HUTCHINSON ISLAND, Florida/October 6, 2008 - Physicians Immediate Care, one of the region's premier providers of ambulatory and urgent health care, is urging residents to take precautions against MRSA - methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus - a type of staph that is highly resistant to certain antibiotics, making treatment difficult. While staphylococcus aureaus, or staph, is a common bacteria found on healthy people, MRSA can be more serious to the point of being fatal.

"Over the past five years since our clinics opened, we have seen multiple cases of MRSA among the general population," said Kenneth Palestrant, M.D., founder of Physicians Immediate Care. "At one time, MRSA was confined to those in the healthcare industry. There is concern that MRSA may spread through the general population," added Palestrant.

The first episode of MRSA occurred in the United States in 1968, and was limited to hospitalized patients. From 1974 to 1997, the number of cases in hospitalized patients increased more than 35 percent. Now a red flag has been raised with increasing reports of "community-acquired" MRSA infections.

Staph can be transmitted person-to-person via hand contact, through nasal discharge,

and from infected skin lesions. With this in mind, Physicians Immediate Care reminds

residents that there are a number of things that they can do to help protect themselves from accidentally contracting MRSA. They offer these tips:

Wash hands frequently and thoroughly.

Keep cuts bandaged and covered until they are healed.

Avoid contact with other people's wounds.

Don't share personal items, such as towels or razors.

"Your best defense is good hygiene," said Dr. Palestrant. "However, if an abscess or boil gets infected and needs to be drained, visit a healthcare provider." If the infection doesn't get better in a few days, Physicians Immediate Care urges you to seek follow-up medical assistance.

Physicians Immediate Care measures its success through patient satisfaction and extraordinary care. Physicians Immediate Care also offers employers professional services for workers compensation, routine exams, and drug testing. Physicians Immediate Care provides a convenient, cost effective alternative to emergency rooms and doctor's offices from their original facilities at 1900 SE Port Saint Lucie Boulevard and at 4007 SW Port Saint Lucie Boulevard in the PaarCenter. For additional information call (772) 398-1588 or (772) 343-1774, or visit their website at www.immedcare.com.

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