Infections remain a leading cause of death globally and in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>, five bacteria were responsible for at least 6.8 lakh deaths in 2019, a new <keyword id="6361830" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="lancet" source="Orion">Lancet</keyword> study has revealed. The five deadly bacteria in India are led by E.coli, along with S. pneumoniae, K. pneumoniae, S. aureus and A. baumanii. E. Coli alone claimed at least 1.6 lakh lives in India in 2019. Globally, there were 77 lakh deaths associated with the 33 bacterial pathogens (both resistant and susceptible to antimicrobials) across the 11 infectious syndromes. "The 33 bacterial pathogens that we investigated in this study are a substantial source of health loss globally, with considerable variation in their distribution across infectious syndromes and locations," said the Lancet study. "Hence, they should be considered an urgent priority for intervention within the global health community. Strategies to address the burden of bacterial infections include infection prevention, optimised use of antibiotics, improved capacity for microbiological analysis, vaccine development, and improved and more pervasive use of available vaccines," the researchers noted. The researchers estimated deaths associated with 33 bacterial genera or species across 11 infectious syndromes in 2019 using methods from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and <keyword id="5660103" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="risk-factors-study" source="Orion">Risk Factors Study</keyword> (GBD) 2019, in addition to a subset of the input data described in the Global Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance 2019 study. This study included 343 million individual records or isolates covering 11,361 study-location years. From an estimated 13.7 million infection-related deaths in 2019, there were 7.7 million deaths associated with the 33 bacterial pathogens (both resistant and susceptible to antimicrobials) across the 11 infectious syndromes estimated in this study. Five leading pathogens -- Staphylococcus aureus, <keyword id="2091600" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="escherichia" source="Orion">Escherichia</keyword> coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, <keyword id="3059707" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="klebsiella" source="Orion">Klebsiella</keyword> pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa -- were responsible for 54.9 per cent of deaths among the investigated bacteria. "The age-standardised mortality rate associated with these bacterial pathogens was highest in the sub-Saharan Africa super-region, with 230 deaths per 100a%000 population," said the study. S aureus was the leading bacterial cause of death in 135 countries and was also associated with the most deaths in individuals older than 15 years, globally. Among children younger than 5 years, S pneumoniae was the pathogen associated with the most deaths. "In 2019, more than 6 million deaths occurred as a result of three bacterial infectious syndromes, with lower respiratory infections and bloodstream infections each causing more than 2 million deaths and peritoneal and intra-abdominal infections causing more than 1 million deaths," the study noted. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/gold-declines-rs-408-silver-drops-rs-594/articleshow/95659459.cms">Gold declines Rs 408; silver drops Rs 594</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/government-issues-guidelines-to-guard-against-fake-reviews-of-products/articleshow/95676593.cms">Government issues guidelines to guard against fake reviews of products</a>

5 bacteria behind at least 6.8 lakh deaths in India in 2019: Lancet

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The US Department of Transportation is investigating whether Neuralink transported hazardous pathogens.</li><li>Activists alleged Neuralink had not properly transported brain chips from monkey test subjects.</li></ul>The US Department of Transportation (DOT) is investigating Elon Musk's brain-chip startup, Neuralink, over concerns the company may have transported hazardous pathogens.A DOT spokesperson confirmed to Insider that the agency was looking into the issue on Thursday after an animal right group had sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Reuters was the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/elon-musks-neuralink-may-have-illegally-transported-pathogens-animal-advocates-2023-02-09/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first to report the probe</a>. "We have received the request from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and we take these allegations very seriously," the spokesperson said. "We are conducting an investigation to ensure that Neuralink is in full compliance with federal regulations and keeping their workers and the public safe from potentially dangerous pathogens."The group, the Physicians Committe of Responsible Medicine (PCRM) said in a <a href="https://www.pcrm.org/news/news-releases/physicians-group-elon-musks-neuralink-may-have-violated-federal-hazmat-law">press release on Thursday</a> that it had emails and other records that pointed to the possibility that the company had not properly packaged the brain implants from its test monkeys ahead of transportation in compliance with <a href="https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2021-09/Hazmat%20Law%20Overview_September-2021_0.pdf">Federal Hazmat Law</a>. PCRM said the documents showed that pathogens, like antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus and Klebsiella, as well as Herpes B virus, had potentially been transported in 2019 without meeting DOT guidelines, including proper sanitization and packaging.PCRM cited an alleged email from 2019 in which a UC Davis employee said they were "concerned for human safety" at the site due to the risk of contaminated material. The group said contaminated hardware could cause issues in humans, including blood infections, pneumonia, and meningitis. A spokesperson for Neuralink did not respond to a request for comment from Insider ahead of publication.The documents are from when Neuralink was working with University of California, Davis. The partnership ended in 2020, but PCRM told Reuters that Musk's company still employs many of the same staff, including the neurosurgeon in charge of the experiments on the animal test subjects.A spokesperson for UC Davis told Insider that the institution complies with lab safety and biohazard regulations.The animal rights group has taken issue with Neuralink in the past. Last year, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-neuralink-experiments-monkeys-extreme-suffering-animal-rights-group-2022-2">Insider reported</a> that the group had sued UC Davis and filed a complaint with the US Department of Agriculture over Neuralink's treatment of its monkeys. PCRM said at the time that it had obtained records showing the monkeys experienced "extreme suffering as a result of inadequate animal care and the highly invasive experimental head implants during the experiments."Neuralink previously denied some of the injuries cited by the group and said the company is "absolutely committed to working with animals in the most humane and ethical way possible."Musk <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-companies-tesla-spacex-boring-co-neuralink-twitter-2022-4" rel="">cofounded</a> Neuralink in 2016 as a brain-computer interface company. The billionaire has said in the past that Neuralink's chips — which are coin-sized devices designed to be implanted in the brain via a surgical robot — could one day do anything from cure paralysis to give people telepathic powers, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVvmgjBL74w" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">referring to the device as "a Fitbit in your skull</a>."The device has <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/qai/2022/12/07/elon-musks-neuralink-brain-implant-could-begin-human-trials-in-2023/#:~:text=Neuralink%20could%20start%20human%20trials%20in%202023&amp;text=One%20of%20the%20biggest%20announcements,human%20brains%20implanted%20with%20microchips.">yet to receive approval</a> from the Food and Drug Administration.

