Congressman John Alder

by YankeeJim | April 4, 2011 at 02:19 pm

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It was sad news to learn today that Congressman John Alder has died from staph infection at age 51. That is young and staph infection is frightening. I spent the month of February fighting staph infection contracted from surgery in November. It caught hold and wouldn’t let go. It zaps your strength, makes you sick so you can’t do anything. Then, the antibiotics compound ill feeling until you escape its grip, if indeed you can. I feel very fortunate.

“John Herbert Adler (August 23, 1959 – April 4, 2011)[3] was an U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 3rd congressional district, serving from 2009 until 2011. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He was formerly a member of the New Jersey Senate from 1992 to 2009, where he represented the 6th Legislative District. The district stretches from the suburbs of Philadelphia to Ocean County.”

“Staph Infection
(Staphylococcus aureus What is Staphylococcus?

Staphylococcus is a group of bacteria that can cause a multitude of diseases as a result of infection of various tissues of the body.Staphylococcus is more familiarly known as Staph (pronounced "staff"). Staph-related illness can range from mild and requiring no treatment to severe and potentially fatal.

The name Staphylococcus comes from the Greek staphyle, meaning a bunch of grapes, and kokkos, meaning berry, and that is what Staph look like under the microscope, like a bunch of grapes or little round berries. (In technical terms, these are gram-positive, facultative anaerobic, usually unencapsulated cocci.)

Over 30 different types of Staphylococci can infect humans, but most infections are caused byStaphylococcus aureus. Staphylococci can be found normally in the nose and on the skin (and less commonly in other locations) of 25%-30% of healthy adults. In the majority of cases, the bacteria do not cause disease. However, damage to the skin or other injury may allow the bacteria to overcome the natural protective mechanisms of the body, leading to infection.

Who is at risk for Staph infections?

Anyone can develop a Staph infection, although certain groups of people are at greater risk, includingnewborn infants, breastfeedingwomen, and people with chronic conditions such as diabetes,cancer, vascular disease, and lung disease. Injecting drug users, those with skin injuries or disorders, intravenous catheters, surgical incisions, and those with a weakened immune system all have an increased risk of developing Staph infections.

What are the symptoms and signs of a Staph infection?

Staphylococcal disease of the skin usually results in a localized collection of pus, known as anabscess, boil, or furuncle. The affected area may be red, swollen, and painful. Drainage or pus is common. When Staph is in the blood (bacteremia orsepsis) it can cause high fevers, chills, and low blood pressure.”