Applied Health Journal Topics of Health and Natural Healing

Issue 108 ISSN: 1525-6359

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Staph Infection Fatalities May Surpass Aids Deaths

Several concerns have been raised regarding drug-resistant staph infections and the necessary actions to prevent the spread of these “SuperBugs”. Staph infections are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States, which can lead to pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and surgical wound infections. Unlike common bacteria, staph infections are resistant to antibiotics. Typically, these germs are spread through hospitals or medical centers affecting those with weakened immune systems. However, a recent outbreak of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), a certain type of staph infection, has extended beyond medical facilities to healthy individuals in the community.

In 2005, The Journal of the American Medical Association estimated nearly 95,000 Americans were infected with MRSA, of which, 18,650 people died from the infection. Based on these figures, MRSA is more deadly than HIV/AIDS in the United States. Eighty-five percent of these cases occur in medical settings; yet, 14 % of these outbreaks are found in community environments among people with no recent medical contact.

These findings may seem alarming, but MRSA and other staph infections can be easily treated if caught early with the right precautions and natural treatments. MRSA is resistant to traditional Beta-lactam antibiotics including: methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin. Alternate antibiotics are often prescribed to treat the infection, but there are natural antibiotics that provide potent strength to ward off this infection.

MRSA SYMPTOMS:

• Symptoms of MRSA are typically seen as skin infections, such as pimples and boils that can be red, swollen, and painful. High fever can also be associated.
• More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections.
• MRSA skin infections can be spread by: close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, and poor hygiene.

PRECAUTIONS:

• Viruses and infections become resistant to antibiotics, due to overuse. To avoid overuse, always ask your physician if an antibiotic is necessary.
• Practice good hygiene:
  • Keep your hands clean - wash thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Keep cuts and scrapes clean.
  • Cover with a bandage until healed.
  • Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.
  • Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, hairbrushes.
  • Use towels between your skin and shared equipment at the gym.

NATURAL PREVENTION:

Annihilate infections before they start -Strengthen Your Immunity

Anything that can be done to boost your immune system will benefit you when you come in contact with this bacteria. Eating right, reducing stress, getting plenty of rest... the same things you heard from your mother and grandmother. 

In addition, make sure you are getting plenty of immune boosting vitamins. Vitamin C, B-complex, and such. You should also look at adding plenty of the "green" foods to your diet, if you haven't done so yet. Our Foundation Blue-Green Algae product is proven to support immune function.

Foundation helps strengthen the immune system and eliminate toxins. Regular use of Foundation offers powerful antioxidant protection against seasonal colds and flu. In addition, Foundation's anti-viral and anti-microbial properties provide extra protection against "SuperBugs". A strong immune system means less opportunity for bacteria and viruses to gain a "beachhead" in your body.

Vitamin C - a daily dose of vitamin C helps fight off infections. Ester-C and Alacer's Emergen-C are beneficial forms of vitamin C that are easiest to assimilate.

NATURAL TREATMENT:

Good riddance "SuperBug"! These nutrients contain anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties:

• Applied Health Solution's Foundation
• Oil of Oregano
• Grapefruit Seed Extract
• Goldenseal/Echinacea
• Aloe Vera Juice
• Garlic - capsules, liquid, or cloves
• Vitamin C - Ester C or Alacer's Emergen-C
• Essential Oils - aromatherapy, compress, in bathwater, or diffuser

TOPICAL TREATMENT:

Relieve the outbreak of skin infections

• Tea Tree Oil(Melaleuca alternifolia) - Cream, Nasal Spray, Body Wash
• Aloe Vera Plant Gel (heals skin conditions)
• Oil of Oregano (dilute with carrier oil)
• Garlic - garlic (allicin) liquids and creams
• Grapefruit Seed Extract and Geranium Oil (dilute with carrier oil)
• Tea Tree Oil and Geranium Oil (dilute with carrier oil)

One more reminder of one of the most powerful weapons known to man for preventing the spread of staph bacteria...
Wash your hands often.

It turns out, moms were right!

eferences:

Brewer, S. (2002, March 8). Some easy ways to slip off to sleep The GP who looks for alternatives. The Daily Telegraph, London (UK): 20

Edwards-Jones V, Buck R, Shawcross SG, Dawson MM, Dunn K. (2004, December). The effect of essential oils on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using a dressing model. Burns, 30(8): 772-777.

Habeeb, F., Shakir, E., Bradbury, F., Cameron, P., Taravati, M. R., Drummond, A. J., Gray, A. I., Ferro, V. A. (2007). Screening methods used to determine the anti-microbial properties of Aloe vera inner gel. Methods, 42(4), 315-321.

Hammer KA, Carson CF, Riley TV: Antimicrobial activity of essential oils and other plant extracts. Journal of Applied Microbiology 1999; 86(6): 985-990.

Heggers, J.P., Cottingham, J., Gusman, J., Reagor, L., McCoy, L., Carino, E., Cox, R., Zhao, J.G., Reagor, L. (2002). The effectiveness of processed grapefruit-seed extract as an antibacterial agent: II. Mechanism of action and in vitro toxicity. Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine, 8(4): 521.

Hitchen, L. (2004, January 15). Garlic compound shows promise against MRSA. Hospital Doctor, Sutton: 2.

Lambert R.W., Skandamis P.N., Coote P.J., Nychas G.E (2001). A study of the minimum inhibitory concentration and mode of action of oregano essential oil, thymol and carvacrol. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 91: 453-462.

(October 24, 2007). Community-Associated Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). Received on 10/18/07 from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca.html

Ratio Study. (2007). Journal of the American Medical Association, 298(15):1763-1771

Von Woedtke, T., Shluter, B., Pflegel, P., Lindequist, U., Julich, W.D. (1999, June) Aspects of the antimicrobial efficacy of grapefruit seed extract and its relation to preservative substances contained. Pharmazie, 54(6): 452 - 456.

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