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Curious About MRSA?

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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics, but can usually be treated. Staphylococcus or “ staph ” germs are a common cause of skin and other infections.

What type of infections does MRSA cause?

• In the community, most MRSA infections are skin infections that may appear as pustules or boils which often are red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. These skin infections commonly occur at sites of visible skin trauma, such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair (e.g., back of neck, groin, buttock, armpit, beard area of men).

• Almost all MRSA skin infections can be effectively treated by drainage of pus with or without antibiotics. More serious infections, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or bone infections, are very rare in healthy people who get MRSA skin infections.

How is MRSA transmitted?

• MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's infection (e.g., towels, used bandages).

In what settings do MRSA skin infections occur?

• MRSA skin infections can occur anywhere.

• Some settings have factors that make it easier for MRSA to be transmitted.

• These factors, referred to as the 5 C 's, are as follows: C rowding, frequent skin-to-skin C ontact, C ompromised skin (i.e., cuts or abrasions), C ontaminated items and surfaces, and lack of C leanliness.

• Locations where the 5 C's are common include schools, dormitories, military barracks, households, correctional facilities, and daycare centers.

Should the schools or other similar locations be closed to be cleaned or disinfected when an MRSA infection occurs?

• Covering infections will greatly reduce the risks of surfaces becoming contaminated with MRSA. In general it is not necessary to close schools to "disinfect" them when MRSA infections occur. MRSA skin infections are transmitted primarily by skin-to-skin contact and contact with surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's infection. It is also rare that a student with MRSA would need to be excluded – only one that could not or would not keep the infected area covered.

• When MRSA skin infections occur, cleaning and disinfection should be performed on surfaces that are likely to have contacted uncovered or poorly covered infections, not the whole school.

• Cleaning surfaces with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectants is effective at removing MRSA from the environment.

The following suggestions can help prevent the spread of MRSA and other infections:

Personal Hygiene

• Wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before handling food and after using the bathroom.
• Shower daily and after any athletic training or event.
• Do not share personal items.
• Use clothing or towels as a barrier between shared surfaces, like exercise equipment.

• Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or shirtsleeve when sneezing or coughing.

Wound Care

• Cover skin trauma, such as abrasions or cuts, with a clean dry bandage until the wound is healed.

• Avoid touching other person’s wounds or soiled bandages.
• Watch for signs of an infection. See a healthcare provider if the wound becomes warm, swollen, red and painful or starts draining pus.
• If wound drainage cannot be fully contained under a bandage avoid close contact with other people and remain home until wound begins the healing process.

Antibiotics

• Use antibiotics only as directed by your healthcare provider.

• Don’t take antibiotics for viral infections like a cold.
• Don’t share or save antibiotics for later.

Laundry and Cleaning

• Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch or soiled surfaces such as phones, doorknobs and shared equipment using a cleaning product formulated to disinfect surfaces.
• Wash clothes and linens with detergent in the hottest suitable water temperature and dry in the dryer at the highest temperature that is safe for the fabric.

For further information contact:

Grand Traverse County Health Department 231-922-2718

CDC Website http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/prevent/schools.html