MRSA
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is essentially a staph infection that is resistant to most antibiotics.
The MRSA bacterium lives on the skin or nasal passage of perhaps 40 percent of people, medical experts tell us. If it gets inside your body through an open cut or person-to-person contact, it can cause an infection. It’s not transmitted through the air, nor is it dangerous for a student with a MRSA infection to be in school as long as the wound is properly treated and covered with appropriate bandaging, experts say.
While this is a very real health concern, it is important to know that MRSA is a treatable infection, although not all antibiotics are effective against it. It’s important to check with your health care provider if you or your child receives a skin or soft tissue wound that develops redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness of the skin, and boils or blisters. A staph infection may look like a spider bite, as well. You may call the school nurse to help you determine if he or she should see a doctor, or for follow-up care if the student is diagnosed with a staph infection.
We also want to make sure that you are aware of some great resources on the state Department of Health Website at http://www.doh.wa.gov/Topics/Antibiotics/MRSA.htm. This includes a Question and Answer section about MRSA in schools. There is also some general information in English and Spanish about what MRSA is, how it is spread, and steps people can take to prevent an infection. Here are some important measures to take.
Tips for Preventing MRSA Infection
- Practice good hygiene—wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; shower immediately after exercising.
- Avoid sharing items such as towels, sheets, clothing, razors, and athletic equipment. Staph, including the antibiotic-resistant MRSA strain, spreads on contaminated objects as well as through direct contact.
- Wash athletic gear and towels properly after each use. For clothing, use a washer and laundry detergent, and a dryer to dry clothes completely. Use detergent-based cleaners or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registered disinfectants to remove MRSA from surfaces. Avoid whirlpools or common tubs if you have an open wound, scrape, or scratch.
- Cover scrapes or cuts with clean, dry bandages until healed.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as athletic equipment, that come into direct contact with peoples’ skin.
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