US deaths from Staph Infections surpass AIDS

Scary news.

Here is another reason why we strive to have healthy immune systems, and overall good health for prevention of illness and disease. Infectious disease can be passed to a healthy person, but he or she will have what is needed to help fight it off better.

There was a federal study released on Tuesday that reported approximately 18,700 people die in this country each year from drug-resistant staph infections, which is more deaths than the United States sees from AIDS annually.

My daughter is a college athlete and a few weeks ago three members of her team developed staph infections. It is a frightening occurrence especially when surrounding teammates and college students have seen reports of serious illness and death that can result.

There have been other colleges reporting the same recently. Athletes are part of a target group who tend to develop staph. There are many students who use the recreational facilities where infected persons may leave the germs so there is a good chance of it spreading. The best defense is hygiene and refraining from sharing items such as towels.

Staph is short for Staphylococcus which is a bacteria. It is commonly found in hospitals but is now moving into schools. Staph lives on skin near openings such as the nose and mouth. When the skin is broken for any reason, the bacteria may enter through the wound and cause an infection.

Across the country, college dorm rooms are also breeding grounds for staph due to living in close quarters and sharing personal items. Dorm room visitors who are infected sitting on an unmade bed can unknowingly spreads the infection to the sheets. The student living in the room may scratch a scab while sleeping, and staph infection has spread.

While it is true that most staph infections are not dangerous and are easily stopped, there is a new strain that is highly resistant to antibiotics that are commonly used to stop the bacteria from growing.

Prevention is important and smart to practice all of the time, not only when you hear of a staph infection outbreak close to you. Wash hands often. Wash clothes after every use, and change right away after leaving the gymnasium. Don’t share personal items with others. Shower after every sporting event and practice. Keep open sores covered. Keep fingernails clean and short. Clean and disinfect sports equipment before each use and don’t share equipment with others. Avoid contact with any wounds.