Flesh-eating disease outbreak hits Winnipeg's homeless

[waitinginthewings]

Originally Posted by burgundia

I read somewhere ( here?) that when you add oregano to not so pure water it will kill all the harmful bacteria. I think it is worth remembering.

Do you mean oregano oil....to use oregano powder would be pretty messy.

[Egg]

necrotising fasciitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes?

Streptococcus pyogenes' invasion strategy is somewhat direct - and brutal. It usually enters the human body where there is a break in the skin caused by injury. This includes cuts, burns, penetrating injuries, blunt trauma operative sites, enterostomy (the surgical operation of making an artificial opening into the intestine through the abdominal wall, as for drainage), ulcers and diabetic feet. Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria moves rapidly through tissue in a path along the fascia, which is the subcutaneous tissue (just beneath the skin) surrounding the muscle. Rapid multiplication of this invading army causes antibodies to recognise them and to release chemicals called cytokines7 that signal white blood cells to swallow the bacteria.

In the case of S pyogenes infection, phagocytosis (ingestion) of the bacteria is not necessarily a good thing - they pose a 'digestive problem' for the macrophages. An important cell wall component called peptidoglycan is very resistant to digestion, and will persist in the macrophages for as long as 146 days! Therefore, macrophages that have 'indigestion' (ie are laden with too much peptidoglycan from one too many killings) will accumulate in sites of infection. These cells are leaky, and enzymes that leak out from it will cause, among other things, local damage to collagen fibres and the connective tissue matrix. Many of these macrophages will die or form giant cells, and cause chronic inflammatory lesions in the host.

However, all pathogenic strains of S pyogenes have a protein called M protein, which enables them to escape from being eaten. The M protein prevents opsonization (the coating of a particle surface to facilitate engulfment by phagocytes) of the bacteria by a component of the complement cascade called C3b. This prevents formation of the enzyme C3 convertase, thus stopping the classical pathway cascade. Thankfully for us, S pyogenes isn't completely able to avoid phagocytosis. This is because when the bacterial cell breaks apart, it releases certain components that can also activate the complement cascade. At the same time, S pyogenes releases a torrent of toxins that cause massive tissue damage. This extensive tissue damage manifests itself as necrotizing fasciitis.

If the disease is allowed to progress, the body can go into systemic shock, resulting in multiple organ failure, collapse of the circulatory system due to disseminated intravascular coagulation (clotting of blood, spread out within the blood vessels). The coagulation cascade is activated during septic shock, causing formation of numerous small blood clots, which obstruct normal blood flow. The body's blood supply is consequently sequestered in the small blood vessels instead of the major ones, resulting in a drastic drop of blood pressure. The decrease of blood flow to essential organs in the body leads to oxygen starvation and, eventually, organ failure. Because this consumes abnormal amounts of fibrinogens and platelets (essential components in blood coagulation) these resources are depleted, resulting in haemorrhages that can further damage organs. Death is imminent.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A907481

Big quote, but here is the most important advice ever....


Wash your hands in hot soapy water!

Don't take my word for it, that advice comes from a microbiologist. Normal soap folks.

Let me say, for the record, the best thing you can do for the prevention of the spread of pathogens, is WASH YOUR HANDS! I don't mean soak them in bleach or harsh chemicals. Just plain soap works just as well. Soap makes your skin slippery, so the pathogens slide right off. I'm not a big fan of antibacterial soaps and gels. Antibacterial soaps and gels kill everything in sight, including your beneficial normal flora. Also they contribute to the evolution of more resistant bugs- like MRSA! Just use common sense, and wash your hands when they are dirty!

http://www.squidoo.com/bacteria

How does a young, vivacious model develop a UTI and end up dying after having several weeks of extensive surgery? Even more perplexing, how did this occur to begin with? According to the A.P., Brazilian Model Mariana Bridi, aged 20, had been hospitalized since January 3rd. During this time she endured numerous surgeries and procedures including amputation of both hands and feet as well as a portion of her stomach due to a toxic effect of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Doctors had originally diagnosed her with kidney stones in December, however as her condition worsened she was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. It eventually spread through her blood stream causing local gangrene to her limbs and internal bleeding. She died while hooked to a ventilator that breathed for her and on hemodialysis that cleansed her blood. It was a systemic Psuedomonas aeruginosa infection that ultimately killed her.

