Potential Life Threatening Organisms Could Dismantle Health System

With the resurgence of measles, differential strands of the flu, and deadly diseases like Ebola, there is a visible uneasiness growing within our country. Could there be a new reason for fear to plague Americans within the very institutions we depend on to keep us well?

Enterobacteriaceae or CRE is a bacteria that has been deemed by many as the bacterium of terror. The baneful micro-organisms were the cause of 2 deaths within a Los Angeles hospital recently. The CRE malady affected seven patients in total at Ronald Reagan UCLA hospital. Now, the hospital is seeking out other patients that had endoscopic procedures dealing with the pancreas between October 2014 and January of this year according to CNN. These individuals may carry the greatest risk of spreading CRE.

Also labeled as “Superbugs”, they are not unknown to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is simply a resurgence from a bacterial strand that was seemingly forgotten 2 years prior.

The most prevalent, and perhaps frightful, characteristic of these organisms is their evolution. The highly, mordacious entity is resistant to a slew of antibiotics. Therefore, you must wonder if there is any good news involving this new and unprecedented danger? There may be a tiny glimmer of promise.

Unlike many viral infections around today, CRE cannot be transmitted through common contact or sneezing. To retain the bacteria, one must come in contact with an infected wound or stool of a sick individual and then touch an open wound on your own body. However, since the bacterium is more prevalent in hospitals, one cannot rule out an infected piece of medical equipment contributing to the spread of the disease.

So we know many are asking, how exactly can I prevent CRE if the reactive approaches that correlate directly to many antibiotics are not dismantling the bacterial bugs effectively? As with all viral infection prevention techniques, washing and sterilizing your hands is vital. Still, other health instruments used must be cleaned thoroughly as well before use. Hospital personnel should take extra precautionary methods to disinfect all items used for health operations.

Probably, the best and most proactive approach to CRE is to stay informed. In order to conquer anything, you should always be one step ahead in knowledge and preparation within the subject.

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