The Arizona Daily Star reports that a University of Arizona researcher has tested the levels of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) on steering wheels and seat belt buckes. Jonathan Sexton discovered the bug on 32.4 percent of these automotive surfaces; nine percent of the microbes were methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. In comparison, Sexton discovered just 6.3 percent of public restrooms harbored S. aureus and MRSA. Just in case you're wondering, "Staphylococcus aureus is commonly found on the skin and in the noses of healthy individuals. It may cause infections with symptoms ranging from pimples, boils and other skin conditions to life-threatening pneumonias and blood stream infections." To wit: a eighteen-year-old Virginia girl died of MRSA on Monday. We recommend some anti-bacterial wipes and a bottle of Purcel the next time you rent a car.
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There's interesting data about how much more seriously MRSA is taken in Europe vs. USA, that here it's considered yet another cost of health care. Not only do they have a better Ford Focus, they're doing it right. There, address MRSA much more aggressively in hospitals, isolating infected individuals, banning neckties and white coats in hospitals, etc. http://www.slate.com/id/2152118/ Community acquired MRSA is the latest worry, previously publicized by whole sports teams becoming carriers due to cuts/abrasions, shared equipment, locker rooms. Steering wheels? probably lower on the list of things to worry about, but as you said, good idea to sanitize between turns at Driver's Ed.
So, how long before we’re all trapped in our houses, wrapped in toilet paper and saving our pee in milk jars?
This germ-phopbia is getting a bit out of hand.
–chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org
chuckgoolsbee :
October 19th, 2007 at 11:46 am
“So, how long before we’re all trapped in our houses, wrapped in toilet paper and saving our pee in milk jars?”
November.
This germ-phopbia is getting a bit out of hand.
MRSA is hardly a trivial problem and given the ubiquity of staphylococcus, the prevalence of MRSA is likely to get worse before it gets better.
Remember when hospitals were horrible places where people went to die, because there were no effective antibiotics? Yes, that could be our future.
To nicknick:
Thanks for the belly laugh!!
On the other hand, you’re probably right.
Look at it as a form of population control. Survival of the fittest. Less drivers on the road means, less pollution means, lower gas consumption means, lower gas prices means, more SUVs means, GM and FORD are safe. See it’s clearly a domestic automaker conspiracy.
Rallybred:
By that logic, Hitler was a thorough environmentalist…which is why so many automakers supported him?
That was not intended to sound mean-spirited. I just thought it was interesting.
Driving gloves, goggles, and high-ankled boots may be making a comeback.
Such reactions!!! All you have to do is run a handi-wipe around the steering wheel and gearshift knob and you’re fine.
# Kevin Kluttz :
On the other hand, you’re probably right.
On the other hand, you have different fingers :P
# franz :
Driving gloves, goggles, and high-ankled boots may be making a comeback.
That just shifts the problem elsewhere
Forget handi-wipes. What we really need is disposable cars. And guess who’s already building them.
See, everything is going to work out.