Psuedomonas aeruginosa is a very opportunistic pathogen. It very rarely causes disease in healthy persons however. In most cases of infection, there is a break in the integrity of the skin or mucous membranes. Sometimes an underlying immune deficiency such as a reduced white count (neutropenia) or immunosuppression from medication or disease is present which makes treating it more difficult. Adding to its pathogenicity, this bacterium has minimal requirements and is very hardy. Moreover, it is a very smart bacterium and is becoming more and more drug resistant…and from what I read it is prevalent in the hospitals of Brazil. How this girl contracted such a virulent strain outside of the hospital is a mystery to me. It usually is introduced by invasive procedures such as an indwelling catheter. But then again, times are changing…and so is our environment.

As a nurse with over 2 decades of experience, I can tell you that Pseudomonas is becoming a front runner in the Drug Resistant pathogens. By now most everyone has heard of Methacillin Resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA). But have you heard of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE)? How about Multi Drug Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (MDRPA)? This is when Pseudomonas becomes resistant the major drug groups that treat it such as Levaquin, Amikacin, Gentamycin and others. I have not read that this was the strain that lead to her death; however I would not be surprised.

Back in my early career in the 1980’s Pseudomonas was mostly an infection of the respiratory tract of the elderly and people with Cystic Fibrosis. Sometimes you would see it in the wounds of the immunocompromised and diabetics. It was not uncommon to treat these wounds with a simple ¼ strength acetic acid irrigations (vinegar) and topical antibiotics. If the infection was in the urine or respiratory tract we would give Penicillin derivatives or Tobramycin. It was usually considered an “institutionally acquired” pathogen. This means that it was not as prevalent in the community as it would be in hospitals, nursing homes and clinics. Not so anymore however.

Just last month I was helping an 18 year old plan for his discharge home. He needed wound care and 6 weeks of daily intravenous antibiotics. He needed this because he had to have his right eye removed after developing a Pseudomonas infection. This was from a corneal abrasion from his contact lenses being left in too long. The doctor felt that most likely the infection developed from the use of contaminated eye drops he was using while trying to treat his own injury initially. What a wake up call for this young man. When you consider the fact that it was confined only to his eye he was lucky in comparison however.

What can you do to help prevent this? Be judicious in using antibiotics casually for minor infections and virus that antibiotics can not treat anyhow. Be diligent in washing your hands and keeping your surroundings clean (not sterile). Keep your immune system healthy by proper diet and adequate vitamin intake. Most importantly keep your gut healthy with the use of probiotics on a daily basis. It is in your intestinal tract that much of your immune system lies.


http://www.examiner.com/x-876-Tampa-...-Mariana-Bridi

We can't say exactly what will happen if you have a kidney infection. Some people get better quickly with treatment. But these infections can be serious. Some people need treatment in hospital.

What will happen to you depends on several things. These include:[1] [2]

* How bad your infection is
* How old you are
* Whether you have other health problems
* Whether you get the right medicine
* Whether treatment works for you.

If your doctor thinks you have a kidney infection, you'll probably need to give a urine sample. This can be tested to find out what kind of bacteria are causing your symptoms. Your doctor can then prescribe the type of drug that's best at killing those bacteria. To read more about giving a urine sample, see What are the symptoms of a kidney infection?

