - without getting sick from it? But, that if they have staph on their skin and it "jumps" onto their clients, they might get very sick? If not, they could benefit from learning the basics about MRSA. Here is information about this common bacteria, who gets sick from it, how MRSA is spread and what your CNAs can do to prevent its spread. Feel free to share this info with the nurse aides at your workplace.

What is MRSA?

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (or MRSA, for short) is a bacteria that has learned how to fight back against antibiotics in the penicillin "family". Staphylococcus Aureus-usually just called "staph"-is commonly found in the noses and on the skin of healthy people. It is usually a harmless "passenger", but when it turns toxic, it causes minor illnesses (like pimples and boils) or serious illnesses (like pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome).

The antibiotic, methicillin, has been used for years to treat staph infections and is still successful in some cases. However, MRSA germs are staph bacteria that have become "super bugs". They are drug-resistant!

Until recently, MRSA was rare, causing less than 1% of all staph infections seen in the hospital. Today, things have changed dramatically. The latest research found that of all the staph infections among intensive care patients, 65% of them are caused by MRSA.

The vast majority of MRSA infections occur among patients in hospitals and other healthcare settings. However, you've probably seen in the news that MRSA is becoming more common in community settings-like schools, military housing, prisons and athletic locker rooms. This is because MRSA thrives in crowded areas where there is a good chance of skin-to-skin contact.

Who Gets MRSA?

Infection control experts believe that over 1 million hospital patients were infected with MRSA in 2006.In health care workplaces, MRSA germs tend to live on the patients. Elderly and/or very sick people are most at risk for MRSA. If they have an open wound (such as a bedsore) or a tube going into the body (like a Foley catheter), their risk is even higher. In addition, MRSA attacks people with compromised immune systems-such as people with AIDS.

People can also be "colonized" with MRSA, meaning that they carry the MRSA germs on their body without any signs of infection. Doctors estimate that over 400,000 Americans were colonized with MRSA in the last year alone!

How is MRSA spread...and Can It Be Treated?

MRSA germs can be found on the skin, in the nose and in the blood or urine. Most commonly, the bacteria are spread between people through physical contact. In healthcare facilities, it is usually healthcare workers who spread the germs from patient to patient on their hands, clothing or instruments.

While MRSA bacteria do not travel through the air, they can live for days on personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing or uniforms-anything that has had contact with MRSA infected skin or body fluids.

The good news is that most MRSA infections are treatable with powerful antibiotics. The treatment may be in the form of a pill, an IV or a topical antibiotic cream. The most important part of treatment for an MRSA infection is that people follow the directions for taking the antibiotic-and don't stop taking it just because they are feeling better or it looks like their infection is gone. That's one of the reasons that staph bacteria became drug-resistant in the first place!

Here's the deal: antibiotics kill enough bacteria to control a person's infection, beginning with the weakest germs. Because no antibiotic can destroy every harmful germ in someone's body, there are always some bacteria left. (This is especially true if the person stops taking the antibiotic before the prescription is finished.) The strongest germs survive and teach themselves how to fight the antibiotic.

So, when a doctor prescribes antibiotics for MRSA infections, it is vital that people take all the doses. They should not share their antibiotic with others or "save" some of the doses to use at a later time.

In addition to medication, some MRSA infections may need to be cut open and drained by a physician. And, some MRSA infections may return after being treated. If this happens, people should seek medical attention.

What Can You Do to Prevent MRSA?

Remember...MRSA is most often spread by human hands-especially healthcare workers' hands. Your hands may become contaminated with MRSA bacteria by touching people who are either infected or colonized with the germ. If you don't wash your hands properly with soap and water (or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer), the bacteria can be spread when you touch other clients. To reduce the spread of MRSA in your workplace, the Centers for Disease Control (the CDC) recommends that you:

Wash your hands between every patient contact. Wear gloves and disposable gowns when working with patients who have staph infections. Disinfect stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and other patient equipment after each use. Move patients who have been diagnosed with MRSA into private rooms. Follow any other infection control policies for your workplace. To reduce the spread of MRSA in community settings, you can: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Avoid touching other people's wounds. Avoid sharing personal items like razors and towels. Use antibiotics only when necessary. Some Final Tips on MRSA

It is easier to prevent staph infections than it is to treat them. When working with a client who has MRSA, you should wash your hands and put on gloves before entering the client's room. Clients who are infected with MRSA usually need to be in a room of their own. Good hygiene is the #1 way to prevent the spread of MRSA!