Elon Musk's brain-chip startup is being investigated over potentially moving hazardous pathogens after monkey tests

We carry them everywhere, take them to bed, to the bathroom and for many people they're the first thing they see in the morning - more than 90 per cent of the world owns or uses a mobile <keyword id="10861" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="phone" source="Orion">phone</keyword> and many of us couldn't manage without one. But while health concerns about phones use usually focus on the distraction they can cause while driving, the possible effects of radiofrequency exposure, or just how addictive they can be. The microbial infection risk of your phone is much less appreciated - but it's very real. A 2019 survey found that most people in the UK use their phones on the toilet. So it's not surprising to discover studies have found our mobile phones to be dirtier that toilet seats. We give our phones to children to play with (who aren't exactly well known for their hygiene). We also eat while using our phones and put them down on all sorts of (dirty) surfaces. All of which can transfer microbes onto your phone along with food deposits for those microbes to eat. It's been estimated that people touch their phone hundreds if not thousands of times a day. And while many of us wash our hands regularly after say, going to the bathroom, cooking, cleaning, or gardening, we are much less likely to consider washing our hands after touching our phones. But given how disgusting and germ-infested phones can be, maybe it's time to think more about mobile phone hygiene. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Germs, bacteria, viruses" comment="subhead" text="Germs, bacteria, viruses">Germs, bacteria, viruses</cmsannotation> Hands pick up bacteria and viruses all the time and are recognised as a route for acquiring infection. So too are the phones we touch. A number of studies conducted on the microbiological colonisation of mobile phones show that they can be contaminated with many different kinds of potentially pathogenic bacteria. These include the diarrhoea-inducing E. coli (which, by the way, comes from human poo) and the skin-infecting Staphylococcus, as well as Actinobacteria, which can cause tuberculosis and diphtheria, Citrobacter, which can lead to painful urinary tract infections, and Enterococcus, which is known to cause meningitis. Klebsiella, Micrococcus, Proteus, Pseudomonas and Streptococcus have also been found on phones and all can have equally nasty effects on humans. Research has found that many pathogens on phones are often antibiotic resistant, meaning they can't be treated with conventional drugs. This is worrying as these bacteria can cause skin, gut and respiratory infections that can be life-threatening. Research has also found that even if you clean your phone with antibacterial wipes or alcohol it can still be recolonised by microorganisms, indicating that sanitisation must be a regular process. Phones contain plastic which can harbour and transmit viruses some of which (the common cold virus) can live on hard plastic surfaces for up to a week. Other viruses such as COVID-19, rotavirus (a highly infectious stomach bug that typically affects babies and young children), influenza and norovirus - which can cause serious respiratory and gut infections - can persist in an infectable form for several days. Indeed, since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has introduced guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting mobile phones - which, along with door handles, cash machines and lift buttons, are considered reservoirs of infection. In particular, concern has been raised about the role mobile phones can play in the spread of infectious microbes in hospital and healthcare settings, as well as in schools. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Clean your phone" comment="subhead" text="Clean your phone">Clean your phone</cmsannotation> So it's clear that you need to start cleaning your phone regularly. The US Federal Communications Commission actually recommends daily sanitation of your phone and other devices - not least because we are still within an active COVID-19 pandemic and the virus can survive for several days on hard plastic surfaces. Use alcohol-based wipes or sprays. They need to contain at least 70 per cent alcohol to disinfect phone casings and touch screens, and it needs to be done every day if possible. Do not spray sanitisers directly onto the phone and keep liquids away from connection points or other phone openings. Absolutely avoid using bleach or abrasive cleaners. And wash your hands thoroughly after you've finished cleaning. Thinking about how you handle your phone will also help to avoid it becoming colonised with germs. When not at home, keep your phone in your pocket, or bag and use a disposable paper list of to-do items, rather than constantly consulting your phone. Touch your phone with clean hands - washed with soap and water or disinfected with alcohol-based hand sanitiser. There are other things you can do to avoid your phone becoming a source of viruses. Do not share your phone with others if you have any infection, or have not first sanitised it. If children are allowed to play with your phone, sanitise it as soon as possible afterwards. And get in the habit of putting your phone away when not in use, then sanitising or washing your hands. You might also want to occasionally sanitise your phone charger when you are cleaning your phone. (The Conversation) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/jiocinema-may-soon-launch-premium-subscription-plans-offering-4k-content-starting-at-2-per-day/articleshow/99736111.cms">JioCinema may soon launch premium subscription plans starting at ₹2 per day</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/mahindra-bolero-roars-past-1-lakh-sales-mark-in-fy23/articleshow/99725410.cms">Mahindra Bolero roars past 1 lakh sales mark in FY23, proving it's still a favourite amongst Indians</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/unpaid-subsidies-worth-1200-crore-leading-to-serious-liquidity-crisis-among-ev-makers-says-industry-body/articleshow/99589401.cms">Unpaid subsidies worth ₹1,200 crore leading to ‘serious liquidity crisis’ among EV makers, says industry body</a>