Your treatment also depends on whether your kidney infection is complicated or uncomplicated. If your infection is complicated, it means it's more serious for some reason. You might have another medical condition that makes your infection worse, for example.
Being treated at home

If you have an uncomplicated infection, you'll probably be treated at home. If you get the right treatment, you should be feeling much better within a few days. You'll probably be completely cured after two weeks.[3]

About 9 in 10 people with an uncomplicated infection can be treated at home. But your doctor needs to make sure that you:[1]

* Can take drugs as tablets (you don't need to be given drugs as a drip). For example, if you're being sick a lot you might not be able to take tablets
* Have good support at home.

If you're treated at home, you'll probably be advised to take paracetamol to reduce pain and fever. To read more, see Painkillers for people with a kidney infection. You'll also be advised to drink plenty of fluids.

You'll need to see a doctor for check-ups. Let the doctor know if you are not getting better, or are getting worse, after a few days.[4]
Being treated in hospital

You'll need to be treated in hospital if:[5]

* You're being sick a lot and can't keep fluids down
* You're no better after three days or you're getting worse
* You have signs of sepsis. Sepsis is a dangerous problem caused by bacteria getting into your bloodstream.
* Your doctor isn't sure your symptoms are caused by a kidney infection
* Your urinary tract is blocked. Your urinary tract includes your kidneys, bladder and the tubes that carry urine.

You may need to go to hospital if you:

* Are over 60
* Are pregnant
* Have another health problem that affects your urinary tract
* Have an immune system that's been weakened and can't fight disease as well as it should. This could be because of diabetes, cancer or an organ transplant.
* Think you would find it difficult to get to follow-up appointments
* Don't have good support at home.

Women with a kidney infection are about five times more likely than men to need treatment in hospital.[1]

If you're treated in hospital, you'll probably be given antibiotics as a drip into a vein (also called an intravenous infusion or IV). Drugs given as a drip work quickly because they go straight into your bloodstream. Once you're feeling better, usually after two or three days, you'll probably move on to antibiotic tablets.[6]
How long will I need treatment?

Most people need to take antibiotics for about two weeks. But if you have a mild infection, taking them for one week may be enough.[6] If you have a complicated kidney infection, you may need to take antibiotics for as long as three weeks.[2] It's very important to finish the course of tablets, even if you feel better before you've finished taking them.

You should have another urine test one or two weeks after you finish taking antibiotics. This is to make sure that you're not infected any more.[1]

Sometimes antibiotic treatment doesn't work. This may happen if:[1]

* The bacteria that are causing the infection have become resistant to the particular drug you've been given. This means the bacteria have changed and can't be killed by that drug. You'll need to be given another drug.
* You have a kidney stone. You may need an operation to remove it.

What complications could I get?

Although most people get better completely with treatment, some go on to have complications. These can include:[7]

* A build-up of pus in your kidney, called an abscess. You may need an operation to remove the pus.
* Sepsis. This is a serious illness caused by bacteria getting into your bloodstream. The bacteria make poisonous chemicals which can make you very ill. If you get sepsis, you'll need intensive care in hospital and antibiotics given by a drip.
* Sudden kidney failure. This is when your kidneys stop working. It's a serious problem, and you'll need intensive care in hospital, but it usually gets better. While your kidneys aren't working, you may need a treatment called dialysis. Dialysis uses a machine to filter your blood and remove waste and fluids in the same way your kidneys would.

Some people get repeated kidney infections. This can lead to scarring and permanent damage to the kidney.[8] These infections usually happen less often with time, but your doctor may recommend that you take a small dose of an antibiotic every day to prevent them.[4]

It's rare for a kidney infection to be bad enough to die of, but it can happen. Men are more likely to die from a kidney infection than women. About 16 men die for every 1,000 who have a kidney infection. For women, it's only about 7 in 1,000.[9]

[burgundia]

Originally Posted by waitinginthewings

Do you mean oregano oil....to use oregano powder would be pretty messy.

You can grow your own oregano and add leaves( I think, I have never seen it in its natural form but I am going to grow it this year just to see) to water. And may be boil...?