Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-
AKA: MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is getting more publicity than ever.
MRSA is not a new infection — the first
case was reported in 1968. MRSA is now affecting more people outside of
hospitals. MRSA used to be seen only in those with weakened immune systems —
chronically ill people who'd been hospitalized for a long time or had surgery,
those receiving long courses of antibiotic therapy, or people living in
long-term care facilities like nursing homes or prisons.
The
spread of this bacterium found on skin can cause infection that is resistant to
most of the penicillin type antibiotics and is becoming more resistant. With
proper hygiene it can be prevented, as with many other viruses and bacteria’s.
Staph is the usual suspect in many skin infections.
Community-associated
MRSA
(CA-MRSA),
this type of staph infection has been found most recently in a few schools and
professional sports teams. The bug can be passed to others by direct contact of
persons, clothing, and contaminated articles. Kids in child-care settings may
also be at risk. To become infected the bacteria must enter into a cut, scrap,
or abrasion.
Staph infections, including those caused by MRSA, usually begin as red bumps
resembling boils or pimples (people sometimes mistake them for spider bites).
The bumps often become
swollen, painful, and filled with pus.
To help keep this bug at bay in your
household:
- Make sure every member
of your family washes their hands well and often.
- Use alcohol-based
instant hand sanitizers.
- Keep any broken skin
clean and covered with a bandage.
- Don't share razors,
towels, or other items that come into contact with bare skin.
- Clean shared sports
equipment with antiseptic solution before each use or use a barrier
(clothing or a towel) between your skin and the equipment.
Call the doctor if:
- your child has an area
of skin that's red, painful, swollen, and/or filled with pus
- your child has
inflamed skin and is also feverish or feels sick
- skin infections seem
to be passing from one family member to another or if two or more family
members have skin infections at the same time.
Students will only be excluded from school if a fever is present and or impetigo
is suspected. Please remember that as a nurse I am not authorized to make any
diagnoses. I can only refer and recommend. If your child has unusual,
persistent symptoms of any nature you should always consult you family doctor.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns you may contact me at
857-9268.
Mary Lasley, LVN
School Nurse