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Date: Mon, 18 Nov 1996 16:20:10 -0800
From: Kimberly Elms <[log in to unmask]>
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Organization: Arizona State University
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Subject: Resistant bacteria, E.coli & meningitis
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I will try not to get into too much detail, but this is one of my
favorites so bear with me.
First of all, E. coli is an opportunistic bacteria that usually infects
the intestinal and urinary tracts. It is a common nosocomial infection.
Under normal circumstances, it is a self-limiting disease and is rarely
fatal except in infants and the immuno-compromised.  After some
discussion with a well trusted professor of mine, the conclusion was
this: If the mother is being treated with antibiotic(s) that are
contraindicated when nursing, then don't BF. If the infection is in the
blood stream, don't BF (but she'd probably be too sick, anyway). Other
than that, extra care regarding personal hygiene would eliminate
transmission from mom to baby.  Colostrum is protective against some
enteric pathogens, as is breastmilk. I don't know if colostrum prevents
meningitis, but it may restrict infections to such a degree that they
don't develop into meningitis.
Staphylococcus aureus is frequently found in our nasal cavities and is
usually harmless. Interestingly, the origin of this vancomycin
resistance was traced back to our beloved nurses. When a nurse giving an
injection of vancomycin would push the plunger of the syringe up to
purge the air, an aerosol of vancomycin would puff out. The S.aureus in
her/his nasal cavity would be exposed to the antibiotic (sometimes
several times a day) and eventually would develop resistance. Here it
lives happily until a more favorable environment inevitably comes.
Again, if mom is taking drugs that aren't BF friendly or is septicemic,
BF wouldn't be recommended.

------------------------------
Kimberly Elms
Arizona State University
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------------------------------
A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was,
the sort of house I lived in or the kind of car I drove...
But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a
child.