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Resistant Staph Infections Cause Child Deaths

On August 19, 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that a strain of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria which is antibiotic-resistant (methicillin-resistant staph aureus or MRSA) has now been recognized as an emerging, community-acquired infection. It has previously only been found in "patients with serious medical problems, recent or current hospitalization, or residence in long-term care facilities."

As a result, 4 children in Minnesota and North Dakota over the past 2 years have died due to serious infection from MRSA.

Since MRSA has been found in both rural and urban settings, the CDC warns that the bacteria may be widespread in some communities. CDC spokesman Dr. Tim Naimi explains that "physicians need to be aware this problem could exist where they are and that it may be increasing. They need to be diligent about culturing infections to determine if MRSA bacteria are present."

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a result of the overuse of antibiotics in the last few decades. Other researchers in previous studies have reported that much of the antibiotic overuse comes from doctors who continue to prescribe antibiotics for viral problems such as colds and flu that they know the drugs are ineffective against.

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