Things to Know About MRSA [View all]

[LuvNewcastle]

First, for those of you who don't know, MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It's a staph bacteria that has become resistant to the antibiotics that are commonly used to treat staph infections.

Here on the Mississippi Gulf coast we have had several people diagnosed with MRSA, and amputations of limbs or other body parts have occurred. People with friends who are doctors and nurses are telling their friends and family to stay out of the Gulf of Mexico, especially if you have any kind of cut on your body. That goes for fishermen, boaters, or swimmers.

The warning about MRSA includes all of the Gulf of Mexico, too. It's just as dangerous to go to Texas or Florida. I think this has been largely kept quiet so the tourists don't get spooked, but everyone deserves to know the truth about what they're getting into.

I think the media and government have left this issue alone for the sake of tourism and other related industries. That, to me, is totally irresponsible. If you come down to the Gulf Coast, don't get in that water. I wouldn't take that risk and neither should you.