May 20, 2013
Officials say 99,000 deaths a year from bacterial infection is serious when many of those cases are preventable. One local expert tells us bacteria such as staph can be fatal if not handled properly.
Homer Rice, with the Leon County Health Department said, "Staphlyloccocus is on your skin. When you have a cut on your skin, many times when you get a little infection on your skin, that's because you've opened up an area for the staph on your skin to get into the cut. So you carry staph with you."
A few groups have organized to prevent these infections. They have come up with recommendations to empower patients. First, they recommended that parents to bring their own toys to the pediatrician because the others that are for public use are covered in bacteria.
If you are going into surgery, studies show staying warm helps fight infection. They recommend heating up your car on the way to the hospital and keeping blankets on you.
Also, ask your doctor to wash his or her hands in front of you so you know they're clean. Ask where needles come from as well as medication.
And finally, if you're having surgery, ask your doctor all the things you can possibly do to prevent infection.
Source: CNN
