The Super Bug – Has The Time Bomb Been Defused?
The Bad Bug is on the Run!
The Good News this week is the announcement of a breakthrough cure by Destiny Pharma, a pharmaceutical company with a product labeled XF-73.
The presence of all known existing antibiotic resistance mechanisms in the test bacteria was found not to have any effect on the antibacterial activity of XF-73. (source: Destinypharma)
Do we have these “Bad Bugs” on the run?
And what have we learned from the scare? Perhaps one lesson is that the infection rates and tracking of types of infections, by hospitals, matters. It a global health concern — and U.S. hospitals are not excluded from that concern.
When’s the last time, if ever, you’ve inquired about the hospital-acquired infection rates at your local hospital?
It might be an eye-opener for you to take a moment to look up your local hospital to see how well it performs three key factors that help prevent infections during surgery.
Armed with a little knowledge you are more prepared to have an intelligent conversation with a doctor, medical facilitator or hospital administrator in order to make sure you are stacking all the odds in your favor for the very best outcome.
It’s a smart consumer these days that understands YOU are your best medical patient advocate.
Symptoms of the Super Bug
Symptoms are hard to distinguish from flu-like symptoms; nausea, dizziness, fever, chills, pneumonia. Additional symptoms could include urinary tract infections and diarrhea with cramping.
How it Spreads
Currently the transmission of NDM-1 bacteria requires skin-on-skin contact. It is not air-borne and so far has been recorded through hand-to-hand contact in hospitals, but scientists say that could change.
In addition to other dire consequences of a hospital-acquired infection, consider the the time and expense alone of having to extend a stay, change your flights, etc.
So just plan to take steps to minimize any risks. Continuing reading on six tips to avoid risks of medical travel by Traveling4health.com author Shai Gold, CEO of International Triage.
Ilene has written 78 posts to this blog. Ilene Little, CEO of Traveling 4 Health & Retirement (THR), has written an excellent report on reasons Boomers are embracing medical tourism in this global health era. This Medical Tourism Report features live interviews of patients, doctors, facilitators, and caregivers. Also see Ilene's regular Medical Tourism Blog.
If you love this blog, please subscribe via RSS @ RSS or Email to receive latest news medical resources, livable communities and solutions for health and lifestyles.
’)
