Saturday, June 7, 2008

The Cost of Treating MRSA


MRSA is a form of staph bacteria that is proving very resistant to antibiotics and becoming a deadly killer. The cost of treating MRSA can be nearly as big a shock as the illness.

MRSA stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Given the way that just rolls off the tongue, you can see why MRSA is used. Regardless, it is a form of staph infection that is becoming more and more of a problem.

The problem is simple. Unlike "regular" staph bacteria, MRSA is very resistant to antibiotics. There has long been a concern that such strains would develop because some critics felt doctors were over prescribing antibiotics for just about everything. It would appear those critics might be right.

MRSA is a real issue for health providers. It is transmitted through direct contact with either another person or a surface containing the bacteria. This has resulted in the startling discover that many people pick up MRSA in hospitals and care facilities. Reports of infections occurring in gyms have also arisen.

Once infected, MRSA can be deadly. Fever, chills, low blood pressure, joint pain, severe headaches, shortness of breath, and a rash over much of the body are the typical symptoms. If MRSA reaches the internal organs of the body, it can be terminal. Yes, a skin rash can effectively kill you.

The best way to prevent MRSA is to kill it before it infects. Although it is difficult to treat in the body, it is easy to kill outside of it. The use of hand sanitizers and anti-bacterial spray is a must these days. Wash your hands after being in the bathroom and so on. Yes, you!

As scary as MRSA is, the cost of treating it can make you faint as well. The cost of hospitalization doesn't need much explanation here. It is enormous. The prescriptions for the treatment, however, are just as bad. Three pills of Vancomycin a day are often recommended. Each pill runs over $30, which means you are spending close to $100 dollars a day. The alternative treatment of Zyvox runs about the same amount per pill. Assuming you take a 10 day treatment dose, you are looking at $1,000 or so on just the prescriptions!

Unfortunately, MRSA is just not going to go away. Make sure you have health insurance. If you don't, wash your hands repeatedly and make every effort to keep your health up.

You can buy Zyvox here
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