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NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Atlanta, GA, United States, 2009/03/05 - Dr. Martin Belson appeared on CNN to help raise awareness of the dangers of MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant form of staph.
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Recent studies show that MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a form of staph that is resistant to antibiotics, is becoming more prevalent. A study published in the January issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery revealed a 16 percent increase, over a span of six years, in pediatric MRSA infections affecting the head and neck. A study, appearing in the October edition of Pediatrics, suggests that the dangerous combination of flu and MRSA is also on the rise.
Dr. Martin Belson, a practicing pediatric emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist with Pediatric Emergency Medicine Associates at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, recently appeared on a CNN segment about MRSA to help raise awareness of the infection and to provide tips to help prevent it.
“MRSA infections were known for occurring among patients with weakened immune systems who were residing in hospitals and healthcare facilities. But now, we are seeing more community-acquired cases of MRSA crop up,” said Dr. Belson.
According to Dr. Belson, some staph infections are minor and can often be treated with a thorough cleaning, bandaging and dose of oral antibiotics or antibiotic ointments. However, MRSA is becoming resistant to current antibiotics, such as methicillin, penicillin and amoxicillin, so doctors are forced to find new antibiotics and medications to treat MRSA.
“Parents need to remind their children to wash their hands often. It is also important that all cuts and scrapes are covered with a bandage,” said Dr. Belson. “Kids also need to be taught not to share towels and other personal items that might transfer a staph infection.”
About Kid Emergencies.com
Kid Emergencies.com was developed by Dr. Martin “Marty” Belson to provide a free resource to help parents keep their kids safe and healthy. Dr. Belson is a practicing pediatric emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist with Pediatric Emergency Medicine Associates at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. Kid Emergencies.com offers information about childhood emergencies, such as infectious diseases, injuries, chronic illnesses (e.g., asthma) and poisonings. The site is the winner of an iParenting Media Award for the Greatest Products of 2007.
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