Is this Your Company???

Is this Your Company???

Could Hotels Be The Source Of Your Community Acquired MRSA?

If you're going anywhere in or out of the U.S. for your vacation or business, be sure to double check with the hotel that you're going to be staying. The MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) sometimes spelled MERSA, super bug has been showing up in hotels all over the world making people sick.

MRSA is a tough to kill staph bacterium that can be contracted by human contact and be deadly to those who already have a weak, compromised immune system. Even healthy people are not safe from getting this infection. All you need is a scratch or sore for the MRSA to enter your body.

Have you ever looked at your bed sheets or been in the bed eating, room service of course, dropped a piece of food on the sheets and wondered if you should eat it or not?

* It can't be as dirty as the floor.

* Have the sheets been cleaned since the last person was in this room?

* How well were they cleaned if they were cleaned at all?

* What about the napkin and how about the towels in the bathroom?

* Did somebody wipe an open cut or their nose on the towels and how well were they washed and sanitized?

That's exactly how you do get Community Acquired MRSA. Out in the community where other people frequent. You can't wash your hands every time you shake hands with someone, touch a door knob or handrail. You can only hope the facility you are in changes their air filters often to not circulate the bacteria and cleans all surfaces well.

And what about the airplane you flew on to get to your hotel? The little man who sat next to you, sneezed the whole flight. What bacteria did he share with everybody? You can't stay home either, you have to make a living. So you pretty much have to take your chances that the better hotels have taken some precautions to clean the best they can. But was it good enough?

If Community Acquired MRSA is Antibiotic Resistant is Sterilizing the Answer?

Unfortunately MRSA is resistant to most antibiotics and sterilants. Treating this infection can be difficult. Health officials blame the over use of antibiotics. Most of the foods we eat today have been treated with antibiotics in one form or another too. So we really have allowed MRSA to build a high tolerance for antibiotics.

MRSA was started in hospitals that were less than sanitary and has continued to live and breed in most places where humans tend to congregate. Chlorine and other disinfectants work only 99.9% of the time so what does "cleaning well" really mean?

Schools, gyms, airlines, hotels and even cruise ships can all be places harboring the Community Acquired MRSA bacteria. Even starting with a sterile environment, it is only sterile until another un-sterile person or item is brought into the area. Then the community acquired MRSA could easily be introduced again.

Is Shutting Down Facilities the Answer to MRSA Prevention?

In the past couple of years hotels and resorts in this country have been blamed for making their guests ill with the MRSA super bug. If they shut down it becomes very expensive and there's nothing that is 100% effective against community acquired MRSA anyway. What is the answer to MRSA Prevention?

Finally, There is Something 100% Effective for MRSA Prevention

Today there is something new. It's better than just washing your hands often and changing your air filter daily and washing towels, sheets, everything in more chlorine than you can stand to smell. This product is a safe and 100% effective packet that when you add moisture emits a safe gas throughout the room and kills all the bacteria, virus and MRSA super bugs in the area, in 4 hours or 3 weeks. It's the perfect odor and mold killer and oxidizes smoke too!

This product is chlorine dioxide and has been used for over 100 years to kill bacteria in water, pulp and more. The new packaging makes it so the building doesn't need to be evacuated like a HAZMAT procedure would and the cost is so much less than HAZMAT you'll be amazed. Just hang a packet in your stateroom or hotel room and wait. Or insist your hotel and cruise line use it themselves.

Keeping MRSA out is a lot cheaper then cleaning it out. Using this new proactive product will keep your employees healthy, your guests safe and happy, and safe and happy guests always come back.

Learn more about community acquired MRSA and how to protect yourself from MRSA in Your Next Hotel Stay http://www.odorXit.com?MRSE~ar113

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MRSA Staff Infection Can Be Fatal - Kill it Before it Kills You

The story of my son's encounter with MRSA...

