While the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is not yet sure exactly what is causing a deadly new superbug, the director of the CDC, Dr. Tom Frieden, did say during a press briefing on March 5th, “It’s not often that our scientists come to me to say that we have a very serious problem and we need to sound an alarm. But that’s exactly what we’re doing today.”

It’s CRE (carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae) and Frieden called it a “nightmare bacteria,” and referred to it as a “triple threat” for the following reasons. (1) CRE are resistant to virtually all antibiotics, including the antibiotics used by doctors as a last-chance option. (2) These superbugs can transfer their invincibility to other bacteria. “The mechanism of resistance to antibiotics not only works for one bacteria, but can be spread to others,” Frieden explained. (3) The bacteria can prove deadly. Infections with CRE bacteria “have a fatality rate as high as 50 percent,” said Frieden.

During 2011, a strain of the CRE superbug killed seven patients at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland; however, information on the deaths was not made public until 2012.

Following those deaths, the CDC issued guidelines for health care facilities to stop the spread of the bacteria, and dramatic declines in CRE were reported, said Frieden. However, many facilities still have not adopted the recommendations, and the nightmare bacteria continue to spread. If the health care community doesn’t do a better job of containing it, experts say it could advance beyond hospitals and nursing homes, where it has been concentrated so far.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Brad Spellberg, of the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, compared CRE to the Titanic’s ill-fated voyage. “We’re not talking about an iceberg that’s down the line,” Spellberg said. “The ship has hit the iceberg. We’re taking on water. We already have people dying. Not only of CRE, but of untreatable CRE.” Although CRE infections have been seen only in hospitals, so far, the big fear is that it will spread. “If CRE spreads out of hospitals and into communities, that’s when the ship is totally underwater and we all drown,” Spellberg said.

While the symptoms of CRE will vary – depending on what infection is brought on by CRE – the infections caused by CRE include: pneumonia, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, wound infections and meningitis.

As for what you should do to protect yourself… keep yourself healthy. Because the CDC has only been able to determine that CRE infections typically occur in “ill patients, and patients with exposure to acute and long-term care settings,” the best thing you can do is keep yourself
healthy enough to avoid those situations. And, as always, the best way to keep yourself healthy is with: an immune-supportive diet; dietary supplements when needed; plenty of exercise; detoxification; deep, refreshing sleep each night; and a strong sense of purpose in your life.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/cre/cre-patients.html
http://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/cre/cre-patientFAQ.html
http://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/cre/cre-patientgeneral.html
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/05/173526084/infections-with-nightmare-bacteria-are-on-the-rise-in-u-s-hospitals
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/05/3268800/cdc-warns-about-drug-resistant.html#storylink=cpy

11 Comments

  1. marilyn Davis says:

    Some good info here…

  2. Vicki Phillips says:

    Dr. Colbert:

    I am one of your patients with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and Auto Immune Thyroid. I have been on 4 rounds of Z Pack now and do not seem to be getting rid of a constant cough, congestion, diarhea, headaches, dizziness. I did a cleanse from the Brimhall Chiropractor in our area and I became very weak and had a bad stomach virus that lasted 2 weeks. Shortly after I had the congestions. This began 2 weeks before Thanksgiving and I have seen the DO and now finished round 4 of Z Pack and RX Nose Sprays and over the counter sinus medications. After reading this because I have a lowered immune system I am worndering if I need to go in and have some sort of blood work. I think the last time I went to the Dr. that it got worse after sick patients were in the waiting room. What would you recommend that the testing include? We were going to be coming to FL at the end of the month but I am very weak and if not well will not get on a plane.

    Blessings to you! Thank you for this information. This is the first I have heard of this.

  3. Hello Dr Colbert! Wanted to share a few things… Garlic is an infection fighter that at high enough doses seems to be quite effective. I take it and seem to be able to fight a lot of stuff. Wondering about high doses fighting and killing this Bacteria. Like 500 mg. Also Diatomaceous Earth kills bacteria and viruses by cutting into the mucous membrane and the organisms dehydrates and dies. Killed Swine Flu in a second for me I believe. Please pass on this info to those involved in this fight that you know. By the way, DE has no danger of being made resistant by the bug because it kills mechanically. Thanks, Patty

  4. janet says:

    7.3.13
    thank.you.for
    this
    alert can pass your email on

  5. Sandra says:

    Aside from washing our hands prior & after everything like shopping & using bathroom, what supplments should we be taking? I declare no evil will befall me nor any calamity come “into my tent” in Jesus name!!!

  6. linda anderson says:

    What is the recommended dose for DE? I have a head injured daughter on a feeding tube will it work to kill yeast in her gut as we are on the war path with it constantly and she has a colostomy so she is really challenged when it comes to taking in things that can help. I give her many good supplements and oils and live bacteria and electrlytes and all that kind of stuff.

    Thanks
    Linda

  7. Norene says:

    I was sent an article on onions and their effects on the viruses. I have kept an onion next to my bed. There has been a many different viruses in my area. I went to a doctor with my friend and as a joke he asked about the onions. I am thankful to say that I fought off the flu that went through my family. The doctor also agreed that there is something with onions fighting off viruses. Stinky but healthy…lol

  8. prawnicy says:

    hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve certainly picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical points using this site, since I experienced to reload the website many times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for much more of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again soon..

  9. więcej says:

    Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results. If you know of any please share. Thank you!

  10. website says:

    What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely useful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other users like its helped me. Good job.

  11. Latientietima says:

    Children’s tooth development begins while the baby is in the womb. Teething usually occurs between the ages of six and nine months. Children usually have their full set of 20 primary teeth (milk teeth, baby teeth or deciduous teeth) by the age of three years. At about the age of six years, the first permanent teeth erupt (push through the gum).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *