Register NOW and be part of American Health's huge ELF Project.Training Starts Sept 21. 

Application info.

Master ELF at 561-361-9091

Patients recently discharged from the hospital frequently carry methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with them from the hospital into their households. Although other household members may be colonized with the bacteria as a result, healthy household members do not appear likely to develop infections.

MRSA is common in hospitals in most countries, and as the incidence of infection increases, new patterns of spread are emerging, according to the authors. "Thus, in the last decade, community-acquired MRSA strains have caused hospital outbreaks and sometimes replaced older strains previously responsible for hospital-acquired MRSA infections," the authors wrote. "Conversely, hospital-acquired MRSA strains can spread outside the health care system."

Jean-Christophe Lucet, M.D., Ph.D., of Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, France, and colleagues studied 1,501 adult patients in French hospitals who, in 2003 and 2004, were screened for MRSA before discharge to home health care. Patients were followed and screened for clearance of MRSA every three months for one year, and household contacts were also screened for presence of the organism.

MRSA was identified in 191 of the 1,501 patients before discharge from the hospital to home health care. Of the 148 who were followed up, 75 were found to have cleared the organism within one year. Patients who were more self-sufficient in daily activities appeared more likely to experience clearance of MRSA.

The 191 patients with MRSA had 188 household contacts who participated in the study. Of these, 36 acquired MRSA, although none developed an infection. Household contacts who were older and who played a role in providing health care for the patient appeared more likely to be colonized with MRSA. "Sharing the same bed or bedroom, in contrast, was not associated with MRSA transmission," the authors wrote. "Thus, MRSA may be preferentially transmitted to contacts who are at high risk for hand contamination during care procedures."

Because none of the household contacts who acquired MRSA developed an infection, it is unclear whether this transmission represents a serious public health problem, the authors note. However, to prevent spread of the organism, the authors suggested, "household contacts should apply infection control measures similar to those recommended in the hospital setting."

SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, August 10/24, 2009

 

Harvard researchers praise stunningly simple discovery!

According to recent estimates, nearly 1-in-3 American adults has high blood pressure. But for the Kuna Indians living on a group of islands off the Caribbean coast of Panama, hypertension doesn't even exist. In fact, after age 60, the average blood pressure for Kuna Indian islanders is a perfect 110/70.

 

Is it because they eat less salt? No. Kuna Indians eat as much, if not more salt, than people in the U.S.
Is it due to their genes? No. Kuna Indians who move away from the islands are just as likely to suffer from high blood pressure as anyone else!

So what makes these folks practically "immune" to hypertension-and lets them enjoy much lower death rates from heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and cancer?
Harvard researchers were stunned to discover it's because they drink about 5 cups of cocoa each day. That's right, cocoa!

Studies show the flavonols in cocoa stimulate your body's production of nitric oxide-boosting blood flow to your heart, brain, and other organs. In fact, one study found cocoa thins your blood just as well as low-dose aspirin!
But that's not all. A Harvard Medical School professor claims cocoa can also treat blocked arteries, congestive heart failure, stroke, dementia, even impotence!

Brainastic Project

with Neil Lavikoff is its facilitator.

 

For beginners, intermediate and advance players at

1501 NW Spanish River Blvd, Boca Raton 561 301 2760

 

 

Sponsored by American Health