PULSE Magazine | January 2019 Issue PE

Symptoms Flu symptoms can last anywhere from two to seven days, but four to five days is the usual time frame. Symptoms can include a combination of the following:

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Fever

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Cough

Body aches

Runny or stuffy nose Itchy/watery eyes

Extreme fatigue

Headache

Sore throat

How Does The Flu Spread? The flu is spread from person to person by droplets in the air, caused when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk. The flu can also be transmitted when a person touches an object infected with the influenza virus and then touches their mouth or nose. The flu is one of the most easily transmit- ted diseases with 5-20% of the US population contracting it each year. Recent Occurrences of the Influenza Virus The death toll of the 2017/18 flu season bypassed the 2009 swine flu epidemic, which infected 60.8 million Americans, hospitalized 274,304, and killed more than 12,000. According to the CDC, hospitalizations for the 2017/18 flu season exceeded the 710,000 of the 2014/15 season, which had the highest rates of hospitalizations for people aged 65 and older. How Deadly is The Influenza A Virus? Influenza is extremely complex and difficult to predict, which is why it remains one of the greatest challenges to international public health. While most people recover from the flu with no lasting effects, many have a higher risk of developing additional complications such as pneumonia, either due to a weakened immune system or underlying conditions. Young children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions (such as asthma or heart disease) are at higher risk for serious flu complications. 3. MRSA Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), is known as the ‘superbug’ as well as ‘flesh-eating disease’. Caused by a particular type of Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria, MRSA is resistant to many commonly-used antibiotics. MRSA can start as a simple skin infection, but if the infection is left untreat- ed (or forms deeper into the body) it can cause severe pain, infections in the organs, and even death. What Are the Symptoms of MRSA? At first, MRSA appears like any other skin infection, with small red bumps, pimples, or boils that may be swollen, tender, or warm to the touch. As the infection progresses, these can turn into painful, pus-filled abscesses. The skin infection may also be accompanied by fever. If the infection enters the body through broken skin or a cut, more serious conditions may develop such as:

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Septicemia (blood poisoning)

 Urinary tract infection (bladder infection)

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Pneumonia (lung infection)

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Osteomyelitis (bone infection)

 Septic bursitis (small fluid-filled sacs under the skin)

 Endocarditis (heart valve infection)

How is MRSA Spread? MRSA is a highly-contagious bacteria spread by either touching a person who has it on their skin, or by touching objects that have the bacteria on them. MRSA not only spreads from person to person, but the bacteria can live up to 6 months on some surfaces. Although the bacteria can be found anywhere, it is most commonly found in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Approximately one in three (33%) people carry the staph bacteria usually without any major infection. Only 2% of the population carry the MRSA version of staph bacteria. However, even with the ‘safe’ staph, the bacteria multiplies at an alarming rate, and it takes only one mutated cell to allow the infection the ability to withstand antibiotics. How Deadly is MRSA? The CDC estimates that in the US there are at least two million illnesses and 23,000 deaths caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year. Their study examined 699 patients with MRSA. Out of the 699, 31.5% died, with the elderly most at-risk.

Like influenza A, MRSA is constantly evolving and becoming resistant to more antibiotics.

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