Man critical with drug-resistant infection

June 21, 2011

A 71-year-old man is in critical condition, infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
 
The Centre for Health Protection said today the patient, who has underlying medical conditions and lives alone, had shortness of breath on June 9, and developed abdominal and back pain on June 12. He was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and diagnosed with pneumonia and septicaemia.
 
The bacteria is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics and is a common infection worldwide.
 
Indiscriminate use of antibiotics can contribute to antibiotics resistance.