Dangerous infections increasing among cancer patients | Orlando Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A new survey announced today shows that one quarter of this country's cancer patients contract an infection during treatment. Even more troubling is that 96 percent of infectious disease experts and 79 percent of cancer specialists report increases of one of the most dangerous types of infection: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

MRSA is resistant to some of the strongest antibiotics and chemotherapy patients are at very high risk to contract it due to their compromised immune systems. Not only does cancer weaken the immune system, but chemotherapy also further reduces it by destroying infection-fighting white blood cells. One cancer patient dies every two hours from insufficient white blood cell count.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are caused by the overuse of antibiotics and failing to complete a full cycle of antibiotics. The next time your doctor mentions antibiotics, ask him or her about other options. If you do take them, make sure you complete the entire cycle.

Learn how to check your hospital's infection rate at this Florida Medical Malpractice Lawyer blog post.