Dangerous bacteria appearing more often in Bay area

Thursday, August 16, 2007

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Leeann Thurston's daughter. Emma. caught MRSA. (Caution: graphic photos)

TAMPA (Bay News 9) -- A number of people in the Bay area have been hit recently with a flesh-eating and potentially deadly bacterial infection.

The superbug, which is normally found in nursing homes and hospitals, is highly resistant to many common antibiotics.

One of those recently infected was 14-year-old Emma Thurston, who noticed two bumps on her legs. Thurston and her mother, Leann Thurston, thought they looked like two spider bites, but they turned into large lumps.

Doctors cultured the bumps, found an infection, and treated Emma, but the bumps continued to get worse.

They went to University Community Hospital in Tampa, where they discovered Emma had Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureusethicillin, or MRSA, a potentially fatal bacteria skin infection that most antiobiotics cannot cure.

Jacqueline Whitaker, director of infection control at UCH, said in the past year they've seen an increase in the number of MRSA infections in the Bay area.

"Sometimes it will develop into a bloodstream infection and pneumonia and attacks the white blood cell and fills up the lungs," Whitaker said. "And you can die from that."

Whitaker said that an estimated 25- to 30 percent of the population are carrying the bacteria. However, many will not become infected unless there is a break in the skin from a scratch or insect bite.

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The highly contagious infection starts out looking like a small pimple or boil and typically targets the elderly and those with weak immune systems. But it's now hitting younger and healthier people, and also showing up among athletes on sports teams.

It's not known how Emma Thurston became infected, but she's expected to make a full recovery.

Anyone with a skin care infection that doesn't seem to respond to over-the-counter medication and lasts for more than a few days is urged to contact a health care provider.

The Centers for Disease Control provided these recommendations for avoiding infections like MRSA:

Wash hands with soap and water frequently
Wash dishes, clothes and towels with hot water and soap
Do not share personal items such as razors, washcloths or towels
Avoid contact with people's wounds, or material that may have been contaminated by their wounds, such as clothing and sports equipment

You can watch this story at your convenience on Bay News 9 on Demand, channel 342 on Bright House Networks digital cable

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