It all started one day when my son was complaining about a bump on his chin. He said that the bump hurt him but since he is twelve going on thirteen I thought it was just one of those painful pimples adolescents get from time to time. So we treated it like a pimple but it wouldn't go away. He picked at the bump which made it worse and day by day it got larger, red and puss filled to the point where he could feel it inside of his mouth and it hurt him to eat.

After he kept complaining about it for about a week I came to the conclusion that maybe it wasn't just a pimple but I still didn't know what it was and thought it might be an insect or spider bite of some kind. Since some spider bites can be dangerous I decided to take him to the doctor to have it looked at and boy am I glad that I did.

I never really heard of MRSA, nor did I know how serious it was. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a bacterial infection which is a living organism that can commonly cause skin and other types of infections. Some of the signs and symptoms of the disease include: cellulitis, bumps on the skin, boils, abscesses, a sty, carbuncles, impetigo or other collections of puss in and under the skin. I found out that MRSA can be fatal in very serious cases. According to statistics from the Kaiser foundation in 2007 the mortality rate among hospitalized MRSA patients is estimated to be between 4% - 10%. In my research I also found out that more people die from MRSA in the United States every year than from AIDS. It became evident that we were dealing with a possible life threatening disease that we thought was just a pimple or bug bite.

The first clinic we got to was closing but the nurse practitioner took one glance at my son and said that it could be MRSA and that I needed to clean and cover the soar and get him to a doctor right away. No clinics were open so I purchased an over the counter aseptic and some bandages to get us through the night.

That night, when we applied the aseptic my son was in serious pain and the soar ruptured in his sleep due to the aseptic working on the infection. When the bump burst it even bled through the bandages. First thing in the morning I took him to urgent care and the doctor knew what it was immediately. She squeezed and squeezed the bump pushing puss out of it and took a culture to send to the lab. Antibiotics were prescribed for ten days and we received instructions to wash the sore with warm soapy water at least twice a day. The doctor also instructed us to apply hot compresses to the infected area 4 to 5 times a day so that it would come to a head and drain properly. It was also vitally important to keep the infected area completely covered with a bandage during the day and he had to wash his hands often.

MRSA Staff Infection is highly contagious and can be contracted simply by touching something an infected person has touched with the infection on their hands and then touching yourself somewhere. Trust me when I say that as humans we don't realize how many things we touch before rubbing our eyes or touching our faces and bodies. Just think about the items you touch in a store like the shopping cart someone else you don't even know just used or the credit card payment machine. Don't be germophobic but come into a greater awareness of all the places where germs can and do exist.

The doctor emphasized that no one should even use the same bathroom as my son if possible and absolutely under no circumstances should anyone use the same towel he had used not even to dry their hands. We still don't know where my son contracted MRSA from but since this type of infection has become popular as a community associated disease it can come from anywhere. My son plays baseball so he could have gotten it from wearing the catcher's mask or by touching equipment that had the disease on it from someone else. He also could have easily gotten from a school desk or counter top, the school restroom or even a borrowed pen.

We were extremely blessed that my son's case of MRSA was caught early and easily treated. Some others have not been so fortunate. I remember a client of mine telling me many years ago that she got MRSA from getting a staple in her finger at work and by the time she was treated her blood was poisoned and she had to have IV treatments for a number of months. Back then I didn't know what MRSA was but I remembered her experience when my son was diagnosed. To truly diagnose the disease you have to get the lab results back but the disease can be so deadly it is important to treat it as MRSA right away if MRSA is suspected and not wait on the results to start taking action.

Another incident I heard of from a friend was about her brother that had MRSA but it was misdiagnosed as a spider bite so he was given the wrong treatment while the MRSA got worse. By the time the doctors found out what it really was he had to have the infected area cut open and dug out almost reaching down to his bone. If MRSA is not properly treated and if all the infection is not removed it can come back and require further treatment. If you have a child with MRSA make sure you notify the school nurse and oversee the treatment of the disease carefully. It is also very important that the entire antibiotic treatment is taken to the very end and a follow up visit to the doctor is recommended upon completion of the antibiotics. As always, when taking antibiotics, plenty of water should be consumed.