Bed, bathroom and beyond: The dirty truth about your phone

A big chunk of patients in India may no longer benefit from carbapenem, a powerful <keyword id="6369335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="antibiotic" source="Orion">antibiotic</keyword> administered mainly in ICU settings to treat pneumonia and septicemia, as they have developed <keyword id="2005077" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="antimicrobial" source="Orion">antimicrobial</keyword> resistance to it, an <keyword id="6364396" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="icmr" source="Orion">ICMR</keyword> study has found. The data analysis done between January 1 and December 31, 2021 pointed towards a sustained increase in drug-resistant pathogens, resulting in difficulty to treat certain infections with available medicines, senior Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) scientist Dr Kamini Walia, who led the study, said. "Antibiotic resistance has the potential of taking the form of a pandemic in the near future if corrective measures are not taken immediately," she said. The ICMR study report was released on Friday. The data collected from the network has enabled compilation of drug resistance data on six pathogenic groups on antimicrobial resistance from the country. Data collected from the network is used to track resistance trends and to better understand mechanisms of resistance in the key priority pathogens using genotypic characterisation and whole genome sequencing (WGS). This is the fifth detailed report on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) trends and patterns from the country published by the ICMR. This year's report also carries hospital-acquired surveillance data. According to the ICMR report, resistance to Imipenem, which is used to treat infections caused by bacteria E coli, has increased from 14 per cent in 2016 to 36 per cent in 2021. The trend of decreasing susceptibility of bacteria to specific antibiotics was also observed with Klebsiella pneumoniae as it came down from 65 per cent in 2016 to 45 per cent in 2020 and 43 per cent in 2021. The susceptibility term here is used to describe the vulnerability of the bacteria to the antibiotic. Carbapenem resistance isolates of E coli and K pneumoniae are also resistant to other antimicrobials making it very challenging to treat carbapenem-resistant infections. The resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotic carbapenem in respect to infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria was recorded in 87.5 per cent of the patients who were part of the study, limiting the availability of treatment options, the ICMR report said. Susceptibility of the same bacteria to minocycline is close to 50 per cent, making it the most susceptible antibiotic after colistin for Acinetobacter baumannii, it stated. In <keyword id="401096" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pseudomonas" source="Orion">Pseudomonas</keyword> aeruginosa, another bacteria which causes infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), or other parts of the body after surgery, there is a consistent increase in susceptibility to all the major antipseudomonal drugs in the last few years, Dr Walia said. "There is a need to strengthen and improve diagnostic labs to promote rational use of antibiotics. Antimicrobial prescriptions should be based on definitive diagnosis and not on presumptive diagnosis. Several broad-spectrum antimicrobials are being used for syndrome management," Dr Walia said. "The resistance level is increasing to 5 to 10 per cent every year for broad-spectrum antimicrobials which are highly misused. With no new antimicrobials in the pipeline to treat drug-resistant infections, it is very important that we use judiciously what we have. There is also increasing levels of resistance of antifungals. Previously not many labs were doing fungal cultures and antifungal susceptibility. "The ICMR AMR network has developed this over the last few years and now many labs are reporting antifungal susceptibility rates giving an idea on antifungal resistance rates. The use of antifungals was particularly high during the Covid pandemic," she said. According to the ICMR report, in Staphylococcus aureus, which causes a wide variety of clinical diseases such as skin infections like abscesses and boils and sometimes pneumonia, endocarditis and osteomyelitis, susceptibility to erythromycin, clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, co-trimoxazole and high-level mupirocin was more evident in MSSA (Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus) when compared to multi-drug resistant strains such as MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus). MRSA rates are increasing each year from 2016 to 2021 (28.4 per cent to 42.6 per cent). Enterococci is another important pathogen which is quickly evolving and drug susceptibility has changed considerably in the last few years. Several fungal pathogens like C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata are showing increasing resistance to commonly available antifungal medicines such as fluconazole, thus requiring close monitoring in the next few years. Among diarrheal pathogens like Diarrheagenic E. coli, Shigella spp. and Salmonella that cause large proportions of diarrhoea cases in India, norfloxacin susceptibility was very poor. Empirical use of norfloxacin for the treatment of bacterial diarhhoea is strongly discouraged, Dr Walia said. There has been no significant change in the overall antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Salmonella Typhi or S Paratyphi A from India with the pattern remaining uniform across all the participating centres in the AMR network. S. Typhi is 100 per cent susceptible to cephalosporins and azithromycin. Other drugs which retained good susceptibility for Salmonella Typhi or S. Paratyphi A are ampicillin, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Drug resistance sets in for a powerful pneumonia antibiotic: ICMR

