What caused MRSA and CA-MRSA?
Antibiotics are effective against bacteria, but not germs such as viruses. MRSA (caused by bacteria) and other “superbugs” are the result of years and years of excessive and unnecessary prescription and use of antibiotics. In the past, antibiotics have been prescribed for colds, flu, and other viral infections “just in case” the symptoms were caused by bacteria or in case a secondary bacterial infection might develop. This over-prescribing has contributed to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Even if antibiotics are prescribed appropriately, they don’t kill every germ they target. Bacteria reproduce very rapidly, and those that survive treatment with one antibiotic soon “learn” to resist others. Because they mutate so rapidly, they become resistant to antibiotics quicker than new, more effective drugs can be developed. Some bacteria, such as MRSA, have become resistant to almost every antibiotic. Currently, only a handful of drugs are effective against this infection. Consequently, healthc