MRSA can be fatal so kill it before it kills you! The steps to take are simple really. You've already taken the first step by reading this article and educating yourself about this disease. If you suspect that you or someone you know may have MRSA please see a doctor right away. Here are some tips for you to follow regarding MRSA:

- Seek early diagnosis and treatment if you suspect you may have MRSA due to puss filled, red, soar or irritated areas on your body and skin.
- Take the full prescription of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.
- Wash your hands often and clean surfaces with germ killing substances or wipes.
- Do not come into physical contact with someone you know has been diagnosed with MRSA.
- Keep soars and infected areas clean and covered.
- Stay informed and live healthy.

I

MRSA Prevention For Athletes - Is My Locker Room Properly Protected?

In this day and age of Super bugs, as a Coach, Manager or Athletic Trainer, you need to ask yourself, "Is my locker room properly protected from the MRSA bacterium"?

What is MRSA?

MRSA is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for infections in humans with many of the infections difficult to treat due to the bacterium's resistance to a large group of antibiotic called the beta-lactams, which include the penicillin and the cephalosporins. MRSA is often sub-categorized as community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) or health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). Recent Reports have noted the USA 300 and 400 strains of CA-MRSA have evolved to community-acquired levels that attack the healthiest of children and professional athletes making it very different than the traditional strain of MRSA that affects the immune-compromised. Given this, the importance of a disinfections program with proven efficacy against CA-MRSA 300 and 400 is paramount.

How is MRSA spread?

MRSA is predominately spread from person to person through direct skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces (e.g., towels, used bandages, weight-training equipment, playground equipment, synthetic-turf, etc.) that have been in contact with a person's infection. The bacterium is not carried through the air and does not live in soil. Given this, MRSA is spread more easily among athletes because they: 

Have repeated and frequent skin-to-skin contact. Acquire breaks in the skin such as cuts and abrasions that if left uncovered allow Staph and MRSA to enter and cause infection. Spend large amounts of time around items and surfaces that come into direct skin contact with the bacterium.
How do I protect my locker rooms against MRSA?

As the Coach, Manager and Athletic Trainer, you can be the primary line of defense against MRSA. If you are this person, ask yourself, am I doing everything possible to protect my Staff, Players and Opposing Players from a MRSA infection? To do so, a proper protocol for locker room cleanliness must be in place. Be sure to contact your local Health Officials, District Administrators, Organizations Attorneys, etc. for input to ensure the protocol you develop is proper, compliant with any adopted rules and/or procedures and meets any legal requirements within your subject jurisdiction. Here is a simple guideline for you to begin to develop your locker room protocols:

Require the persons responsible for cleaning the locker room are using the disinfectants which kill the 300 and 400 strain of MRSA (many products claim killing of MRSA, but have not passed testing to kill these strains) Provide, in writing the cleaning procedures to all locker room cleaning personnel. Require all towels in the locker room or used during athletic activities are single use, and not shared. Eliminate the use of bar soap and install anti-microbial liquid or foaming soap stations. Preclude the sharing of any personal items such as razors, towels, etc. Require athletic training equipment be wiped down after each use with proper disinfectants.  Carpet flooring is not recommended; if it is in use make sure it is disinfected regularly. Restrict the use of whirlpools to those players requiring them, and disinfect after each use. Encourage (or require) frequent hand washing with anti-microbial soaps. Provide any person with an open wound an individual bottle of anti-microbial soap for personal use. Develop a plan to educate players on proper hygiene. In conspicuous places, post the proper locker room protocols to be followed for all individuals (i.e. "Notice - You are hereby expected to do your part to keep the locker room clean by ...any person caught not following protocol will be punished accordingly") Encourage (or require) testing of any Staff person or player suspected of a case of MRSA. Encourage (or require) the proper use of gloves for Staff treating players with any health related issues. Is this a Guarantee?
In conclusion, no one can guarantee a case of MRSA will not occur, however taking proper preventative measures will greatly decrease the probability of an outbreak. When an outbreak occurs, many questions arise from Health Officials, Players, Parents, Staff, and School administrators, along with the traditional finger pointing.   This is especially true when opposing teams have visited your facility and are confronted with an outbreak.   If you have the proper protocols in place, including using the proper disinfectants you can be assured, to the best of your ability, all necessary precautions are being undertaken.

Will I Get Better If I Have MRSA or Staph?

