Don't forget TB ! That's been on the up for several years and a BBC programme some time ago blamed the increase squarely on overcrowding.
I can't remember the figure, but a very high percentage of people are carrying the MRSA bug around on their skin - or up their noses - and suffer no ill effects, untill they have surgery. An even higher percentage of us are carrying the non-resistant form, which apparently dissapears after a few days / weeks.
A few months ago I was asked by two nurses if the plastic aprons, gloves, masks and caps they were wearing were suitable protection from a confirmed MRSA carrying patient who was coming into their department for a scan. I said that I thought it was OK - except that they still had their uniforms on underneath.
They hit me ! !
