Deadly Staph

[shepherdsgrace]

I have been reading about the deadly drug resistent staph infections that are beginning to show up all around the nation. Here where I live in NC it is in the school systems. And I saw where it was posted in the prayer forum. I thought it might be helpful to discuss what we should do to protect ourselves and our children from such a deadly infection.

[nebula]

I posted this in another thread, but for those that don't read that part of the Board...

What people need to understand is that over-sanitizing is part of the problem.

Our skin has a normal flora of bacteria on it. When you have an open wound, yes, you need treat it, for the underlayers of our skin are sensitive to bacteria. But, if we kill all the flora off our skin, then it because a target for anything. The normal flora of bacteria helps to ward off undesirable bacteria by crowding it out.

This is why antibacterial soap is a bad idea.

The best prevention against harmful bacteria is to wash your hands regularly with non-antibacterial soap and cleaning wounds when they occur.

[shepherdsgrace]

Also it is being publisized that the handles on the grocery carts are laden with bacteria. So either have the sanitizing wipes as you go in or sanitize your hands when you come out as soon as you sit down in the car. I keep a small bottle of sanitizing liquid beside the driver's seat just for that. So although the antibacterial soap is not good for all time cleaning at home etc., there are proper places for its use and this is one. The doctors here are beginning to tell their patients to clean the hands after leaving any place where you push a cart or buggy.

[nebula]

I disagree.

There's bacteria on your table, on the door handles, on your coffee mug, on your coins, . . . . They're literally everywhere.

Again, it is over-sanitation that is the problem.

I mean, think of how many times you put bacterial-laden objects in your mouth as a kid and never got sick from it?

[shepherdsgrace]

I disagree.

There's bacteria on your table, on the door handles, on your coffee mug, on your coins, . . . . They're literally everywhere.

Again, it is over-sanitation that is the problem.

I mean, think of how many times you put bacterial-laden objects in your mouth as a kid and never got sick from it?

Well, Nebula. I know there are bacteria everywhere. But I have read the studies. And the handles on grocery carts showed billions more bacteria plus different strains than even the worst scene in a dirty bathroom. I certainly understand about the different bacteria and how you do not want to completely anihilate all. You want the good to live. But if you put your hands to your nose or mouth or ears after some situations you are in without washing you are giving your body a bunch to overcome. And people with weak immune systems need help.

I have watched students 13 and 14 years old lick their hands and wipe them on their desks. They do not wash their hands all day. A large percentage of youth today have terrible personal habits. And then there are those who are sick, coughing into their hands etc etc etc and they place those hands on handles in stores. Then people let their babies chew on them and then they take their hands and follow the others. Then they go home with those hands....oh gracious the scene takes on myriad of possibilites.

But I know from experience that this is a redundant conversation. There are different views involved. I just pray from the heart that these virulent strains do not get on hands that go unwashed and then are placed in the mouth etc until the proportions reach epidemic.

Also I would ask how many times children and babies and youth and adults Have put bacterial laden objects in their mouths and HAVE gotten sick?

[shepherdsgrace]

Thanks Shlomo. Indeed the overuse of antibiotics is high on the list for cause of these virulent strains. We all have a great deal to learn in order to protect our children. And really thankful for your information concerning the use of alcohol which is a main ingredient in the antibacterial wipes and gels which people are using to clean their hands when away from soap and water.

[irishcowboy]

Thanks Shlomo. Indeed the overuse of antibiotics is high on the list for cause of these virulent strains. We all have a great deal to learn in order to protect our children. And really thankful for your information concerning the use of alcohol which is a main ingredient in the antibacterial wipes and gels which people are using to clean their hands when away from soap and water.

the over use of many things is not good.....

antibiotics being over used is the number one cause of C-DIFF, which can be very dangerous, especially for the elderly and young and is very very contagious through body fluids, which would also include sneezing and caughing....

i feel the same about immunizations being over used..... can cause the body to shut down its own defenses, because we are not making it do its job, where it is not used it will disipated......

some places, it is needed that sanitation be done, if not required, then i feel we ought to let it go.....

for the last 13 years, i have not had any flu shots, and have not had the flu, nor any other cold that would take me out of commisison for even a day..... being around others that have been sick (after taking meds to keep from getting sick)..... being around some of the nastiest environments and not getting a thing... (other then a mild case of food poisoning from long johns....)

mike

[GloryToGod!]

There are staph infections in one of our local high schools. (I live in Michigan) Different areas of the school are being sanitized tonight. And oddly enough I went to see my family doctor today (I''ve been ill for 4 weeks ) and I have a bacterial infection. I have no idea how I got it but it sure does make one sick.

Kathy

[Iryssa]

I disagree.

There's bacteria on your table, on the door handles, on your coffee mug, on your coins, . . . . They're literally everywhere.

Again, it is over-sanitation that is the problem.

To clear up any misunderstanding, Nebula is trying to state that the causative practice for all antibiotic resistant bacterial strains is improper use (generally means over use) of antibiotics. That is, all antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria have been selectively bred by the misuse of antibiotics.

Not really over-santitation, but over use of antibiotics.

Several sanitizing agents will never create resistant variations. Alcohol for instance is a very effective sanitizing agent, even against MRSA (the strongest of the antibiotic resistant staphs, estimated to be responsible for more US deaths in 2005 and 2006 than AIDS), yet will never "create" a resistant bacteria. Alcohols, peroxides, and quaternary ammonium compounds are all common and effective sanitizing agents that will not contribute to the development of resistant strains.

So keep using those sanitizing wipes and soaps, they do not contribute to bacterial resistance!

These are actually two different--and both very real--problems. You're giving the reason for antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Nebula is trying to give reason why our bodies don't react as well as they should to bacteria in general.

[shepherdsgrace]

There are staph infections in one of our local high schools. (I live in Michigan) Different areas of the school are being sanitized tonight. And oddly enough I went to see my family doctor today (I''ve been ill for 4 weeks ) and I have a bacterial infection. I have no idea how I got it but it sure does make one sick.

Kathy

Praying for you now! May you heal quickly and stay healthy this winter.