Drug-Resistant "Superbug" Hits U.S.

Posted September 17, 2010

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Posted Thursday September 17, 2010 by Jackie Morgan MacDougall

Move over H1N1, you've got competition. NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase), a "superbug" that has been sparking fear around the world, has recently made it's way into the U.S. The bad news: NDM-1 is drug resistant, allowing bacteria to escape some of the strongest antibiotics available. The not-so-bad news: While some are reporting on the superbug like it's the plague, don't quarantine the kids just yet. Because among the small number of people treated for NDM-1 this year, all of them had traveled from India, where each had separately undergone a medical procedure.

Not one to miss out on an opportunity to pair fear with the latest fashion, Couture Brands has launched a new line of "Fashion Face Masks." The company, quite proud of their fancy new invention, suggests we "protect the entire family from germ-filled activities -- in style." And just how do we do that? By purchasing one of their breathable medical masks, of course! Not only are they available in solid colors and prints (with monogram options available), the they're said to be perfect for "shielding your family from infirmity and death." (Cue the evil laugh here)

While I applaud the quick response to public concern, according to reports (and my favorite go-to pediatrician, Dr. Gwenn), the "superbug" threat isn't airborne and doesn't even affect the general public. The bacteria is more likely to be contracted by someone in a hospital environment or through poor hygiene like children playing in sewage. And frankly, if your kids are playing in sewage, I'm guessing you're probably not on family.com looking for parenting advice.

Besides, I'm not sure American fashion is ready for the blinged-out pink sapphire fashion face mask. And what's up with the men's palm tree style? Nothing says manliness like a face mask decorated with palm trees. Between you and me, the masks kind of look like something you might seen worn at a cheesy Chippendales performance or maybe protecting the goods of a football player--certainly not something I want near my face. Yikes.

While they don't include satin or bedazzling, there are some (common sense) ways to prevent the spread of germs and keep our families healthy as we head into colder weather, courtesy of Dr. Gwenn.

• Avoid close contact
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose. (Take a note from your kid's teacher and cough/sneeze into your elbow to keep germs from your hands)
• Wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

I can't help but notice how many adults are on top of their kids to follow the above tips but don't do it themselves. And we spread germs throughout the day just as often as the little ones. Count how many times you've shared a pen, exchanged money, touched a public door knob or pumped gas in the past week without even considering the millions of hands who've been there before. Did you wash your hands afterward? And how about how disgusting the actual act of washing hands can be? We turn on the faucet with dirty hands, wash, and then turn off the same faucet with clean hands. Didn't we just undo the whole point of washing our hands in the first place? (My own personal tip: Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet.)

So while I'll be saving the $11.45 it costs for a mask that can be worn 3-4 times before being tossed out, I think I'll be spending the same amount in anti-bacterial wipes.
If only they came in pink satin polka dots.

Jackie Morgan MacDougall is a TV-executive turned parenting blogger who lives a crazy life with her husband and three small kids. Her dreams of climbing the corporate ladder have been replaced by the dream of one day having a nap. You can find more of her musings at The Silver Whining.

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Drug-Resistant "Superbug" Hits U.S.

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Gipponsorrhil says:

September 23, 2010

The problem isn't with filthy hospitals. As a matter of fact, it's a Darwinian world, so killing off germs is why we have superbugs to begin with. MRSA is with us to stay, and though it may be scary, simple handwashing is greatly effective. The problem is that it's easy to forget to wash your hands when you're really busy, and medicine has been under tremendous pressure to be "efficient" and "cost-conscious" for decades, and where both of those are laudable goals, they don't take into account that medicine is a very personal, one-on-one experience at its core.
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j_bdean says:

September 22, 2010

"And frankly, if your kids are playing in sewage, I'm guessing you're probably not on family.com looking for parenting advice." ROTFLMBO That was the funniest line I think I've read in AGES! Thanks for the laugh and thanks for hosing down my fears on the new flu virus!! :D

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Drug-Resistant "Superbug" Hits U.S.

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