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Most <keyword id="6376020" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="bacteria">bacteria</keyword> aren't harmful to humans, but most <keyword id="87479" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="viruses">viruses</keyword> are potentially harmful. </li><li>Bacteria are living organisms, while viruses are parasitic and need a live host to reproduce. </li><li>You can prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses by<a href="https://www.insider.com/how-long-should-you-wash-your-hands" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> washing your hands with soap and water</a>, and practicing good hygiene.</li></ul>Bacteria and viruses are the most <a style="font-family: Georgia, Times, sans-serif;" href="https://www.bcm.edu/departments/molecular-virology-and-microbiology/emerging-infections-and-biodefense/introduction-to-infectious-diseases">common causes</a> of disease in humans. When you touch a surface, shake hands, or are exposed to someone's sneeze, you come into contact with new bacteria — and potentially new viruses — which can enter the body when you <a style="font-family: Georgia, Times, sans-serif;" href="http://needtoknow.nas.edu/id/infection/encountering-microbes/entering-the-human-host/">touch your mouth, nose, or eyes</a>. Here's what you need to know about the difference between bacteria and viruses, how to prevent their spread, and how to treat bacterial or viral infections if you have them. <h2>The biological difference between bacteria and viruses</h2><a href="https://microbiologyonline.org/index.php/about-microbiology/introducing-microbes/bacteria">Bacteria</a> are single-celled organisms that live all around us — including inside our gut. Most bacteria aren't harmful, and some are even protective. However, a small percentage can be harmful and cause illness. <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/virus">Viruses</a> are parasitic, which means they need a live host in order to survive. Viruses infect the cells of living beings, including humans, and can cause diseases like the common cold or AIDS. Although most viruses are potentially harmful,<a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/not-all-viruses-are-bad-for-you-here-are-some-that-can-have-a-protective-effect"> some can actually be beneficial</a>. <h2>Bacteria are not usually harmful, but viruses are </h2>Bacteria are living organisms. They reproduce by splitting in half, and some can double their numbers every 20 minutes. That's why, although they are small, bacteria can have a big impact on our <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword>. Humans have<a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-human-microbiome-project-defines-normal-bacterial-makeup-body"> trillions of bacteria</a> in and on our bodies, and most of them keep us healthy by <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/microbiome/">supporting bodily functions</a> like digestion. However, about <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/bacterialinfections.html">1% of bacteria</a> can cause illness, says <a href="http://www.albertplasticsurgery.com">Mark G. Albert</a>, MD. These commonly include: <ul><li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/staph.html">Staphylococcus aureus</a>, which can cause upper respiratory infections. </li><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519004/">Klebsiella pneumonia</a> and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/clinicians/streptococcus-pneumoniae.html">Streptococcus Pneumoniae</a>, which can cause pneumonia. </li><li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/index.html">E. coli</a> and <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/salmonella/symptoms-causes/syc-20355329">Salmonella</a>, which are found in undercooked meat, and can cause food poisoning. </li></ul>On the other hand, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21523/">viruses</a> aren't considered to be living organisms, because they need a host cell to reproduce. Similar to bacteria, viruses spread when they come in contact with the host. Once you've come into contact with a <keyword id="10860" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Virus">virus</keyword>, it attacks healthy cells in your body, taking them over to reproduce and spread throughout your body. However, your <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5091071/">immune system</a> attacks most harmful viruses before they can make an impact, says <a href="https://www.nancemd.com/">Erin Nance</a>, MD.Whereas bacterial infections are usually limited to one area of the body — like an ear infection or strep throat — viral infections tend to spread more easily and affect the whole body. These include: <ul><li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/">Common cold</a>, which is most commonly caused by rhinoviruses. The symptoms are centered around the head and chest and include sore throat, sneezing, and coughing.</li><li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm">Flu</a>, which is caused by the influenza virus. Symptoms include fever, coughing and aches.</li><li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/grows-virus-cell-culture.html">Coronavirus</a>, or COVID-19, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID19-symptoms.pdf">Symptoms</a> include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. </li></ul><h2>How to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses </h2>Despite their differences, bacteria and viruses are both susceptible to <a href="https://www.insider.com/does-hand-sanitizer-work">hand soap and sanitizer</a>. Soap and water is the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html">first-line defense</a>, and if you don't have access to soap and water, use <a href="https://www.insider.com/does-hand-sanitizer-work">a hand sanitizer</a> that is at least <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html">60% alcohol</a>, Albert says. Research has found that proper hand-washing <a href="https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(07)00595-0/abstract">reduces the number of bacteria and viruses</a> by both killing them and removing them from the skin. "The most important thing is to practice good hand-washing hygiene: wash with soap and water for 20 seconds and wipe dry," says Nance. "Wash your hands frequently after touching communal surfaces such as computer keyboards, banisters, elevator buttons, and ATMs."In fact, a<a href="https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/142/5/e20181245"> 2018 study</a> published in the journal Pediatrics found that better hand-washing practices at daycares — like using soap and water, or hand sanitizer — led to fewer days out sick, fewer infections, and fewer <keyword id="6369335" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="antibiotic">antibiotic</keyword> prescriptions. In addition to washing your hands, try to avoid touching your face. "Microorganisms enter our body through the mucus membranes on our face," Albert says. Covering coughs and sneezes is also important, since droplets of fluid that leave your body when you cough or sneeze can contain viruses or bacteria. If you're sick, stay home and away from others to avoid inadvertently passing your virus or bacteria.To disinfect surfaces,<a href="https://www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/en/useofbleach.htm"> bleach</a> is an effective option, since it kills bacteria and viruses. Disinfecting wipes can also be effective,<a href="https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(13)00192-2/abstract"> research</a> has found. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/cleaning-disinfection.html">recommends</a> disinfecting with a bleach solution or one that is at least 70% alcohol. <h2>Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial infections, but not viral infections </h2><a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/10278">Antibiotics</a> — medications that stop or slow the spread of bacteria — can be used to treat bacterial infections. Amoxicillin, bacitracin, and penicillin are common antibiotics, and are used to treat ear infections, cuts or scrapes, and respiratory infections, respectively. Although antibiotics are effective, it's important to<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/index.html"> use them selectively</a>, since bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics. "Antibiotics are specific for each bacteria and work to interfere with one of the vital functions of that bacteria's cell," Nance explains. Viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics. However, some viral illnesses can be treated with an antiviral medication. These medications are designed to fight a specific virus by interrupting its ability to regenerate or invade healthy cells, Nance says.<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/index.htm"> Tamiflu</a> is an antiviral medication used to treat influenza.<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/downloads/vacsafe-understand-color-office.pdf">Vaccines</a> can be useful for both bacterial and viral infection. Vaccines work by introducing your body to the infectious agent — whether a bacteria or virus — so that your body can build its immune response. While some infections like influenza have effective vaccines, other infections, like the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31478634">common cold</a> and <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20479976">coronavirus</a>, do not yet have a vaccine. In many cases, especially in otherwise healthy individuals, viral infections like the <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-long-does-the-flu-last">flu</a>, the <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-long-does-a-cold-last">common cold</a>, or <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-treatments-and-vaccines-gileads-remdesivir-moderna-2020-3">coronavirus</a> will resolve themselves. However, people with underlying health concerns are at a higher risk for developing complications from these viral infections. <h1>Related stories about keeping germ-free:</h1><ul><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-hand-soap">The best hand soap</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-hand-sanitizers">The best hand sanitizer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-disinfecting-cleaner">The best disinfecting cleaners</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/does-hand-sanitizer-work">Does hand sanitizer work? The difference between sanitizer and soap</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/does-hand-sanitizer-expire">Hand sanitizer does expire — here's whether it's still worth using</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-do-viruses-spread">How do viruses spread and how to protect yourself against infection</a></li></ul>

