Eastern Mountains Young Marines

 

24 July 2010

 

Our world is full of microorganisms, mostly bacteria and viruses. They cover our skin, surfaces we touch, we breath them in, and we even eat a few. Staphlococcus aures (Staph) is one of the more common species of bacteria that resides on our skin and in our noses, and is one of the hardest to kill.

Although more commonly found on our skin and in our nose, Staph can be found in other places such as the kidneys or brain. Staph is found in humans and also on other animals. Staph infections are particularly problematic in health care settings where many patients have these infections and an effort is made to clean and disinfect surfaces, this sometimes kills some strains of bacteria but leaves harder to kill strains with less competition.

 

You have probably heard of MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) a mutant form of staphylococcal bacteria that is resistant to the methicillin family (related to penicillin) of antibiotics. MRSA is easily passed from person to person by skin contact and is hard to kill since it is resistant to most commonly prescribed antibiotics for skin infections.

 

But have you heard of VISA and VRSA? No, they are not two types of credit cards, in this case. These two new mutant forms of Staphlococcus aureus are very similar to MRSA, but instead of being resistant to the methicillin antibiotics they are resistant to vancomycin. Vancomycin is one of the “big gun” antibiotics of last resort used by doctors for bacterial infections like Staphlococcus. The name VRSA stands for Vancomycin Resistant Staphlococcus aureus, while VISA stands for Vancomycin Intermediate Staphlococcus aureus. Strains of VRSA are pretty much completely resistant o vancomycin, while VISA strains are partially resistant to vancomycin.

 

What do MRSA, VISA, and VRAS Infections look like? Pretty much like normal Staph infections. Boils, infected pimples, spreading redness, or open sores are signs to seek medical attention. For an interesting activity do a Google search on the internet for pictures of Staph infections like MRSA, VISA, and VRSA. The biggest threats that Staph infections pose is if a patient gets them that is already weakened by wounds, other diseases, surgery, or a weakened immune system. Of course, big danger with any of these infections is if the bacteria are able to spread into the blood and travel throughout the body. At this point the infection becomes life threatening.

 

What can family members do to prevent exposure if someone in their family has VISA or VRSA? Wash hands with soap and warm water or other hospital provided soap/sanitizer, avoid touching wounds, or material contaminated by them. Help your family member keep their wound covered by a four sided adhesive bandage. Because of the potential exposure to others with VRSA, hospitals are more commonly sites where this infection is spread. All though VISA and VRSA are resistant to on of our strongest antibiotics, there still are other FDA approved drugs that can be successfully used to treat them.

 

Keep clean, keep healthy, be careful not to expose yourself to sores on other people, and you will have little to worry about from VISA or VRSA.

 

 

 

New, simpler CPR method please watch !!!!

 

This is a very important video regarding the latest CPR procedure that
requires no certification or lengthy training.

Please watch and forward to your friends and family if you haven't already done so.  You never know, a life may be saved utilizing this new procedure.

http://tinyurl.com/2fx8r59

 

 

 

*Phenibut Update*

(*From Medtox Newsletter)* We've previously reported on widespread use of a non-controlled sedative called *Phenibut.* The drug has been sold and traded on the Internet below the radar of law enforcement and regulatory authorities. Up to now, most U.S. phenibut has been sourced from the U.K. and Europe. But recently, an "over-the-counter" Internet marketed product containing phenibut has surfaced in America.

Called *"Tranquila PM,"* this compound contains 350 mg of 4-amino,
3-phenylbutyric acid (Phenibut) and an array of vitamins and herbs. The product is packed into a small 2 fl. oz., one-shot plastic bottle that's designed for fast, no-hassle ingestion. Tranquila PM's marketing message states that the drug is a worthy alternative to traditional prescriptions and over-the-counter sleep aids. One online purveyor of Tranquila PM asserts that a single dose of the drug brings about a "general relaxation effect that leads to a sound and restful sleep." (http://www.tranquila.com/)

Phenibut is a chemical relative of the inhibitory amino acid transmitter, GABA. The drug possesses some of the sedative powers of *gabapentin (Neurontin),* *Baclofen *and *gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB).* Its effects are mediated through its agonist actions at GABAB receptors; the drug exerts less of an effect at GABAA receptors. In some Internet drug cafes, phenibut is advocated as a means of weaning off of powerful drugs such as GHB and GBL. It's also advocated for those that want to avoid the withdrawals from
other depressant drugs, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines. The drug is also alleged to be an aphrodisiac. In its early development stages, the drug was also thought to be nootropic (a memory enhancer). In fact, modern phenibut aficionados tout it as a "smart drug," something akin to the prescription drug* Provigil* and several other substances thought to be cognitive accelerants. The Russian space program even packed phenibut into the medicine chests of the Soyuz spacecraft.

Phenibut is not known to cross-react or otherwise interfere with modern drug test systems. Someone who uses phenibut products will not yield a positive drug test for a controlled substance. But phenibut does pose challenges to readers who work in the drug rehabilitation industry. For patients in recovery, phenibut poses risks. In particular, patients with alcohol and central nervous system depressant addictions may get undesirable drug cravings from the sedating and euphoric effects of phenibut. For others working in residential programs and sober living homes, phenibut use by
participants could threaten the safety and security of the house. Chronic phenibut use can lead to tolerance. There have been reports of withdrawal following extended periods of use. Tranquila PM contains a warning to users that following two weeks of continuous use of the drug, a 5-7 day drug holiday should be taken. That admonishment from a phenibut distributor sums up the dangers that a drug like phenibut poses to people in recovery and the people and programs that support them.

 

 

2 Sept 2010