Watch out for MRSA
By Danell Swim
February 27, 2008
Seattle & King County is advising doctors in the area to consider treating patients with severe pneumonia for possible infection of antibiotic-resistant staph, known as MRSA.Reports of MRSA, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, have been increasing across the country over the past five years, public-health officials said. So are reports of strains of MRSA that carry a toxin implicated in both soft-tissue infections and necrotizing (flesh-eating) pneumonia.
Flu infections are peaking locally and can make people vulnerable to bacterial respiratory infections, such as MRSA, health officials said.
In severe cases, the infection can be difficult to treat, particularly when not caught early, said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Public Health’s chief of communicable disease control.
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