The number one question I hear from people handling MRSA infections is will I get better if I have MRSA or Staph?. Having these types of infections can be very frightening. In 2005 alone, MRSA was responsible for over 94,000 life-threatening infections and close to 19,000 people died from it. You can get MRSA in a hospital (HA-MRSA) or even in your community (CA-MRSA) at your local store, gym or school.

To answer the question will I get better if I have MRSA or Staph depends on how well informed you are about ALL of your MRSA treatment options, not just antibiotics.

The End of the Antibiotic Era and New Resistance Studies

Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control is warning that this may be the "end of the antibiotic era"? It's becoming increasingly clear that alternate treatments need to be looked at to successfully manage these infections, as many antibiotics have either decreased or no effectiveness now.

New research is showing that MRSA and Staph can mutate into an "L-Form" which may be why they are so difficult to treat. Studies show that when Staph aureus (the bacteria responsible for MRSA) is subjected to certain types of antibiotics, it can mutate and go into hiding. After the antibiotic is removed, these mutated Staph can change back to their original form and create infection again. This new research may be the answer to why MRSA re-infection is so common and why it's so hard to treat using conventional methods like antibiotics.

Symptoms of MRSA Infections

Symptoms of MRSA infection include: skin infections like boils, abscesses or pimple-like clusters that are red, swollen and painful. They often are mistaken for spider bites. If these skin infections move internally, they can be very dangerous. Be sure to see a health care provider immediately if you think you may have MRSA.

New Long Term Solutions to MRSA and Staph Explained

All indicators are showing that the use of antibiotics, while they may be necessary and life saving, are not a long term solution. New approaches need to be used that are effective against MRSA, including the new "L-Form" mutation. The best way to treat MRSA for long-term success is to address the ROOT CAUSE of your infection. The majority of people get MRSA because their immune system has been weakened or neglected.

Do not give up on stopping your MRSA. There are many effective and well known ways to boost your immune system and there are many other non-antibiotic treatment options like certain medicinal honeys, essential oils, herbs and foods available to you. So the answer to will I get better if I have MRSA or Staph is YES - if you use ALL of your treatment options and boost your immune system strength.

Michelle Moore is a Pharmaceutical Microbiologist and total health advocate. She has been in the pharmaceutical and natural health fields for over 15 years and has helped thousands of people regain their health naturally. Learn how you can stop the cycle and eradicate your MRSA or Staph Infection by visiting MRSA and Staph Infection Treatment Resources or www.Staph-Infection-Resources.com

Community Aquired MRSA

CA-MRSA (for community-acquired, or community-associated Staphylococcus aureus) ha been on the rise for years in many communities and is now cause for much concern. The thing is, mrsa is somewhat expected from anyone admitted to a hospital or wvwn works in one. Estimates today in the U.S. is that 10% of all mrsa infection are community acquired. This causes nasty skin and soft tissue infections in persons that are otherwise healthy and were not recently hospitalized or have been through some sort of invasive surgery One out of every five cases is due to hospitalization. CA-MRSA has been displaying rapid growth in specific populations, including prisoners, athletes, children, homosexuals, military recruits, Pacific Islanders, Alaskan Natives and Native Americans.

Treating MRSA.

Treatment of CA-MRSA skin infections is not the easiest thing to do. Skin ointments containing antibiotics, such as mupirocin or fusidic acid, can be used, but watch out. Mrsa has shown great resilience in its adaptation and resistance to these antibiotics. Beta-lactam antibiotics (i.e., methicillin and oxacillin), commonly used for staph aureus infections (such as furuncles, abscesses, and cellulitis), are a waste of time. The strange thing is that hospital MRSA, has built up a resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics, (including macrolides, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines and lincosamides), CA-MRSA on the other hand, is still treatable by a few antibiotic classes outside of the beta-lactam group (e.g., clindamycin).

Prevention.

Inspection spreads through close, skin-to-skin contact (such as that found in contact sports), through contact with open skin wounds (cuts, abrasions) and through contact with contaminated items or surfaces. ( staph can survive for for over 24 hours). Here's the worst part, the organisms regular enter healthy, intact skin. Congested living conditions and poor hygienic practices are the main factors that contribute greatly to the spread of this organism. At this time the only available way of preventing this infection is by doing the following:

Diligent hygiene practices that includes regular hand washing

Careful wound maintenance, and proper disposal of possibly contaminated bandages

Limit the use of razors, brushes etc to yourself. Public exercise equipment should be wiped down before and after use

Do not wait t0 get MRSA and have to do it the expensive way. Prevent it naturally.

