MRSA and overuse of antibiotics

Posted on April 28, 2008 by malawiclinics

What is MRSA?

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Straphylococus aureus but is shorthand for any strain of this common bacteria that is resistant to one or more conventional antibiotics. MRSA is not completely resistant to antibiotics but patients may require a much higher dose over a much longer period, or the use of an alternative antibiotic to which the bug has less resistance.

What are the symptoms?

MRSA infections can cause a broad range of symptoms depending on the part of the body that is infected. These may include surgical wounds, burns, catheter sites, eye, skin and blood. Infection often results in redness, swelling and tenderness at the site of infection. Sometimes, people may carry MRSA without having any symptoms.

What is the link with hospitals and clinics?

The reason that hospitals and clinics seem to be hotbeds for resistant MRSA is because so many different strains are being thrown together with so many doses of antibiotics, vastly accelerating this natural selection process.

Prevention

Rigorous cleaning with warm water and detergent between patients is the most effective means of removing spores from the contaminated environment and the hands of staff, say experts. One of the main reasons that bacteria evolce into “superbugs” is the overuse of antibiotics, both in human and veterinary medicine. Until recently, patients visiting their doctor in Scotland with a viral infection might demand, and be given, an antibiotic prescription - despite the fact that antibiotics have no effect on this and may even strengthen the communities of bacteria in their bodies. Doctors have now been told to cut antibiotic prescribing.

Learning from Africa

Does the Malawian reliance on nursing staff for the treatment of most patients and the emphasis at clinics on professional hierachy and traditional nursing ‘matrons’ to manage wards offer lessons in the importance of hygiene and attention to detail for Scotland? Will the reality of a shortfall in the ready availability antibiotics and other medicines in Malawi lessen the effects of so-called superbugs? Share your thoughts on the blog.