The difference between bacteria and viruses, which is more harmful, and how to prevent infection from both

<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/52b32ebf6bb3f7d72af15450-1200-924/perdue-chicken-2.jpg?maxX=480" border="0" alt="Perdue Chicken" width="480" />AP</div></div>There is harmful bacteria crawling all over the chicken breasts you cook with, according to an eye-opening study by <a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2014/02/the-high-cost-of-cheap-chicken/index.htm">Consumer Reports</a>. 
The magazine tested for bacteria on more than 300 chicken breasts purchased from various retailers, including supermarkets and regionally owned grocery stores, in 26 states. The selection included products from national brands including Perdue, Tyson, Pilgrim's and Sanderson Farms, as well as no-brand chicken. 
Consumers Reports found that 97% of the breasts were tainted with at least one of six bacterias that can make people sick, including salmonella, campylobacter, and staphylococcus aureus (common causes of food poisoning); E. coli and enterococcus (which indicate fecal contamination); and klebsiella pneumoniae (a bug that can cause infections such as pneumonia).
Nearly 80% of the samples tested positive for enteroccoccus, followed by E. coli (65%), campylobacter (43%), klebsiella pneumoniae (13.6%), salmonella (10.8%) and staph (9.2%).
Half the samples also tested positive for at least one drug-resistant bacterium.
Alarmingly, the magazine found no significant difference in the amount of bacteria present on chicken labeled as "organic" or "antibiotic free."
Here's a summary of the results:
<ul>
<li>97% of the breasts contained at least one of six bacterias that can make people sick</li>
<li>80% of the samples tested positive for enteroccoccus, followed by E. coli (65%), campylobacter (43%), klebsiella pneumoniae (13.6%), salmonella (10.8%) and staph (9.2%)</li>
<li>More than half of the chicken breasts contained fecal contaminants (enterococcus and E. coli), which can cause blood and urinary-tract infections</li>
<li>Of the 65.2% of chicken breasts that tested positive for E. coli, 17.5% of the bugs were "ExPEC" bacteria, "a nasty type of E. coli that's more likely than other types to make you sick with a urinary-tract infection," according to Consumer Reports.</li>
</ul>

Study Finds A Shocking Amount Of Salmonella and E. Coli On Store-Bought Chicken Breasts

