Public Awareness

A medical thriller “Outbreak” written by Dr. Robin Cook was and still is popular among Korean general public. With the influence of such books and movies, people have misunderstanding on characteristics of virus and bacteria and are often confused bacteria with virus. Very few laymen understand MRSA but most have heard of super bacteria but when they hear super bacteria, Ebola virus and dreadful thing comes to their minds. We captured the misunderstanding and lack of information on the bacteria especially MRSA related bacteria and decided to launch a public awareness campaign focusing on enlightening people by giving easy and crucial information on bacteria and by giving advice how to keep themselves healthy.

Ye Eun Lee, Ji Yong Hong and Young Chan Kim have been assigned in the task of public awareness campaign. We have developed short summary about MRSA, Superbug and simple tips of prevention measures. We have visited places where many people gather such as bus terminals and baseball park and schools. Also, we have visited long term care center for the seniors who are susceptible to get infected. We have given information on MRSA and must-be-taken actions to prevent infection. We emphasize actions such as regular hand washing can reduce risk of community-associated MRSA outside of hospitals. Specifically, we make public the following actions and ask them to check on a daily routine.

Regular hand-washing.

Fingernails cut short.

Do not share products such as soaps, lotions, creams and cosmetics with others.

Avoid sharing unwashed towels.

Avoid sharing personal items such as razors, nail files, toothbrushes, combs or hairbrushes.

Before we started, we have fully understood the following facts regarding MRSA.

MRSA, full name methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, is a form of bacterial infection that is resistant to numerous antibiotics including methicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin and oxacillin, thus causing difficulty in treatment of the infection. Often referred to as a superbug, MRSA infection may commence as a minor skin sore, pimple or boil, become serious, potentially dangerous and sometimes fatal.

S. aureus cause skin infections such as boils, pimples, impetigo, abscesses, wound infections. Also, Staph bacteria can cause conditions when entered body including septicemia (blood poisoning), pneumonia(lung infection), osteomyelitis(bone infection) Urinary tract infection(e.g. bladder infection), septic bursitis, etc.

What is the difference between virus and bacteria?

Bacteria are unicellular microorganisms and typically a few micrometers long and have many shapes. They are including in the group of living organisms that can survive independently from other plants and animals. However, a virus is a sub-microscopic particle that can infect the cells of a biological organism and it cannot survive independently, though it has characteristics of life such as having genes, evolving by natural selection and reproducing by creating multiple copies of them. Instead, viruses need a host cell to survive and reproduce.

Who is at risk?

People most at risk of developing health care-associated MRSA in the hospital include those that have weakened immune systems, open wounds, a catheter or intravenous drip inserted, burns or cuts to the skin surface, sever skin conditions and had surgery, frequent antibiotics as part of their treatment.

How do people get infected by MRSA?

The spread of MRSA relies on skin-to-skin contact with an individual who either has MRSA and/or colonized by the bacteria

MRSA bacteria have the aptitude to survive for extensive periods on surfaces and objects including door handles, floors, sinks, taps, cleaning equipment and fabric. It is very important to maintain thorough contact control and meticulous disinfection procedures to limit spread of bacteria.

Inappropriate use of antibiotics is thought to have initiated the development of resistance. Inappropriate use and prescribing includes:

Failing to complete a course of antibiotics as prescribed.

Doses of antibiotics being skipped.

Failure to take antibiotics at regular intervals.

Saving antibiotics for a later date.

Unnecessary prescription of antibiotics.

Improper use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Inappropriate selection and dose duration of antibiotics.

Signs and symptoms of MRSA.

MRSA signs and symptoms depend on what area of the body is infected. Although countless people carry MRSA bacteria in their mucosa (inside the nose), they may never display any symptoms whatsoever. Staph skin infections, including MRSA, appear as a bump or sore area of the skin that could be mistaken for an insect bite. The infected area might be red, inflamed, painful, hot to the touch, full of pus or other liquid and accompanied by a fever.

Symptoms that MRSA bacteria has caused a serious infection by penetrating the bloodstream or deep inside the body include fever 100.4 degrees F or above, chills, malaise, dizziness, confusion, aches and pains of the muscles, swelling and tenderness to the affected body part, chest pains, cough, breathlessness, headache, rash, wounds that do not heal.

How can people be safe from the infection?

Wash your hands: Careful hand-washing remains your best defense against germs. Scrub hands briskly for at least 15 seconds, then dry them with a disposable towel and use another towel to turn off the faucet. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer containing at least 62 percent alcohol for times when you don't have access to soap and water.

Keep wounds covered: Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal. The pus from infected sores may contain MRSA, and keeping wounds covered will help keep the bacteria from spreading.

Keep personal items personal: Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, razors, clothing and athletic equipment. MRSA spreads on contaminated objects as well as through direct contact.

Shower after athletic games or practices: Shower immediately after each game or practice. Use soap and water. Don't share towels.

Sanitize linens: If you have a cut or sore, wash towels and bed linens in a washing machine set to the hottest water setting (with added bleach, if possible) and dry them in a hot dryer. Wash gym and athletic clothes after each wearing.