Over the past month, many schools have scrubbed their hallways, gyms and locker rooms, and alerted parents to the threat of a new germ. Bacteria called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the frightening bug. Penicillin and related drugs cannot kill it, so there is some cause for worry. At least three kids got a serious version of the infection and died.
MRSA is not a new infection. Since the 1960s, hospitals have been battling the bug among their patients. What is upsetting now is that cases seem to be coming from outside hospitals.
Most cases of MRSA are mild, appearing as red bumps on the skin. Antibiotics that are not in the penicillin family usually take care of such minor infections. The rarer, more serious MRSA infections enter the bloodstream and can damage tissues.
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report estimating that in 2005, there were 32 MRSA cases per 100,000 people in the U.S. About 14% of the cases were people who had not reported being in a hospital. MRSA cases were not reported and counted before now. Says Monina Klevens of the CDC: "It will be a baseline against which we can compare future numbers."
Experts blame the appearance of "superbugs" in part on treating so many infections with powerful antibiotics. The bugs battle back and become resistant to the drugs.
There are ways to keep the bugs at bay. Schools and health clubs should be kept clean. Adults and kids should stay alert to news of outbreaks. And everyone should take care to keep hands washed and cuts covered with bandages. Bacteria can't thrive where they aren't welcome.