~ MRSA ALERT IN GYMS ~

[HOUDA-K]

By Paul Sims, Evening Standard
28 February 2005

A fresh warning over catching MRSA in gyms and health clubs is issued today.

It comes after a woman died and at least 100 others were infected.

The new variety of the superbug is called Community-Acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA). It has been found in changing rooms and similar communal areas and can cause skin infections.

These show up as boils, abscesses and inflammations and can lead to a lethal type of pneumonia. Victims can become infected with CA-MRSA when the skin has been grazed. Experts said it was becoming a "significant threat outside healthcare settings" and is spreading.

Initially, MRSA was a problem affecting hospitals and nursing homes and was concentrated mainly among the elderly who have weaker immune systems. But infections are increasingly community-acquired and prevalent among young, otherwise healthy, adults.

The latest alert came after a 28-year-old woman who contracted CA-MRSA died from pneumonia. No other details of her case were available.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) in north London has studied cases which did not respond to usual treatments such as the penicillin class of antibiotics.

Dr Angela Kearns, head of the staphylococcus reference laboratory at the HPA, said: "In a handful of cases we have seen the infections passed between the members of the same family." She said the kind of boils caused by CA-MRSA "can be quite severe and may need hospitalisation and drainage".

Dr Kearns added: "In view of the small number of cases, it is difficult to say we should be alarmed but it is one of those situations where we need to remain vigilant." Dr Mark Enright at the University of Bath said: "MRSA is becoming a significant danger outside healthcare settings.

"These bugs are pandemic. It is more of a future threat in Britain than a current one, but they are taking it very seriously in the United States." In the early Eighties cases of CA-MRSA were reported in America, primarily among those with a history of injecting drugs. It has now spread throughout North America, causing outbreaks in the community and among prison inmates, sports teams and military units.

There have been cases in France and Germany. The number of deaths in Britain related to MRSA doubled in four years from 487 in 1999 to 955 in 2003.

[Amina-DZ]

Khti Houda, is this an excuse to keep away from the gym? Or a tactic to put me off?

Naa seriously, thanks for the info. Although the article didn't explain what to do in terms or preventative measures.

I found this link:

http://www.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/NR/r...ollug/mrsa.pdf

Here are a few guidelines to help prevent and control the spread of MRSA in the community:

· Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
· Avoid sharing personal items (e.g., towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms). An individual who becomes infected should wash all bed linens and clothes in hot water and laundry detergent frequently until the infection has cleared.
· Report any suspicious skin sore or boil to your healthcare provider (including the school nurse) immediately.
· If you participate in sports involving close personal contact (e.g. wrestling and football), shower with soap immediately after each practice, game, or match.
· Non-washable gear (i.e. head protectors), should be wiped down with alcohol after each use.
· Athletic equipment such as wrestling or gymnastics mats should be wiped down regularly with an antibacterial solution (i.e. Hibiclens).
· Athletes should receive a total body check prior to any game, match, or tournament.
· Individuals with an infection involving drainage (i.e. pus drainage) should be excluded from participation in sporting events and practices until no pus drainage is present, the infected site can be adequately covered with a bandage and clothing, and a physician’s release has been obtained.
· Any cut or break in the skin should be washed with soap and water and a clean dressing applied on a daily basis.

[HOUDA-K]

Choukrane for the posting, it’s amazing how some people don’t wash their hands before/after they attend the gym.

And there’s no exaggeration when I say this, that I have seen some women wear the entire war paint whilst excercing ~ foundation the lot, plus sweating ~ not a good combination, yaki ?

LOL @ excuse from keeping away from the gym , your far too competitive Sis !

No, seriously, I haven’t been going to the gym continuously , I blame the weather and the journey and because of that my motivation has plummeted to an all down low.

I’ve been going gym hunting. And I have un ~ yet found a good quality women’s gym.

So, I’ll have to get back to you in regards to my scores ~ LOL

[Amina-DZ]

Originally posted by HOUDA-K
No, seriously, I haven’t been going to the gym continuously , I blame the weather and the journey and because of that my motivation has plummeted to an all down low.

Oh no! I'll loose my motivation

[Shotokan_Karate]

Thanks for the warning sis Houda! Prevention is better than cure

As for the rest, it's excuses...excuses...excuses! lol

[HOUDA-K]

~Khti, Amina, ~

You won’t lose motivation, as you seem pretty hard core with increasing your workout.

~Khoya, ~

Wallahi, this is no excuse ~

[Amina-DZ]

Originally posted by HOUDA-K
And there’s no exaggeration when I say this, that I have seen some women wear the entire war paint whilst excercing ~ foundation the lot, plus sweating ~ not a good combination, yaki ?

I couldn't agree more! I can imagine it would be messy

Khti Houda, what's wrong with the gym you used to go to??

Actually I find dull weather better for exercising than sunny bright days, I leave home to go to the gym even when it's snowing sometimes

As for losing motivation, I'm not there yet You have a lot of catching up to do by the way. If I were you, I'd start ASAP !