Naked Science: Infectious Hospitals

It’s been the summer of the “superbug” MRSA. Is this the beginning of an epidemic? How many lives are at risk and how can we tackle it? Join experts from London to discuss how we defeat the bug.

'HOSPITAL TERROR OF 8 TIMES MRSA GRAN', 'FIGHT SUPERBUG OR LOSE HOSPITAL STAR' and 'MRSA SUPERBUGS FOUND ON PETS'

These are just some of the recent newspaper headlines about MRSA. But what lies behind the news stories?

MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is one example of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This means that normal antibiotics aren't powerful enough to kill the bacteria. The most common way MRSA infection spreads is through human contact. If MRSA infects your bloodstream it can lead to serious illness and death.

MRSA is found in lots of places, but recent scare stories have focused on its appearance in hospitals. One reason hospitals are MRSA hot spots is because advances in modern medicine mean patients can be kept alive for longer by carrying out more invasive procedures, making patients more susceptible to infections which are difficult to control. London has been hit especially hard because of the number of specialist hospitals with very sick patients.

Fewer antibiotics are able to tackle MRSA, compared with other bacteria, so what alternatives are there? Proposed solutions include ensuring wards are kept cleaner, isolating patients and further research into new antibiotics. But experts can't agree what has the best chance of outwitting the bacteria.

Join in an open discussion with leading experts from London about how hospitals in the capital can fight the infection.

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