(HealthyResearch.com) – Antibiotic-resistant superbugs aren’t new, but new strains should have our attention. As viruses and other pathogens mutate, they may give rise to illnesses that are hard to treat with current pharmaceutical options. These “superbugs” might take lives, and newer treatments will be required to reduce the risks they produce when someone contracts one of them.
1. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
Commonly known as MRSA, this superbug is a more difficult-to-treat strain of the more common staph infection. Typically, antibiotics work well on staph infections, and that’s especially true if the infections are caught in the early stages. With MRSA, even early detection doesn’t ensure a good outcome for the patient.
Fortunately, MRSA responds to a few very potent antibiotics, meaning fewer people are dying from it. The danger remains: It’s important to treat this superbug quickly to reduce the severity of the outcome and protect life.
2. Clostridium Difficile
This bacteria, commonly referred to as C. diff, is located in the intestines. Overgrowth can cause severe diarrhea. It is contagious. It can be passed from one person to another on clothing and in bathrooms. Antibiotics are required to fight it, but they don’t always work well. If it’s not treated, or if the chosen antibiotics don’t work, C. diff may be fatal.
3. Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae
This superbug, often called CRE, is found in the stomach. It includes a family of bacteria, most of which cause no problems. One strain of CRE sometimes gets into the blood, however, and when it does, it causes life-threatening infections throughout the bloodstream. Because it’s resistant to all known antibiotics, it may be fatal. In rare cases, combinations of two or more existing antibiotics have been used successfully to stop these infections.
4. Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter
This bacteria is found on the skin and also in soil and water. It’s most commonly seen in hospitals. Even though it’s not always a problem, it can develop a resistance to antibiotics more quickly than other types of bacteria. It’s this quick adaptation that makes this superbug a particular problem. Once it’s more resistant to treatment, that strain may spread throughout a hospital ward and reduce the chances of good outcomes for patients who may already be battling other health conditions.
Superbugs are rare, but they do infect tens of thousands every year and not all cases can be treated. Early diagnosis is key to obtaining prompt treatment and improving the chances for the best outcome. Consult your doctor immediately if you spike a sudden fever, experience unexplained fatigue, or show any other symptoms of infection. Your healthcare team is best qualified to evaluate, diagnose and treat any potential illnesses.
~Here’s to Your Health & Safety!
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