Planet Earth > Flora and Fauna
The "superbug"
NightmarePatrol:
The CDC is calling for an all out war on the new bacteria that has evidently hit the shores of the US. Any of the medical folks here know anything about this? The CDC has been known to over hype things on occasion, but they are usually pretty good about tagging threats.
lifefeedsonlife:
I find it interesting that the environment that has nurtured us for these millenia now suddenly seems a bit hostile towards our species. (Anthropomorphizing a bit.) Now - why do you suppose that is?
Amidala:
I think this is the key sentence in the entire article:
With 1.3 billion people, India is an overpopulated nation that overuses antibiotics and has widespread diarrheal disease. Many of its citizens are without clean water.
Having clean water is something we EXPECT but in much of the world it is a luxury. The more a bacteria (or virus for that matter) replicates, the greater the chance of a mutation. So, with chronic intestinal disease in people, there are many more (millions) of chances for the bacteria to replicate. Hence the new gene. Bacteria and virus' are opportunistic, but not anthropomorphic. I would say, Yeah, the hate us, if the mutation had arisen in Europe or the US but it didn't. ;D
Later in the article, it talks about the three in the US who survived. Could be that general good health (good nutrition, fitness, etc) contributes to recovery, something also lacking in the third world.
Yet another reason to get a flu shot!! Stay healthy this flu season!!
CindyLouWho:
You got it Ami.
I haven't heard anything of this and I am in close contact with MMC staff.....there is no special testing going on for this. Seems they are testing a lot of people for MRSA though. Which half of us carry in our nasal passages btw so don't get too excited if you are told you have it and live with a healthcare person or have frequented a healthcare facility over a period of time. I think the new germophobes who carry the gel in their pocket and are afraid to touch door handles have made things worse. It's going to get to a point where no one has a normal, strong immune system! A natural defense is the best defense and routine handwashing (e.g. after using the bathroom and before eating) is enough - really- for most everyone.
I agree Ami....eat good, get some regular exercise and get plenty of rest. Seems to be what we have been told for years as the basics of good health. It still holds true for the most part.
Amidala:
THere was an article yesterday about a survey done in washrooms in a stadium and something like 70% of the washroom visitors didn't wash their hands before depart the washroom. Ewww....... (the percentage was crazy high, but ok, I'm not 100% sure it was 70%. Even 10% is Ewwwww imho. Remember the Seinfeld episode when Poppy didn't wash his hands in his restaurant???)
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