Are Antibiotic-Resistant MRSA Bacteria, Silent Terror Bombs?

When we hear terms like "100,000 wounded, 20,000 dead, and explosions which render bodies helpless," automatically we think of terror bombs. According to U.S health reports, the newly aggressive staph infection---methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA (for short) ---- undermines the body's defenses first and then causes germ-fighting cells to explode. With such alarming statistics, why is no-one telling us the origin of this bacterium, where it originated, how infectious it is, and/or if the bacteria is laboratory-designed? To make bad matters worse, health practitioners are trying to imply that there are two strains, even though the evidence is clouded. From their reports, supposedly there is a milder version that floats around hospitals and health-care facilities only, and a (check this out) more deadly version that lurks around larger communities.

I am not trying to trivialize a serious matter. When you break down the findings, except for location of discovery, what differences do the two supposedly different strains manifest? The first reports pointed to cases in health care facilities, where MRSA attacked people with reduced immune systems; however many recent cases involve an aggressive strain, community-associated MRSA, or CA-MRSA. That type supposedly causes severe infections and even death in otherwise healthy people outside of health care settings.

A team of U.S. and German researchers, led by Michael Otto of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, published some findings in Sunday Nov 4th 's online edition of the Journal Nature Medicine. According to their report, the new CA-MRSA strain secretes a compound (called peptides) formed by amino acids, which causes immune cells (neutrophils) to burst---eliminating a main defense against infection---according to researchers. Although only 14-percent of serious MRSA infections are the community-associated kind, in recent months, they have created news headlines with an avalanche of reports in schools, including the death of a 17-year-old Virginia high school student.

ARE THERE REALLY TWO TYPES?

Both hospital-associated and community-associated MRSA contain genes for the peptides, but their production is much higher in the CA-MRSA, the researchers said. The compounds first cause inflammation, drawing the immune cells to the site of the infection and then destroying those cells. As I examine all reports, we are told that one well-behaved type, which is allegedly confined to and transferable in controlled health facilities, can be eliminated, reduced, managed, and or minimized by washing hands, wearing disposable gloves and by observing basic hygiene precautions.

LETHAL HANDSHAKES, SNEEZES AND KISSES OF DEATH:

What about the wider and wilder community where the more reckless version lurks? How many people wash their hands regularly? What guarantees do we have that food carriers will not break the chain of command? According to Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, NIAID director in their published report, all those relevant data are not yet available. Here is his quote "Understanding what makes the infections caused by these new strains so severe, and developing new drugs to treat them are urgent public health priorities." In other words, we do not know yet if this new bacteria, which has killed approximately 20,000 people so far, can be spread by sneezing or kissing. More alarming is the fact that health-care practitioners are issuing memos to the effect that the milder type can even propagate within their hallowed walls.

THE BIGGER PROBLEM:

If experts are telling us how easy it is to spread in a controlled health-care facility, then what will happen if this bacterium is released intentionally in a controlled space like an airline or a crowded train? Now is the time for us to ask those types of questions and to demand answers. Since playgrounds are so vulnerable, how much more would public transportation become? At this point, please understand that I am not in the business of creating unnecessary panic: all I am asking for is that other writers begin to seek out responsible people for proper analyses.

BLOOD TESTS BEFORE BOARDING FLIGHTS?

It is not inconceivable that in the near future, before we board airplanes we will be asked to submit to a blood test. Why not? If we keep festering antagonism between people from nations who are not afraid of death, it stands to reason that devious minds will be on the hunt for new and undetectable WMD's.

Since reading that report I have searched far and wide for as much information as possible. It helps that 10 family members work in the medical field. I checked local and regional Departments of Health. Most are posting general advisories to their personnel, informing them that Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is an antibiotic-resistant (check this) hospital-acquired infection that seems to be prevalent in, but not limited to, hospitalized patients. That is supposedly the milder of the two.

