Answers to commonly asked questions about preventing the spread of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) skin 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: Crowding, frequent skin-to-skin Contact, Compromised skin (i.e., cuts or abrasions), Contaminated items and surfaces, and 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 MRSA?
You can protect yourself by:
- 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;
- avoiding sharing personal items (e.g., towels, razors) that come into contact with your bare skin; and using a barrier (e.g., clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment such as weight-training benches;
- maintaining a clean environment by establishing cleaning procedures for frequently touched surfaces and surfaces that come into direct contact with people's skin.
How do I disinfect when an MRSA skin infection occurs?
- When MRSA skin infections occur, cleaning and disinfection should be performed on surfaces that are likely to contact uncovered or poorly covered infections.
- Cleaning surfaces with detergent-based cleaners or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectants is effective at removing MRSA from the environment.
- It is important to read the instruction labels on all cleaners to make sure they are used safely and appropriately.
- Environmental cleaners and disinfectants should not be used to treat infections.
- The EPA provides a list of EPA-registered products effective against MRSA: http://epa.gov/oppad001/chemregindex.htm
Should students with MRSA skin infections be excluded from attending school?
- Unless directed by a physician, students with MRSA infections should not be excluded from attending school.
- Exclusion from school 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.
- Students with active infections should be excluded from activities where skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur (e.g., sports) until their infections are healed.
I have an MRSA skin infection. How do I prevent spreading it to others?
- Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages until healed. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions on proper care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph, including MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others. Bandages and tape can be discarded with the regular trash.
- Clean your hands frequently. You, your family, and others in close contact should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected wound.
- Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms, that may have had contact with the infected wound or bandage. Wash sheets, towels, and clothes that become soiled with water and laundry detergent. Use a dryer to dry clothes completely.
What is the best way to encourage your child to eat a healthy diet? A new study from researchers at the US department of Agriculture Children's Research Center says that when parents eat diets rich in fruits and vegetables, their daughters are more likely to eat healthy as well.
In this study the eating habits of almost 200 parents and their 5 year old daughters were evaluated. Parents who modeled diets high in fruits and vegetables found their children ate more also. The children who ate more fruits whand vegetables had higher intakes of vitamins and minerals and ate less fat. In contrast, parentso ate fewer fruits and vegetables had children who ate less.
If you are interested in helping your child eat a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low in fat, the answer is simple: do it yourself. Try incorporating healthy foods at family mealtimes where everyone is eating the same meal. If you go out to a restaurant, demonstrate to your child that a baked potato topped with broccoli is a healthier choice than French fries. When you pack lunches for school and work, stash an apple and carrot sticks in both the kids' and adults' bags.
Sources: Fisher JO, Mitchell DC, Smiciklas-Wright H, Birch LL. Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
When shopping for lunch food, do not be misled by "fat free" labels. As the table below shows, a slice of regular turkey breast would be a better choice than a deli meat labeled "95% fat-free" in terms of both calories and fat content.
The table shows the fat content and calories from a 1 ounce serving of various sandwich meats. For example, in turkey bologna, more than 60% of the calories come from fat which is double the recommended guideline.
Be sure to read labels carefully and look at the fat content when shopping for heart-healthy meals.
1. AEDs At Every School
2. Parents Have Positive Influence on Kids' Nutrition
3. Choose Your Sandwich Meat Wisely
4. MRSA Fact Sheet
Parents Have Positive Influence on Kid's Nutrition
Choose Your Sandwich Meat Wisely
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
MRSA Fact Sheet
An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a device about the size of a laptop computer that analyzes the heart's rhythm for any abnormalities and, if necessary, directs the rescuer to deliver an electrical shock to the victim. This shock, called defibrillation, may help the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm of its own. Unless a normal heart rhythm is restored, death can follow in a matter of minutes (sudden cardiac arrest).
Dr. McGriff and the School Board of Roane County believe in the importance and necessity of these life-saving devices so strongly that an AED has been placed in every school and in the Central Office. These devices are easy to operate using voice prompts to guide the rescuer. It is our hope that we never have the need to use these devices, but are prepared should a critical incident arise with our students, staff, or visitors to our schools.
AED's Now At Every School