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5a678de800d0ef36008b4577-2400/img39.jpg" alt="streptococcus bacteria" data-mce-source="CDC" />CDC</div></div></div><ul><li>An Arizona woman was thought to have the flu when she first sought out medical treatment on January 11.</li><li>After several days of severe pain, doctors realized she was suffering from necrotizing fasciitis, flesh-eating disease.</li><li>So far, surgeons have removed more than 30% of her soft tissue to stop the infection.</li></ul><hr /> Christin Lipinksi first received medical treatment for the flu on January 11. But after several days of increasingly severe pain, it was clear something else was wrong.Lipinski was rushed to a trauma hospital, where it was discovered that a bacterial infection had turned into a life-threatening aggressive case of necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease, which causes soft tissue like skin, muscle, ligaments, blood vessels, and fat to die), <a href="https://www.abc15.com/news/region-west-valley/litchfield-park/valley-woman-hospitalized-after-being-diagnosed-with-flesh-eating-disease">according to local news reports</a>.She immediately was rushed into the first of what would be at least seven surgeries, according <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/care-for-christin">to a GoFundMe</a> page raising money for treatment and recovery costs not covered by insurance. So far, doctors have removed more than 30% of her soft tissue to stop the spread of the infection.She is now in critical but stable condition, according to the fundraising page.<h2>Necrotizing fasciitis and influenza</h2>The flu, caused by the influenza virus, cannot trigger flesh-eating disease, which is caused by infection with a number of different bacteria. According to the CDC, various types of bacteria can cause the infection, including group A Streptococcus bacteria, Klebsiella, Clostridium, E. Coli, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/woman-dies-of-vibrio-necrotizing-fasciitis-infection-eating-raw-oysters-2018-1">Vibrio vulnificus</a>, and others.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5a67a27a00d0ef2c008b4637-1280/ap120514121546.jpg" alt="flesh eating bacteria" data-mce-source="AP/UTMB-Galveston, Ashok K. Chopra, Ph.D., and Dr. Leon Bromberg" data-mce-caption="A scanning electron microscopic image shows WT (wild type) Aeromonas hydrophila strain SSU, bacteria responsible for a flesh-eating disease." />AP/UTMB-Galveston, Ashok K. Chopra, Ph.D., and Dr. Leon BrombergA scanning electron microscopic image shows WT (wild type) Aeromonas hydrophila strain SSU, bacteria responsible for a flesh-eating disease.</div></div></div>It's possible that a case of the flu weakened Lipinski's immune system to the point that she was more susceptible to a bacterial infection. People are most likely to get these infections if bacteria enters broken skin at the site of an open wound.But it's also possible that some of Lipinski's initial infection symptoms were mistaken for flu symptoms. Some necrotizing fasciitis symptoms "may seem like another illness or injury," <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/features/necrotizingfasciitis/index.html">according to the CDC</a>. Along with severe pain or soreness, people can develop fever, chills, fatigue, and vomiting, all of which might be associated with the flu.Necrotizing fasciitis is uncommon. One estimate says there are between 600 and 1200 cases from the most common cause, group A strep, each year - though the CDC reports that this is <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/abcs/overview/index.html">likely an underestimate</a>. But these infections kill close to 30% of those infected. They needed to be treated urgently, with antibiotics to kill the bacteria and surgery to remove affected tissue and stop the spread."Christin faces a very long road to recovery ahead with numerous skin graft surgeries, reconstructive surgeries and physical therapy," the GoFundMe page states. "We currently don't know how long it will take for Christin to fully recover but she will most likely be hospitalized for several months before she can be safely discharged assuming there are no further complications." <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ufo-video-department-of-defense-scientists-dont-care-2018-1">Why most scientists don't care about these incredible UFO videos</a></h3> <div> <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/7ydYM9hW-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script> </div> </div>

An Arizona woman diagnosed with the flu was actually infected with life-threatening flesh-eating bacteria

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/525ff2866bb3f77d7baaec48-1280/flesh-eating-bacteria.jpg" alt="flesh eating bacteria" data-mce-source="AP/UTMB-Galveston, Ashok K. Chopra, Ph.D., and Dr. Leon Bromberg" data-mce-caption="A scanning electron microscopic image shows WT (wild type) Aeromonas hydrophila strain SSU, bacteria responsible for a flesh-eating disease." />AP/UTMB-Galveston, Ashok K. Chopra, Ph.D., and Dr. Leon BrombergA scanning electron microscopic image shows WT (wild type) Aeromonas hydrophila strain SSU, bacteria responsible for a flesh-eating disease.</div></div></div><ul><li>An 8-year-old boy in Oregon died from necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease, after being infected with bacteria in the aftermath of a bike crash.</li><li>He had received stitches for the wound but it wasn't until several days later that his parents noticed that his skin was discolored and he was in extreme pain.</li><li>The CDC says that after a wound, if someone has spreading discolored skin, fever, chills, or vomiting, they should immediately seek medical treatment.</li></ul><hr /> An 8-year-old boy from Oregon named Liam Flanagan died on January 21 from a case of necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease, that he'd contracted after a bicycling accident.It's a devastating story that shows just how dangerous these rare infections can be, and Flanagan's parents have expressed that they hope others will learn the signs of infection to look out for."We don't want any other parents to go through this," Liam's stepfather Scott Hinkle <a href="http://www.eastoregonian.com/eo/local-news/20180123/pilot-rock-boy-dies-from-rare-flesh-eating-bacteria">told the East Oregonian</a>.Liam crashed his bike on January 13. The incident caused the handlebar to slice through his jeans and into his thigh. He received seven stitches in the emergency room before being sent home, according to a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/liam-flanagan-medical-fundraiser">GoFundMe crowdfunding page</a> set up by the family, first for medical costs and now also for the memorial.But several days later, when Flanagan was complaining of worsening pain, his parents looked at his thigh and noticed it was extremely discolored, purplish-red, and looked gangrenous. They sped to the emergency room, where doctors began an intense course of antibiotics and a series of at least four surgeries to try to remove infected tissue before it spread further. The condition causes soft tissue like skin, muscle, ligaments, blood vessels, and fat to die; the infection needs to be killed or cut away before it spreads further.Unfortunately, they were unable to save his life.<h2>Signs of necrotizing fasciitis</h2>Despite appearing in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/arizona-woman-diagnosed-with-influenza-had-necrotizing-fasciitis-infection-2018-1">several</a> recent <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/woman-dies-of-vibrio-necrotizing-fasciitis-infection-eating-raw-oysters-2018-1">news reports</a>, necrotizing fasciitis is extremely rare. But it is deadly, especially if not treated immediately.Flesh-eating disease can be caused by an infection with a number of different bacteria, according to the CDC, including group A Streptococcus bacteria, Klebsiella, Clostridium, E. Coli, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/woman-dies-of-vibrio-necrotizing-fasciitis-infection-eating-raw-oysters-2018-1">Vibrio vulnificus</a>, and others.One estimate says there are between 600 and 1200 cases from the most common cause, group A strep, each year - though the CDC reports that this is <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/abcs/overview/index.html">likely an underestimate</a>. These infections kill close to 30% of those infected. They needed to be treated urgently, with antibiotics to kill the bacteria and surgery to remove affected tissue and stop the spread.In Liam's case, he was probably infected by bacteria in the soil when he crashed his bike.It's impossible to say whether doctors could potentially have treated the infection if they noticed it sooner. His parents said he hadn't seemed to be in any more pain than anyone normally would be after having stitches until they noticed something was really wrong.People are more susceptible to necrotizing fasciitis if the have a condition or illness that weakens their immune system, but either way, the bacteria usually causes infection at the site of a wound. Normally, the condition is accompanied by extreme pain that may start as soreness, like with a pulled muscle, but quickly becomes more severe. Spreading areas of discolored skin are a sign of the condition.If any of these symptoms are present after a wound appears, or if you have fever, chills, or vomiting, the CDC advises seeing a doctor for treatment immediately. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ufo-video-department-of-defense-scientists-dont-care-2018-1">Why most scientists don't care about these incredible UFO videos</a></h3> <div> <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/7ydYM9hW-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script> </div> </div>

