12 August 2010

Not what I want to read a day before an operation!

The BBC reports that a new superbug has entered UK hospitals. The bug is resistant to even the strongest antibiotics.

Bacteria that make an enzyme called NDM-1 have travelled back with patients who went abroad to countries like India and Pakistan for treatments such as cosmetic surgery. Although there have only been about 50 cases identified in the UK so far, scientists fear it will go global.

NDM-1 can exist inside different bacteria, like E.coli, and it makes them resistant to one of the most powerful groups of antibiotics – carbapenems which are generally reserved for use in emergencies and to combat hard-to-treat infections caused by other multi-resistant bacteria. Experts fear NDM-1 could now jump to other strains of bacteria that are already resistant to many other antibiotics. Similar infections have been seen in the US, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands and international researchers say that NDM-1 could become a major global health problem.

Aargh! Why did I read this a day before my knee op!!!!!!! On a more serious note it is a stark example of natural selection in action

20 comments:

Ruth said...

I read about this yesterday. It is a really serious problem.
It seems to be mainly associated with people going to the Indian subcontinent for cosmetic surgery! Why would anyone do that????!!!!
Cosmetic surgery is bad enough but to travel to India or Pakistan for it - therapy is what is required not surgery!
Good luck with the knee op. I'm assuming it's not to make your knee look prettier, so I'm sure you'll be fine ;-)

beakerkin said...

You will be fine and knee surgeries do not involve blood exchanges. of course you will be vulnerable to the mischief of Ted.

Dragonstar said...

Not a happy thought Jams. All the best with your knee op. I hope you regain full and painless movement after it.

nursemyra said...

good luck with your knee xx

jams o donnell said...

Thanks.. I am not actually scared of this bug but it is a grim one, especially if it passes the genes on to other bugs.. THen it could be a bad situation

Thanks for all your kind thoughs,, I'm sure that Ted will keep me "occupied"

JD said...

is it too late to change your hospital for one in Newcastle?
If you say you are worried about the bug they will reply "wey man, nee bother like, man!"

seriously, don't worry about catching this bug, just use your inagination to kill it by thinking "pity the bug that catches a man"

:)

jams o donnell said...

And if that don't work A'll bray tha little bastards!

Thanks JD

James Higham said...

Tell us how the op goes.

jams o donnell said...

I certainly will!

CherryPie said...

Good luck with the op!

Sergeant Pluck said...

As long as you are not superstitious and thus do not suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia, there is no need to worry.
Friday the 13th is a lucky day, you know.

Sean Jeating said...

My thoughts will be with you and your knee, Jams. All the best, my friend.

Claude said...

All the best, Jams. No bugs could get you...Show us a before-and-after knee photo.

Traveling Bells said...

Oh dear!!! Hope all is well...

jams o donnell said...

Thanks everyone. THe op seems to have gone well.. It aches a bit although that is no big surprise!

Sean Jeating said...

Good news, Jams!!
Hope Ted will anticipate your's every wish for the time being.

Stan said...

Best of luck, Jams. Put all thoughts of germs out of your mind.

jams o donnell said...

Haha Sean, Ted has been assiduous in ignoring me... (gives thanks!)

Thanks Stan.. I'm fine I'm glad to say. Will be a while before I can get about properly though

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Argh... this calls for urgent measures re cosmetic surgery, may it be damned.

jams o donnell said...

Ach it's fine when it;s for reconstructive purposes but most plastic surgery is a waste of time