According to the news, the number of victims from this new strain of super bug may rival the number afflicted with the AIDS virus. This CNN.com article explains the threat in more detail. The numbers mean that it is possible that you, or someone you know, will get the infection.
I've already personally known people affected by this new antibiotic resistant staph strain, MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
The first time I ever heard of it was four years ago when my elderly mother contracted it after a lengthy hospital stay. While MRSA didn't kill my mother, it did remain a drain on her energy and health for the remainder of her life. At that time it was explained to me that MRSA is often contracted during a lengthy hospital stay.
A few months ago, I was shocked to hear that the husband of a dear friend (in the prime of his life) had contracted the same super bug BEFORE a stay in the hospital. Having the infection did, however, put him in the hospital for several weeks. He is still on antibiotics and very weak.
Now Staph infections are even on the news and the latest victims are school students. My daughter heard the news report and asked me if MRSA is something that she should worry about. I felt helpless answering her, since the only advice that I could think of was: be sure that you wash your hands a lot.
(Actually, I have since learned that there are some steps that you can take to avoid a staph infection. This post at the Weary Parent blog has some hygiene tips that you should make your family aware of.)
What precautions should you take in your home business? Here are a few ideas that every home business owner should consider implementing:
- Make sure that all employees and their families are covered by health insurance. Now, more than ever, health insurance is crucial to getting early and proper treatment.
- Caution your family and employees to take appropriate sanitary measures to prevent infections.
- Make provisions for temporary or contract workers to fill in on crucial projects during extended sick leaves.
- MRSA Superbug - Who should be scared? What to do?
- Everyone is Talking about it but What is Staph Infection Superbug
What about you? Are you worried that the Staph super bug will affect your family or business?
Leave a comment and let us know.
I worry most about sending my daughter to school. She starts in January (when she turns 3)and I'm concerned that she is going to get sick.
This is a really big concern with people who work with children who have difficulties with communication. Some little ones are unable to say "My throat/tummy/head hurts." They often exhibit negative behavior instead. By the time we figure out that the child is ill, it's too late.
Posted by: Tammi | October 18, 2007 6:26 AM | Permalink to Comment