'Superbug' Germ Kills 3 in Chicago

[GreenPartyVoter]

Three Chicago-area children have died of a toxic shock syndrome-like illness caused by a superbug they caught in the community and not in the hospital, where the germ is usually found.


The cases show that this already worrisome staph germ has become even more dangerous by acquiring the ability to cause this shock-like condition.

"There's a new kid on the block," said Dr. John Bartlett of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, referring to the added strength of the superbug known as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

"The fact that there are three community-acquired staph aureus cases is really scary," continued Bartlett, an infectious disease specialist.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050921/ap_on_he_me/superbugs

------------------------------------------------------
URGENT yet easy! Hold the government accountable for Katrina's aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4736062

Save the gulf, then save the nation! http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[phantom power]

1. like avian flu isn't enough.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. It seems very rare overall, but I do have concerns about superbugs

due to overuse of antibiotics and such.

How can some people can deny evolution when we see microbes mutate like this, I will never know.

------------------------------------------------------
URGENT yet easy! Hold the government accountable for Katrina's aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4736062

Save the gulf, then save the nation! http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[xchrom]

2. and i'm getting on a plane next tues.

oy.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. To the windy city?

------------------------------------------------------
URGENT yet easy! Hold the government accountable for Katrina's aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4736062

Save the gulf, then save the nation! http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[Mikimouse]

3. Hmmmmm...Captain Tripps anyone?....n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. I almost picked that up to reread it today, but talked myself out of it

------------------------------------------------------
URGENT yet easy! Hold the government accountable for Katrina's aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4736062

Save the gulf, then save the nation! http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[Mikimouse]

8. Sounds familiar...I did the same thing about a week ago...

Just couldn't bring myself to re-read it right now.

[AlienGirl]

7. MRSA. I've got it.

There is an epidemic of community-acquired MRSA among otherwise healthy people in the Seattle area.

I am on my second bout with it; after you get infected with it, it's virtually impossible to get rid of--showering with antiseptic and putting antibiotic ointment up your nose seems to help, but the doctor said that just reduces colonization, doesn't completely eliminate it. So from now on, every minor wound, bite, scratch, or razor nick I get has the potential of turning into a big, nasty, necrotized abcess.

Tucker

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. Oh man. I am very sorry. Do you find yourself worrying about

getting those little cuts, or do you just go on about life as before? :hug:

------------------------------------------------------
URGENT yet easy! Hold the government accountable for Katrina's aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4736062

Save the gulf, then save the nation! http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[AlienGirl]

10. I'm not worrying about it

So far it's just painful skin infections, nothing systemic. I've already survived cancer and done the whole confronting-mortality thing.

I do, however, limit my contact with immune-compromised friends. There are people I'd like to see, but don't dare go visit because I don't want to colonize them. :-(

Tucker

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. Oh, I hadn't even thought about how it would affect friendships. :^(

[AlienGirl]

12. Earlier this year, I held off on visiting a friend in the hospital

I was afraid to expose him after a major surgery, so I kept saying I'd visit him as soon as the infection was gone or he was okayed to go home...he died before I got to visit.

Tucker

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. *hugs* You just never know how to call those things. My mother

left my great aunt after a surgery telling her she'd come back soon, but Nene died. Mom never really forgave herself for that. :( Of course, they are together again now so I am sure it's ok now.

------------------------------------------------------
URGENT yet easy! Hold the government accountable for Katrina's aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4736062

Save the gulf, then save the nation! http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[Just Me]

14. Oh, my dear.

:cry: So, sorry. But, you did what was best. :hug: