Antibiotic Resistant "Superbug" Staph Infection Deaths May Surpass AIDS Death Toll

I was just looking up the Superbug called MRSA, and it's creepy that they knew this much about it 3 years ago (the date of the article is 2004) and yet, here we are in trouble with it...if you read the whole article it's really good, but shows how the drug manufacturers are just out to make a buck and not really caring about peoples' welfare...very scary that we have a looming problem on our hands. I know that to me, it's been sort of frightening and I've sort of avoided learning more about it, but I think we should get educated to protect ourselves.

If you only have time to read or listen to one, I suggest the 2nd, highlighted link below.

60 Minutes Article from 2004

CDC Podcast on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

October 2007: Superbug in McDonough GA Henry County Schools

Experts: Drug Resistant Staph Deaths May Surpass AIDS Toll

Tips from the CDC Podcast on how to protect yourself:

• Use good hygeine, wash hands often or use alcohol based hand gels.
• If you participate in sports, shower immediately afterward.
• Keep all cuts and abrasions covered with clean bandages until healed.
• Avoid sharing of items that involve direct skin-to-skin contact, like towels and razors.
• If you use weight training or exercise machines, use a towel as a barrier between your body and the equipment.
• Surfaces that come into contact with skin regularly should be cleaned well.
  

These tips apply to households and businesses...the CDC specifically mentioned households as a place of risk. I'm stocked up on Lysol wipes but I really should get crackin' and using them more!

UPDATE 8 November 2007: here is a map of health issues and infectious disease outbreak 'hot spots'
Select North America and then on the side area you can select which disease you would like to track. Staph is on the list. LINK