HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning hospitals about a "Superbug," lethal germs that are resistant to antibiotics.
What is the Superbug?
CRE are bacterium that are usually found in a human's digestive system. A common example is E. Coli, which lives in the colon. But these germs are different.
"It's picked up a very powerful tool," explains Dr. Karen Aguirre, the Biology Department Chair with Coastal Carolina University.
Some germs have developed defenses to fight off antibiotics. The CDC says the problem occurs when they get into the blood, bladder, or other areas where germs don't belong. Patients can suffer infections that are difficult, or impossible, to treat, according to the CDC.
Where are people picking up these germs?
Right now, the lethal germs are not directly affecting the general public, meaning it is safe to go to the store or to school without picking up the bug.
It is, however, prevalent in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and nursing homes.
"Yes, it's scary, but it's mostly in the hospitals, and you probably won't get sick from it if you're a healthy individual in the first place," explains Dr. Aguirre, "but if you're already immune-compromised, if you've had a long course of antibiotics, have an in-dwelling catheter, a ventilator, you're already weaker, and that's how this bug travels around."
What is being done to protect you
The CDC is urging hospitals to be proactive, implementing a Detect and Protect system. The CDC outlines how hospitals should do intense prevention work and make antibiotic-prescribing changes.
According to the CDC, facilities should be aware of whether or not CRE have been cultured from patients and if that happened within 48 hours of being admitted.
The core measures the CDC wants hospitals and care-facilities to take include hand hygiene, contact precautions, personnel education, and use of devices.
Steps hospitals should "keep people together, make sure they have dedicated instruments, being very careful and vigilant about hand washing," says Dr. Aguirre.
Why would prescribing antibiotics need to change
Dr. Aguirre explains that liberally taking antibiotics flushes your system of all the germs susceptible to antibiotics.
"We keep wiping out the antibiotic-sensitive strains of bacteria and that makes room, a niche, for the resistant ones," she explains.
Why is this bug so scary?
In addition to being resistant to many antibiotics, it has the potential to make other bacterium in your body resistant, as well.
"It carries within it its own enzymes, which causes it to jump out and reinsert somewhere else in the bacteria," says Dr. Aguirre.
Where did it come from?
According to biologists, strains being seen here in the United States can be traced back to patients being treated abroad. They urge you to tell your physician if you've been traveling before starting any treatment.
What can be done
Contact your doctor or hospital and ask if there have been any cases of CRE at that particular facility. While these germs are resistant to most antibiotics, Dr. Aguirre says the strains here in the United States can be treated if detected in time.
"A lot of people don't get symptoms, they carry it, it colonizes and doesn't affect them. It's pretty mysterious," she says.
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Source: CDC.gov
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