A 'survival kit' for NHS patients to take into hospital to protect them from viruses like MRSA has been produced for consumers.

NHS survival kit goes on sale to protect against hospital bugs like MRSA
Article in the Telegraph

Extract:

"The PatientPak contains wipes and sprays which kill MRSA, e-coli, norovirus, capylobactor, salmonella, listeria and even bird flu within 10 seconds.

The pack, which costs £15.99 and is available in high streets, includes anti-bacterial surface wipes, hand wipes, hair and body wash and a fabric spray for sanitising bedsheets and curtains.

The product has been launched amid growing concern amongst patients to protect themselves while in hospital.

PatientPak uses products containing Clinell, known for killing infections. However, the formula cannot kill C.diff - which can only be tackled with skin-toxic sporicide - but the pack contains soap and nail brushes to encourage people to clean hands."

Sounds a good idea.

Anti-bacterial soap and 'superbugs'

Anti-bacterial soap 'helps superbugs' - Telegraph

Extract:

"Expensive anti-bacterial washes are no better at cleaning hands than ordinary soap and may actually encourage superbugs, scientists have warned.

A team in America has carried out the first known comprehensive analysis of whether anti-bacterial soap works better than plain soap.

Allison Aiello of the University of Michigan School of Public Health and her team found that washing hands with an anti-bacterial soap was no more effective in preventing infectious illness than plain soap and did not clear dangerous bugs such as E. coli.

They found that because of the way triclosan, the main active ingredient in many antibacterial soaps, reacts in the cells, it may cause some bacteria to become resistant to commonly used antibiotics such as amoxicillin.

Resistance to common anti-biotics is the key feature of superbugs, such as MRSA, which kill around 5,000 people in hospital every year. The team found that some strains of E. coli developed drug resistance when exposed to triclosan soap."

Exposure to low doses of tea tree oil causes pathogens like MRSA, E-coli and salmonella to become more resistant to antibiotics: University of Ulster

Scientists: Tea tree oil users risk superbug infections

Extract:

"Tea tree oil, commonly found in beauty and health products, could raise users' chances of contracting superbug infections, it has emerged.

Repeated exposure to low doses of the oil causes pathogens such as MRSA, Ecoli and salmonella to become more resistant to antibiotics, according to research from the University of Ulster."