MRSA Bacteria Can Now Be Killed With Interior Wall Paint
The deadly MRSA bacteria, which is resistant to many antibiotics, can now be killed with simple interior wall paint. Sherwin-Williams’ new Paint Shield is the first EPA-registered interior microbicidal paint that kills 99.9 percent of MRSA bacteria. Moreover, it continues to kill over 90% of bacteria for up to four years.
Developed for healthcare environments such as hospitals and nursing homes, this is an outstanding achievement.
Bacteria MRSA
MRSA: What Is It?
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a strain of bacteria that causes infections in different parts of the body, including the skin and lungs. Called a “superbug” because it does not respond to many antibiotics, it can be life threatening.
Skin Infections
MRSA infections can appear as a small red bump, pimple, or boil. Most of these infections are mild, but they can change, becoming deeper and more serious. Bug bites, rashes, and other skin problems are sometimes confused with MRSA due to similar symptoms. ER doctors often ask patients who think they have a spider bite whether they saw the spider. These “bites” may turn out to be infection. When a skin infection spreads or doesn’t improve after 2-3 days on usual antibiotics, call your doctor.
MRSA Skin Infection: Cellulitis
MRSA can also lead to cellulitis, an infection of the deeper layers of skin and the tissues beneath them. Cellulitis can spread quickly over a few hours. The skin looks pink or red, like a sunburn, and may be warm, tender, and swollen. Get on antibiotics immediately as cellulitis is life threatening.
How Do People Catch It?
This infection is spread by touching an infected person or exposed item when you have an open cut or scrape. Poor hygiene, such as sharing razors, towels, or athletic gear can also be to blame. Two in 100 people carry the bacteria on their bodies, but usually don’t get sick.
Who Is Most Susceptible?
People who’ve had recent surgery or a hospital stay are more likely to get MRSA. It’s also seen in older people, those living in nursing homes, and people with weakened immune systems. A chronic disease like diabetes, cancer, or HIV raises your chances of coming down with this very stubborn staph infection.
How Safe Are Hospitals?
Hospitals are the main sources of this infection due to the high traffic of ill or wounded patients. They’re working to curb the problem. Efforts include screening patients for MRSA, good hand hygiene, and wearing gloves. Infections are down 50% in health care settings.
Do Healthy People Get It?
Yes. Infections are showing up more in people outside of hospitals such as schools, gyms, and day care centers.
Current Treatments
Oral antibiotics can treat it, but because it doesn’t respond to many common drugs like methicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin, oxacillin, and cephalorsporins, your doctor may use clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or linezolid. Invasive infection is often treated with Vancomycin. If you suspect you might have it, get immediate treatment.
Conclusion
MRSA is a tough and intractable bacteria that is immune to several antibiotics. Left untreated or treated too late, it is deadly. Sherwin-Williams’ new Paint Shield interior wall paint developed for healthcare facilities, is a welcome and effective weapon against it.