A young boy in Oregon died from flesh-eating bacteria after crashing his bike - here's what to look out for

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/525ff2866bb3f77d7baaec48-1280/flesh-eating-bacteria.jpg" alt="flesh eating bacteria" data-mce-source="AP/UTMB-Galveston, Ashok K. Chopra, Ph.D., and Dr. Leon Bromberg" data-mce-caption="A scanning electron microscopic image shows WT (wild type) Aeromonas hydrophila strain SSU, bacteria responsible for a flesh-eating disease." />AP/UTMB-Galveston, Ashok K. Chopra, Ph.D., and Dr. Leon Bromberg</div></div></div><ul><li>A daycare teacher from Houston thought an injury on his foot had caused a blister to form, but the rapid spread of infection caused him to seek medical treatment.</li><li>Doctors recognized that he had been infected by bacteria that cause necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh-eating disease, and were able to stop the infection by amputating his foot before it spread further.</li><li>These infections are rare but need to be treated urgently or they can be fatal.</li></ul><hr /> It started with what appeared to be a blister.Raul Reyes, a 26-year-old Houston daycare teacher, had hurt his foot at work. It was swollen and soon, a blister formed, which he thought was caused by his shoe rubbing his swollen foot.When Reyes woke up the next morning, the blister covered his whole foot. A medical clinic rushed him to the hospital. In the emergency room, x-rays revealed he had a serious, quickly-spreading infection.Reyes was rushed into surgery."Thirty minutes pass and I see the doctor come out," Joseline Reyes, who is married to Raul, <a href="https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Houston-man-foot-amputated-flesh-eating-bacteria-12714044.php#photo-15171564">told the Houston Chronicle</a>. "She tells me that she tried to get as much bacteria out but that they had to amputate his foot in order to save his life."The infection in Reyes' foot turned out to be <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/category/necrotizing-fasciitis">necrotizing fasciitis</a>, also known as <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/features/necrotizingfasciitis/index.html">flesh-eating disease</a>. These infections, caused by a variety of bacteria, cause soft tissue such as skin, muscle, ligaments, blood vessels, and fat to die. The infection needs to be killed or cut away before it spreads.Reyes lost a foot and does not have medical insurance to cover a prosthetic, according to a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/raul039s-prosthetic-foot">GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign raising money</a> to cover that prosthesis. But he did survive the surgery and is recovering now, according to that campaign.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5a9d82d6cf2f5c24008b459c-711/2798142415195243060r.jpg" alt="raul reyes necrotizing fasciitis" data-mce-source="GoFundMe campaign for Raul Reyes" data-link="https://www.gofundme.com/raul039s-prosthetic-foot" /><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/raul039s-prosthetic-foot">GoFundMe campaign for Raul Reyes</a></div></div></div><h2>A mysterious case of flesh-eating disease</h2>Necrotizing fasciitis can be caused by an infection with a number of different bacteria, according to the CDC, such as group A Streptococcus bacteria, Klebsiella, Clostridium, E. Coli, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/woman-dies-of-vibrio-necrotizing-fasciitis-infection-eating-raw-oysters-2018-1">Vibrio vulnificus</a>, and others.Whatever the cause, these infections needed to be treated urgently, with antibiotics to kill the bacteria and surgery to remove affected tissue and stop the spread. Flesh-eating disease kills close to 30% of those infected.The loss of a limb is devastating for anyone, but if Reyes had waited any longer to seek treatment, it's likely he would have lost more than a foot - very possibly his life.The big question is how he was infected in the first place.Many flesh-eating bacteria infections are acquired when an open wound is exposed to bacteria, often in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/arizona-woman-diagnosed-with-influenza-had-necrotizing-fasciitis-infection-2018-1">brackish, coastal water</a>, like the water found near Houston. But Reyes hadn't been in the water recently. However, many of the bacteria that cause these infections <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/oregon-boy-died-from-necrotizing-fasciitis-infection-after-bike-crash-2018-1">can also live in soil</a> or other locations.In this case, doctors think that an ingrown toenail could have been the wound that allowed the infection to start.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5a678de800d0ef36008b4577-2400/img39.jpg" alt="streptococcus bacteria" data-mce-source="CDC" />CDC</div></div></div><h2>Signs of a rare but deadly infection</h2>The idea that something as slight as a small cut could potentially expose you to deadly bacteria is disconcerting. But it's worth noting that despite media <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/arizona-woman-diagnosed-with-influenza-had-necrotizing-fasciitis-infection-2018-1">coverage of these cases</a>, they are still extremely rare.One estimate says there are between 600 and 1,200 cases from the most common cause, group A strep, each year - though the CDC reports that this is <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/abcs/overview/index.html">likely an underestimate</a>.The most important thing to know is that anything that appears to be a rapidly spreading infection should be immediately seen by a medical professional.People are more susceptible to necrotizing fasciitis if they have a condition or illness that weakens their immune system, but either way, the bacteria usually causes infection at the site of a wound. Normally, the condition is accompanied by extreme pain that may start as soreness, like with a pulled muscle, but quickly becomes more severe. Spreading areas of discolored skin are a sign of the condition.If any of these symptoms are present after a wound appears, or if you have fever, chills, or vomiting, the CDC advises seeing a doctor for treatment immediately. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-would-happen-if-humans-tried-landing-on-jupiter-space-2018-2">What would happen if humans tried to land on Jupiter</a></h3> <div> <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/TOjqNuZO-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script> </div> </div>