SYMPTOMS:

MRSA carriers can be asymptomatic. The symptoms for MRSA depend on the areas of the body where infections occur. Areas that manifest symptoms will show tenderness, swelling, and red to brown discoluoration at infected areas. Especially prone are eyes, burn spots, surgical wounds, exposed skin, and mouths-related sores. Since patients can be infected through improperly sterilized catheters and through contaminated blood, health care workers are asked to increase screening techniques and to pay particular attention to the known symptoms.

CURTAIL TRANSMISSION THROUGH PREVENTION!

If the patient is known to have an MRSA infection, the health-care worker should wear disposable gloves. Patients must also wash their hands to avoid spreading the bacteria to others. In some cases it can be undetected for long periods of time both before and after treatment. Other times, the source of infection will be reddened, swollen, and quite tender. Health-care workers are asked to sterilize their hands regularly, to wear gowns and to change disposable gloves often, especially when coming in contact with infected patients. Naturally, upon discovery of the symptoms health-care personnel should begin treatment immediately. However, the undetected type in the wider community called CA-MRSA, is considered not only more deadly than AIDS, but also it is so much easier to transmit. We cannot rest comfortably, knowing that a simple thing like a handshake can transmit the bacterium.

* LABORATORY ANALYSIS MANDATORY:

MRSA infections can be diagnosed when a doctor obtains a sample or specimen from the site of infection and submits it to a laboratory. The laboratory places the specimen on a special "culture" plate containing nutrients, incubates the plate in a warmer and then identifies the bacteria. The final step is for the laboratory to conduct tests using various antibiotics to determine if the bacteria are resistant (able to withstand or tolerate) or sensitive (susceptible to killing) to select antibiotics.

NEWER ANTIBIOTIC:

Although MRSA cannot be effectively treated with antibiotics such as methicillin, nafcillin, cephalosporin or penicillin, one strain can be treated with vancomycin. However, a few strains of Staphylococcus aureus have become resistant to vancomycin. The vancomycin-resistant strains may be more difficult to detect and treat. Newer antibiotics are being developed to address this problem.

WHAT LEGAL HURDLES THIS NEW ENEMY POSES?

MRSA claims are difficult to legislate for many reasons. Even if it turns out to be a silent bomb, almost all insurance companies waive claims in acts of war. Making successful claims for health-care-associated infections (HAIs) are not easy. However, a few claims have been successfully legislated. If the NHS had to begin paying out compensation claims to all health care patients who actually contracted MRSA, medical insurance would be prohibitive. Here are some difficulties that claimants can expect to encounter, to date.

Proving the source of contact would be problematic, mainly because this bacterium can hitch rides on dirty hands. The recent severe strains are now called community MSRA because they have been discovered in various outdoor communities as well: locker rooms, door knobs, playgrounds etc. In such types of litigations, the burden of proof lies on the litigant to prove that the health-care facility was negligent. On the other hand, the health-care facility just needs to prove it exercised "due care" or "due diligence." Since the health-care facility is the one making the diagnosis, how many facilities would actually say that you collected the infection in their house as opposed to coming in with the infection---unless there was an epidemic?

To reduce risks, European healthcare providers have standardized procedures for screening, handling---in short, for minimizing risks. I am sure that as I am writing this, lawyers and insurance companies are busy on both sides of the Atlantic, functioning in a manner similar to that of computer antivirus companies. The frightening aspect of all this is that big companies only get jolted into action when large sums are awarded for negligence. Is that why we are hearing no alarms from public transportation companies?

DISCLAIMER:

This article is not designed to cause panic, but to broaden concern. It is better to live of the side of preventative caution-if we care enough, than to be victims of a possible pandemic.

Basil C. Hill is a radio host, V.P of United Nations of the Americas--Antigua Chapter, and author of "The Golden Fleece Found by Basil Hill --

http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Fleece-Found-Basil-Hill/dp/1412043190

Suggested readings on MRSA: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mrsa/DS00735

Why Most MRSA Treatment Approaches Eventually Fail

New MRSA Treatment Approach Provides Missing Link to Ending Recurring MRSA Infections

I thought it could never happen to me. After all, I was a Microbiologist and studied bacteria like Staph aureus everyday. I knew what made bacteria grow and what antibiotics stopped them. Despite all my education and experience researching bacteria, I was shocked in 1997 when I started to struggle with recurring infections.

