Importance of MRSA and the Role of the Media

Abstract

Mass media play a crucial role in shaping citizens’ opinions and attitudes. When reporting public health risks to the general reader, mass-media try to translate expert knowledge in a clear and understandable way [1]. It is important to improve a strategic communication about clinical topics, for improve a new culture of “public health”. The aims of this work is to underline the importance of clinical implications of antimicrobial resistance for therapy, and the “Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus” (MRSA) in the media. Each year in the United States, at least 2 million people acquire serious infections with bacteria that are resistant to one or more of the antibiotics designed to treat those infections. At least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these antibiotic-resistant infections. Many more die from other conditions that were complicated by an antibioticresistant infection [2]. The Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA): a particular type of bacteria that has become resistant to a specific group of antibiotics called betalectams, including penicillin, amoxicillin, oxicillin, and others [3]. MRSA causes a range of illnesses, from skin and wound infections to pneumonia and bloodstream infections that can cause sepsis and death [2]. Anyone can get a staph/ MRSA infection [4]. Doctors have been seeing an increasing number of patients with skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aurea (‘staph’) bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics. There have been an increasing number of reports of MRSA from local and regional health departments, physicians, the public, schools, and daycare facilities [3]. CDC estimates 80,461 invasive MRSA infections and 11,285 related deaths occurred in 2011. An unknown but much higher number of less severe infections occurred in both the community and in healthcare settings [2]. Staphylococcus aureus infections represent one of the most significant chapters in the field of infectious diseases related to health practices, they have a significant impact in terms of morbidity, increased length of hospital stay and costs associated with care. Although someone may be infected with MRSA, they may not develop any signs or symptoms of the infection for up to 10 days. The infections are more common in people with a weakened immune system, but infections can also occur in healthy people who have not recently been in the hospital. Most of these MRSA infections are on the skin or less commonly lung infections. People who may be at risk are: Athletes and other people who may share items such as towels or razors, Children in day-care, People who have gotten tattoo [5]. Once colonized with MRSA, a person can remain a carrier of the bacteria from a few days or weeks, up to several years. During this time period, people colonized with MRSA are not only at an increased risk for infecting others, but also themselves. Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013 is a snapshot of the complex problem of antibiotic resistance today and the potentially catastrophic consequences of inaction [2]. The prevention of these events is a crucial moment in the operations of those who are interested in these fields. The mass media need to give a right culture regarding this important topic, in the persuasive way. The wise antibiotic use is very important and the media need to promote with doctors and with specialist journalists.