A 'blister' on a Houston day-care teacher's foot turned out to be flesh-eating disease- here's what to know about the condition

<div class="image-container float_right" style="width:400px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/513780646bb3f7f14b000006-600-401/dpk-vs-hai-klebsiella-pneumonia.jpg?maxX=400" border="0" alt="Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria enterobacteriaceae" width="400" /></div><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/media/dpk/2013/dpk-vs-hai.html">CDC</a></div>More and more patients are suffering from infections caused by <keyword id="6376020" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="bacteria">bacteria</keyword> that are resistant to all (or nearly all) anti-bacterial medications, a new report from the CDC shows. 
Since anti-bacterial drugs were first developed, the bacteria that cause disease in humans have been building a resistance to them. 
As these antibiotic-resistant germs become more widespread, doctors have had to resort to what they call our "last-resort" antibiotics — specifically a type known as Carbapenems.
When bacteria become resistant to these drugs, doctors are left with no other options for treatment. One group of bacteria that cause human disease and have developed this resistance are the are the Enterobacteriaceae, which include bacteria like E. coli and Klebsiella.
As a group they are called the Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or CREs.
Director of the CDC <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/f/thomas_r_frieden/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Thomas R. Frieden." class="meta-per">Thomas R. Frieden</a> called CREs a "nightmare bacteria" during a telephone news conference on March 5.
Bacteria are all around and all over us, but most of them are harmless. In the intestines, these enterobacteriaceae bacteria are normal and healthy, but when they infect other sites on the body — like the bladder or blood — they can cause disease.
The CRE (resistant bacteria) are even more dangerous because they aren't killed by normal anti-bacterial drugs. They can also spread this ability to other bacteria, making them immune to anti-bacterial drugs as well.
<div class="image-container float_left" style="width:400px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/51378064eab8eae365000013-600-401/dpk-vs-hai-jdg-1203cc.jpg" border="0" alt="dpk vs hai JDG 1203cc bacteria antibacterial resistant petri dish scientist lab" width="400" /></div><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/media/dpk/2013/dpk-vs-hai.html">CDC</a>CDC staff show two plates growing bacteria in the presence of discs containing various antibiotics. The isolate on the left plate is susceptible to the antibiotics on the discs and is therefore unable to grow around the discs. The one on the right has a CRE that is resistant to all of the antibiotics tested and is able to grow near the disks.</div>They are also lethal: Half of patients who get a bloodstream infection with these bacteria die. These resistant bugs are found in <keyword id="6365858" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="hospitals">hospitals</keyword>, where patients usually already have weakened immune systems.
The bacteria are transferred from person to person through contact — usually on the hands of <keyword id="6378833" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="health-care">health care</keyword> workers. They are becoming more and more common. <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/HAI/CRE/index.html">According to the CDC</a>, "they have increased from 1 percent to 4 percent in the past decade. One type of CRE has increased from 2 percent to 10 percent"
They've been found in 42 states. During a six-month period of 2012, 4 percent of hospitals and 18 percent of long term care centers in the U.S. reported CRE infections.
There are also new strains popping up recently, <a href="http://emergency.cdc.gov/HAN/han00341.asp">the CDC said</a>: "Of the 37 unusual forms of CRE that have been reported in the United States, the last 15 have been reported since July, 2012."
An outbreak of CRE at a long-term care hospital in Florida infected 44 percent of patients and lasted a year before it was stopped. In a press conference, CDC officials said that the problem is common in hospitals in New York City and other areas of the Northeast as well.
The CDC recommends that nurses, doctors and other <keyword id="6354750" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> care professionals take precautions, like washing their hands more frequently and removing things like IVs and catheters as quickly as possible.
"We have seen in outbreak after outbreak that when facilities and regions follow CDC’s prevention guidelines, CRE can be controlled and even stopped," said Michael Bell, M.D., acting director of CDC’s Division of Health care Quality Promotion, said in a press release. "As trusted health care providers, it is our responsibility to prevent further spread of these deadly bacteria."

You Searched For "klebsiella" and got 10 results

5 bacteria behind at least 6.8 lakh deaths in India in 2019: Lancet

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Elon Musk's brain-chip startup is being investigated over potentially moving hazardous pathogens after monkey tests

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Drug resistance sets in for a powerful pneumonia antibiotic: ICMR

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The difference between bacteria and viruses, which is more harmful, and how to prevent infection from both

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Study Finds A Shocking Amount Of Salmonella and E. Coli On Store-Bought Chicken Breasts

Hayley Peterson

An Arizona woman diagnosed with the flu was actually infected with life-threatening flesh-eating bacteria

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A young boy in Oregon died from flesh-eating bacteria after crashing his bike - here's what to look out for

Kevin Loria

A 'blister' on a Houston day-care teacher's foot turned out to be flesh-eating disease- here's what to know about the condition

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'Nightmare Bacteria' Kills Up To Half Of Infected Patients

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