I dutifully followed my doctor's advice and tried all kinds of antibiotics, none of which stopped my recurring infections. I was aghast that the standard treatment methods that I learned in school and put so much trust in simply weren't working for me. I was trapped in the cycle of infection, then antibiotics, then re-infection. I was frustrated and literally sick from all of the antibiotics side effects. I could barely keep anything in my stomach. And for the next few years my health, energy and quality of life kept deteriorating.

Weeding Out Fact from Fiction
At the low point, I finally realized that antibiotics weren't going to help me. And, if I wanted to stop my infection for good, I was going to have to find a solution on my own. Being a research scientist, I immediately began searching for a solution. I spent months looking online, talking to my colleagues, scouring medical journals, learning from natural and integrative health doctors and testing natural health programs to find out what would work to stop my infections. What I found was a lot of confusing, contradictory and bogus information along with bits and pieces of helpful knowledge. Fortunately, my background in Microbiology, science and research helped me weed out fact from fiction, and helped me scrutinize and accurately interpret all the data.

What I learned is not taught by most medical doctors, but it has stopped my recurring infection cycle. And, it makes perfect scientific sense. The truth is, simply addressing your infection, no matter what MRSA treatment method you use, will not stop the recurring infection cycle. This revelation has changed my life and thousands of others forever. And, I've now been infection free without using antibiotics for over 7 years.

The Simple Truth: Why MRSA Treatment Programs Fail
No matter what MRSA treatment approach you use or how effective your MRSA treatment may be, stopping your current infection has little bearing on stopping recurring infections. This is true for both antibiotic treatments as well as home remedies available online. Stopping your current infection and stopping the cycle are two very different things. By only focusing on treating your current MRSA infection, you set yourself up for future failure in ways that are not commonly known.

Surprisingly, I found that many common MRSA treatment approaches actually promote recurring infections. It's no wonder that ending recurring infections is the biggest problem people have with Staph and MRSA infections.

Here are the three steps I discovered to stop recurring infections for good:

1) Step 1 - Eliminate Your Current Infection

I'm a firm proponent of only using antibiotics if absolutely necessary. Most people are unaware of the very potent, natural medicinal products available that have effectively handled MRSA and Staph infections for many years. However, it takes a lot of knowledge and research to find out what those truly are and to avoid products that don't work.

It is also important to be aware that there are different needs for different types of MRSA infections. Additionally, two people with the same infection may require two different MRSA treatment approaches to stop their infection most effectively.

Virtually all mainstream and home remedy MRSA treatment programs only address eliminating your current infection without regard to the following two steps. This is why such treatments fail at stopping recurring MRSA infections. While Step 1 is certainly critical, it must be complemented with Step 2 and 3 for long-term success.

2) Step 2 - Heal Damage from Bacteria and Antibiotics

If you've ever used antibiotics, or are currently using them, you may have already realized that antibiotics wreak havoc on your digestive system and your immune system. The bacteria responsible for Staph and MRSA also damage your body in both seen and unseen ways.

Most people are surprised to find out that up to 80% of a healthy immune system is about having the right types of gut bacteria. These friendly bacteria fend off infection, support vitamin and nutrient absorption and even help defend your skin against attack. Infection and antibiotics can severely damage this critical life supporting system. Unless you rebuild the damage done from antibiotics, your body will be vulnerable to future MRSA attacks.

Another important part of any successful MRSA treatment is to repair the damage done to your body by invasive bacteria. This damage includes long-lasting and embarrassing scars, bacterial toxins in your lymph and other tissues and stealth L-form bacteria which can contribute to re-infection.

3) Step 3 - Address the Root Cause of Re-infections

Step 3 is usually forgotten by mainstream medicine and home remedy approaches, yet I've found it to be mandatory from both personal experience and from my research on what's helped other MRSA survivors. Most people's immune systems are not functioning optimally, and having a depressed immune system leaves the door wide open for recurring infections and chronic illnesses. Yet most people sabotage their own immune system and don't even realize it.

Antibiotics are certainly one cause of depressed immunity, but they aren't the only cause. Nutrition, diet, pH, stress and many other factors have major implications on how well your immune system functions. As an example, one medical journal study shows that drinking two colas impairs your immune system by 92% for 5 hours! This is certainly not what you need if you're battling MRSA or Staph.