What follows is a personal story about what appeared to be an innocent insect bite but turned out to be flesh-eating bacteria!
Innocent Little Bump
A simple observation in the mirror one morning revealed what looked to be an innocent mosquito bite on my forehead, between my eyes. Little did I know what was lurking under the skin. I treated it locally with a nutraceutical, but realized that it was not improving. I consulted with a doctor friend (who is also an internist and university professor), who said the inflammation appeared to be an insect bite.
As time progressed, an inflammatory process was evident with reddening skin. Within hours, it felt like a bowling game was being played between my eyes. The next morning, after it was apparent no progress was being made and the event was becoming very irritating, I called my doctor, John Lees, D.O., and went in immediately to be observed. He took one look, sat down, and started writing prescriptions.
“Buddy, you have got a Methicillin-Resistent Staphhylococcus Aureus (MRSA), known as ‘flesh-eating bacteria,’” he said. “This is serious business and nothing to mess around with.” I was sent immediately for the prescriptions, with instruction to return in 24 hours.
MRSA has been dubbed the “super bug” and is resistant to normal antibiotic therapy due to the indiscriminant overuse of antibiotics, a common practice in medical application today. In other words, the bug had become smart enough to outwit the majority of antibiotics in common use today. This leaves the body defenseless and little time to survive the onslaught of the bacteria’s fury. Somewhat fortunate for me, I had not been an antibiotic user, and had rarely taken such for medical purposes. (In addition, I had a very competent diagnosis by my “Super Doctor” and personal friend that, in essence, saved my life.)
“Flesh-eating bacteria” operate swiftly and without mercy, and with a casual misdiagnosis could result in amputation of the affected limb or death! At the time I was probably thinking what you may be wondering now, “If this treatment was not successful, how do you cut off your head and still survive?” Morbid fears arise quickly as you face the reality of a quick demise.
It is imperative that we understand the seriousness of these bacteria, which is not only real but can be passed on in something as simple as a casual handshake. Who could believe that a friendly handshake could risk your health? The old biblical statement, “what is your life but a vapor - here today and gone tomorrow,” is a stark reality.
You must be very conscious of any strange eruption on the skin which appears to be as innocent as a pimple, small boil, spider bite, or pus-filled swelling. It is best that you plan to be a competent OVERSEER of your health, which means TAKING CHARGE, or you may well unexpectedly visit your UNDERTAKER.
The Risk of Hospitals
As stated in other articles on this site, every time you enter a hospital or nursing home, you are in danger due to the nature of bacterial-resistant strains which frequent these breeding grounds. Hospitals are very unsafe locations. You should check their infection rate with the anticipation that at some time you may be taken there, even against your will. Further disconcerting is the knowledge that one of the leading causes of death in a hospital is “unrelated infections” that are obtained while being treated there. Over 100,000 people die annually in hospitals as a result of unsanitary practices which harbor these “smart bugs” and put you in a world of hurt and risk of death.
There are also hospital-born MRSA that prowl the hallways of hospitals and nursing homes. An even more dangerous form is the community-born (CA) MRSA, which strikes healthy people, athletes, and children. These folks typically have not been in the hospital like most of the other victims of these types of bacteria, such as the elderly and seriously ill.
As an example, I am aware of a specific case where a pancreatic cancer patient contracted a regular Staph infection while undergoing a so-called “surgical treatment.” As a result, he left the hospital with both the cancer AND the infection, putting another nail in his coffin. It would only be a few months before he headed to his final resting place.
A Serious Epidemic
Dr. Robert Daum, M.D., an infectious disease specialist, says that the community-born MRSA is “genetically distinct from the hospital strain and more virulent.” This strain produces “toxins which kill white blood cells (the body’s main infection fighter).” He goes on to observe that, “We are seeing aggressive, rapidly progressing cases. A child can be healthy and playing with his toys in the morning, and dead from infection that night.“
This epidemic is so wide-spread that 2.3 million Americans carry the bacteria in their noses, without symptoms! The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported in 2006 that carriers can self-infect or infect others as the bacteria burrow past the body’s defense system.
Skin Alerts
Be aware that any break in the skin (i.e. a razor nick, a scratch, or nose picking) can injure the fragile membranes of the nose and set the stage for a Staph infection.
While pondering and researching this article, and while waiting and hoping to defeat this ominous enemy, a young firefighter from my home town had his leg amputated. A wrong diagnosis or late discovery could mean such a fateful result.
Inconceivable Tragedy
Here are three cases that drive home my point:
Case #1: Two-month old Madeline had a runny nose and cough. Within hours, she was limp and pale. After being air-lifted to a hospital and put on life support, she died. Her anguished parents are victims of a horrible loss that occurred so quickly.
Case #2: An 11-year-old boy fell off his bike, banging his hip. A couple days later, the sixth grader was in excruciating pain and could hardly walk. Hospitalized with a massive infection, a scan showed fluid build-up in his chest. The infection was discovered to be eating holes in his lungs. After a quick surgery and seven weeks later, he survived, thanks to the urgent attention of his doctor. The doctor informed the parents, relieved that recovery was occurring, that traumatized tissue from the bike accident was an invitation for the infection to enter the zone. Who could believe such a thing could occur?
Case #3: A high school athlete was struck down with an infection. He was in a coma for 18 days, placed on a bypass machine, then regular respirator. Eventually he was weaned off the life support, but only after his body withered away from 159 lbs to 118 lbs. His muscles had just wasted away. At age 16, he had to learn to walk, dress, and feed himself, but he was a SURVIVOR. He is now very particular about his hygiene, washing his hands frequently and sanitizing his helmet and sports clothing.
How to Protect Yourself
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Frequent Hand Washing
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Be Aware that Skin-to-Skin Contact is a Risk
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Cover Cuts and Scrapes
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Sanitize Gym Clothing and Linens
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Hot Clothes Dryers Help Kill Bacteria
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Don’t Share Personal Items
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Keep Fingernails Short and Clean
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Use Alcohol-Based Hand Cleaner When Soap is not Available
Protecting yourself is obviously a serious challenge. We need to be alert with our children, our personal hygiene, and insist on frequent hand washing while minimizing handshaking as a friendly greeting. You, too, could avoid the kiss of death.