There are two main types of MRSA – hospital acquired (HA-MRSA) and community acquired (CA-MRSA). Community acquired MRSA cases are on the rise across the nation. Just a few years ago, entire schools would be put on alert if a student had a confirmed MRSA infection but now they are somewhat commonplace. On the other hand, hospital acquired MRSA is still a deadly disease for many. An article that I recently 
read suggests that there may be a relationship between reduced antibiotic use and a reduction in the amount of MRSA cases.
Twenty-five years ago, Norwegians were also losing their lives to this bacteria. But Norway’s public health system fought back with an aggressive program that made it the most infection-free country in the world. A key part of that program was cutting back severely on the use of antibiotics. Source: Sphere
The Norwegian program to reduce MRSA cases involved more than just lowering antibiotic usage, but that is where it started and as a non-healthcare professional, it makes sense. When people are prescribed antibiotics, it is not uncommon for them to stop taking their medication before it is finished. After a few days on the medicine, you start feeling better and then just kind of forget about finishing it off.
However, what you’ve done is left the strongest bugs alive in your system. As a result, more and more bacterial infections are becoming resistant to basic antibiotics. I admit I used to be bad about this. However, public health campaigns that focused on the importance of finishing a course of antibiotics helped me change my habits.
As a mother, I understand and appreciate the fact that antibiotics are there and have helped my children recover from certain illnesses. In the past month, both of my kids had strep throat and Ava actually had a second MRSA infection. We played the wait and see game with the MRSA infection because we were managing it well at home but when it kept coming back, she ended up on a course of antibiotics. Naturally, she finished the complete course.
That being said, I’m a fan of limiting antibiotic use. Alexander has been on antibiotics approximately five times in his eight and a half years – one was for MRSA and the rest were for strep throat (if I recall correctly). Unfortunately, Ava’s been on antibiotics more frequently – she’s prone to strep infections and she even had scarlet fever in 2009.
As the Sphere article describes, the Norwegian model has been replicated in hospitals across the country. It would be great if even more doctors and healthcare institutions followed the Norwegian program. With nearly 19,000 deaths from MRSA each year in the United States, these measures could save thousands of lives.
Photo: lofaesofa/Flickr
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Good information. I can’t remember the last time either of my children were on antibiotics, but if they do need them again, I will make sure to finish the bottle. I always thought the only reason to finish was to make sure the illness was all gone. I had no idea that stopping too soon is possibly one of the contributing factors to our ever increasing antibiotic resistance.
Thanks for the comment Robin – that is great that your kiddos haven’t had to take abx in a while. Here is a link with more information about antibiotic resistance.
“Not finishing the full dosage of the antibiotic. When an antibiotic prescription is not finished (even leaving one or two pills), it leaves some bacteria alive and “resistant” to future antibiotic treatment.”
http://www.acponline.org/patients_families/diseases_conditions/antibiotic_resistance/
I know about antibiotic resistance – it’s a problem with many types of infections. What I don’t know is what MRSA is. Maybe you could add a definition for those of us who don’t.
Great idea Alison.
MRSA, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a highly contagious staph infection.
From the CDC
“Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems. ”
HTH!