super bugs

by POPSUGAR Fitness

The idea of super bugs is a scary but inevitable truth. That being the case and keeping in mind that one of our defenses against such bugs is washing our hands and bodies, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you to wipe down your gym equipment before and after using it. This is not only common courtesy, but good hygiene too.

I will say that I have noticed a lot more folks at my gym taking the time to wipe the machines down after using them, but the majority still does not. I like to give the equipment a good wipe down before I use it and then when I am done I wipe it down with a new cloth. If your gym does not offer wipes, put in a request with the manager that they do so. Not only will this help fight super bugs, it will help fight common bugs too – like the ones that cause the common cold.

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by POPSUGAR Fitness

A super bug with a super long name is getting a lot of press lately. Necessary press too, I think. I am not talking about a six legged creature that crawls on your skin. No, I am talking about a strain of staph bacteria that are incredibly resistant to antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (that is the super long name), but referred to as MRSA, has caused more deaths each year in the US than AIDS.

MRSA was believed to be prevalent only in hospitals and nursing homes, but after a high school football player recently contracted the deadly strain of bacteria, investigations have found it at day care centers, gyms, and lockers rooms. The major culprit behind the spread of the MRSA is hygiene! The bacteria are easily thwarted by hand washing and proper hygiene. Although this strain of staph does not respond to penicillin or related antibiotics (it can be treated with other drugs), when on the surface of the skin or in the nose it is fairly harmless. It is when the bacteria enters the blood stream through an open wound that the infection can become deadly.

Since MRSA is actually fairly common, high school athletes are being told to wash their uniforms regularly, not to share uniforms and to shower. These measures should help prevent the bacteria spreading from athlete to athlete.

Over 85% of MRSA infections occur in medical settings, and hand washing standards will need to be increased to help keep the bacteria contained. I still think that 15% of the infections coming from outside medical facilities is way too high. I also think that 19,000 annual deaths are way too many. Hopefully, some new antibiotics will be coming our way soon to deal with these ever evolving super bugs!

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