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MRSA
More deadly than HIV!

Antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

More Deadly Than HIV?

Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infections are killing more people than HIV. A new estimate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says drug-resistant staphylococcus bacteria are killing more people than the AIDS virus.

METHCILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA)

What is Methcillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA)?

Methcillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureua (MRSA) can cause infection in different parts of the body. It's tougher to treat than most strains of Staphylcoccus aureus or staph because it's resistant to some antibiotics. MRSA is sometime called a "superbug" because it's harder to treat.

What does a Methcillin-resistant Staphylococcus
MRSA skin infection look like?

Staphylococcus aureua MRSA skin infection looks like a pimple or boil that can be red, swollen and painful. The lesion may also have pus or other drainage. Draining, cleaning, and covering the lesion in the doctor's office may be the only treatment needed, but many physicians also give oral antibioics when necessary.

Could other skin problems be mistaken for methcillin resistant staphylococcus (MRSA)?
Other skin rashes or conditions may be mistaken for Staphylococcus aureua MRSA. A spider bite, a boil or pimple, or any red, warm, and swollen lesion may have the same appearance as a
Staphylococcus aureua MRSA skin infection. If you have an infection on the skin, your doctor will swab a sample of the infected area to test for MRSA. How is antibiotic resistant
staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA) spread?

Close skin-to-skin contact
Cuts and abrasion in the skin sharing personal items such as towels
Contact with contaminated

What is community-associated MRSA?
Staphylococcus aureua MRSA skin infection is beginning to show up more frequently in healthy people without any related risks,such as a recent hospitalization or medical procedure. This type of Staphylococcus aureua MRSA is called community-associated MRSA. These infections are increasingly being seen in the general community and have been reported in schools, gyms, and even day care centers.

How can you avoid antibiotic resistant staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA) infection?
Good hygiene, such as frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water, is one of the best ways to keep from getting infection

Avoid touching other people's wounds or bandages
Do not share personal items like towels or razors
Wipe down surfaces you come in contact with at the gym or in a locker room and shower immediately after sports or any activity where
there is frequent skin-to-skin contact.

What type of infection does antibiotic resistant staphylococcus aureus ( 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 of men.) Almost all MRSA skin infections can be effectively treated by drainage of pus with or without antibiotics.

How is antibiotic resistant staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA) transmitted?
Staphylococcus aureus MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact shared items or surfaces that have come in contact with someone else's infection (e.g., towels, used bandages.) Staphylococcus aureua MRSA skin infections can occur anywhere.

Some settings have factors that make it easier for MRSA to be spread. These factors, referred to as the 5 C's are as follows:
Crowding,
Frequent skin-to-skin Contact.
Compromised skin (i.e., cuts or abrasions).
Contaminated items and surfaces.
Lack of Cleanliness

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

How do I protect myself from getting antibiotic resistant staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA)?

You can protect yourself: Practicing good hygiene (e.g., keeping your hands clean by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and showering immediately after participating in exercise). Covering skin trauma such as abrasions or cuts with a clean dry bandage until healed. Avoid sharing personal items ( e,g,. towels, razors) that come in contact with your bare skin, and using a barrier (e.g., clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment such as weigh training benches. Maintaining a clean environment by establishing cleaning procedures for frequently touched surfaces and surfaces that come into direct contact with peoples skin.

Should schools close because of an antibiotic resistant staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA) infection?

The decision to close a school for any communicable disease should be made by school officials in consultation with local and/or state public health officials. However, in most cases , it is not necessary to close schools because of an Staphylococcus aureua MRSA infection in a student. It is important to note that Staphylococcus aureua MRSA transmission can be prevented by simple measures such as hand hygiene and covering infections.

Should the school be closed to be cleaned or disinfected when an antibiotic resistant staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA) infection occurs?
Covering infections will greatly reduce the risks of surfaces becoming contaminated with Staphylococcus aureua MRSA. In general it is not necessary to close schools to "disinfect" them when MRSA infections occur. 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 in contact with someone else's infection. When MRSA skin infection occur, cleaning and disinfection should be performed on surfaces that are likely to contact uncovered or poorly covered infection. Cleaning surfaces with detergent-based cleaners or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered disinfectants is effective at removing MRSA from the environment.

Consult with your school about its policy for notification of skin infections.

Should students with antibiotic resistant staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA) skin infections be excluded from school?
Unless directed by a physician, students with MRSA infections should not be excluded from attending school. Exclusion from the school and sports activites should be reserved for those with wound drainage ("pus") that cannot be covered and contained with a clean, dry bandage and for those who cannot maintain good personal hygiene.