The superbug found in Lafayette hospitals

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Sometimes an infection can be easily treated with some antibiotics. Now some of those bacteria which cause the infections are fighting against the medicine. The bacteria dubbed the superbugs can cause serious skin and internal infections.

"[They can cause] pneumonia and urinary infections," IU Health Arnett Infectious Disease Physician Doctor Thomas Meyer said. "If you have an abscess in your belly you can get an infection from that."

Meyer said the superbugs are changing their genetic codes to fight against what once killed them. He said the process has been happening for decades.

"Unfortunately it seems to be getting worse," Meyer said. "There are different mechanisms that they have, and one of the problems is we don't have new antibiotics coming down the market to fight them."

Although the bugs are becoming resistant to antibiotics simple soap and water can get them off you and your surfaces.

"As soon as we see any evidence a patient is colonized or exposed to this bacteria we put them in isolation," Meyer said. "People wear gowns and gloves going into the room. [They use] vigilant hand washing."

Although the cases have been mild, some cases of the superbug have been reported at IU Health Arnett.

"Sometimes people can have this bacteria isolated from their skin or the urine or something that doesn't cause serious disease," Meyer said. "We've seen a couple instances of that."

Meyer said the hospital uses a strict cleaning routine to prevent the spread of bacteria. Doctors also work closely with Purdue's Microbiology Department to find its source.