Researchers Making Progress Against MRSA Infections

01/05/2010

In recent years, healthcare professionals have become increasingly concerned about the spread of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureaus (MRSA) bacteria in hospitals and other public places, such as nursing homes.

The so-called "superbugs" are resistant to many current antibiotics and have been blamed for a growing number of deaths and illnesses, especially among those recovering from operations and other healthcare procedures.

Now, a recent Associated Press report notes that researchers in Norway have found a basic way to fight the problem - by simply not using as many antibiotic products, thereby giving people more of a chance to develop stronger natural defenses and immunity systems.

The report notes that about 19,000 people die from MRSA infections in the U.S. alone in any given year. The AP adds that along with prescribing fewer antibiotics than any other country, Norwegian healthcare professionals also track each MRSA infection by its individual strain, isolate those who are infected, and test people who may have been exposed to infected patients.

Given the widespread popularity and availability of anti-bacterial soaps and other products on the market, consumers may be surprised to learn that they could be avoiding future healthcare costs and improving their own health by giving their own natural defense systems more of a chance to develop.

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