Share
Related Topics
Tagged As
Superbug might sound like the name of a horror novel in which a deadly disease threatens all humanity. While this may seem far-fetched, it's not far off from the scenario author Maryn McKenna describes in Superbug:The Fatal Menace of MRSA.
We do not strictly control Google ad content. If you believe any Google ad is inappropriate, please email us directly here.
Most people have heard of MRSA (short for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), a drug-resistant form of staph. In the past, staph wasn't much of an issue. It was simply a bacteria that could be squelched with a dose of antibiotics. However, staph has now developed resistance to several antibiotics and continues to become stronger. MRSA has now developed resistance to several antibiotics and continues to become stronger.
According to the US CDC: "Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin."
McKenna details MRSA's history and that of patients it has infected, including real-life experiences and even medical details; yet the book is oddly compelling.
One MRSA patient, 13-year-old Tony Love, contracted a MRSA infection in September of 2007 when his elbow was cut from colliding with a friend during a volleyball game; it almost killed him. Septic shock, a deep leg-bone infection, and numerous huge pockets of pus that had to be surgically removed, were all part of Tony's MRSA experience, including six months in the hospital; three of which were spent in ICU.
The scariest fact? We likely created the MRSA problem through practices that foster antibiotic resistance and disease transmission. These include overzealous and improper use of antibiotics in - and antibacterials on - humans and farm animals, and lack of simple hand washing. Thus "society" has both spawned and helped MRSA spread into environments beyond hospitals such as schools, prisons, and daycares.
Superbug:The Fatal Menace of MRSA effectively alerts readers to MRSA's impact and to the underlying issues that promote its growth. It's a fascinating true-life story and gripping treatise about the larger factors fueling the MRSA problem - and those who have been devastated by it. If knowledge is power, then this book is a powerful tool for action.
For more information, see the book listing of Superbug: The Fatal Menace of MRSA.
HHI Error Correction Policy
HHI is committed to accuracy of content and correcting information that is incomplete or inaccurate. With our broad scope of coverage of healthful indoor environments, and desire to rapidly publish info to benefit the community, mistakes are inevitable. HHI has established an error correction policy to welcome corrections or enhancements to our information. Please help us improve the quality of our content by contacting allen@healthyhouseinstitute.com with corrections or suggestions for improvement. Each contact will receive a respectful reply.
The Healthy House Institute (HHI), a for-profit educational LLC, provides the information on HealthyHouseInstitute.com as a free service to the public. The intent is to disseminate accurate, verified and science-based information on creating healthy home environments.
While an effort is made to ensure the quality of the content and credibility of sources listed on this site, HHI provides no warranty - expressed or implied - and assumes no legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product or process disclosed on or in conjunction with the site. The views and opinions of the authors or originators expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of HHI: its principals, executives, Board members, advisors or affiliates.
(Note: The views expressed in this blog post are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent those of The Healthy House Institute, LLC.)
