One of the most dangerous health threats known to humans are superbugs that have evolved to be resistant to multiple drugs. And these superbugs are causing serious and often fatal illnesses, called super infections. The infection enters the blood stream, spreading throughout the whole body, often starting as a low grade systemic infection.

Pharmaceutical Drug Immunity

These super bugs that become immune to drugs are described as multidrug-resistant, or MDR. They are able to resist many pharmaceuticals such as amphotericin B, echinocandins, and fluconazole. They can survive on chairs, hospital equipment and furniture — on bed rails, chatheters — and even on human hands. They have become immune due to improper use of the medication, over-prescription, and even the use of these antibiotics on livestock. Bacteria adapts to antibiotics, thus, the more that it is exposed to drugs, the more it is able to resist, until it has become super bugs.

The CDC, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is working on ways to control these super infections.

Symptoms to look out for:

• Rashes
• Bumps that look crusty, may be oozing, or pus-filled
• Signs of food poisoning — nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration
• Fever
• Chills
• Sepsis
• Endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of the heart)
• Coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Little to no response to conventional therapy for fungus infection

Those that are on higher risks include patients who have recently undergone surgery; those who have diabetes; patients on antibiotic/antifungal prescriptions especially those who have been taking these for longer periods than advised; those who are using central venous catheter, bladder catheter, breathing/feeding tubes; people who are frequently in the hospital or in nursing homes; and especially those whose immune system has been compromised or have weakened.

How to avoid getting infection

1. Take antibiotics ONLY when necessary, and strictly according to the practitioner’s instruction.
2. Keep the immune system at its peak. Eat healthy, de-stress, take proper rest, drink lots of water, and take supplements for any nutrient deficiency. Ask your practitioner about taking fish oil, vitamin C and D, echinacea, calendula, astragalus, elderberry, and other immune-strengthening herbs.
3. Clean and protect wounds properly. This includes scrapes and cuts, and minor to major surgeries. Avoid touching other people’s wounds. Follow the surgeon’s advise on how to keep the dressing clean. Observe the wound for any signs of swelling, oozing, and redness and consult a practitioner immediately if there are any.
4. Observe proper hygiene:
   • Wash hands thoroughly and often. 20 to 30 seconds in warm water is ideal, and use natural soap. Do this especially when going to and leaving a hospital, a nursing home, or a day care.
   • Fabrics and linens, especially those that are shared, mus be washed regularly. And make sure all working surfaces are disinfected as well.
   • Avoid sharing items that are used for personal hygiene, such as towels, razors, bath scrubs… Those that can carry bodily fluids.
   • Be sure to take showers after visiting the gym.
   • Wash shared utensils, and even cooking equipment, thoroughly
5. Avoid food contamination by proper food storage and handling.