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MRSA. Usually Treatable. Highly Preventable |
Recently, you may have heard about something called MRSA and are wondering exactly what it is, how it is spread and who is at risk. The following provides answers to these and other frequently asked questions about MRSA. The good news is that MRSA is usually treatable and is highly preventable.
What is MRSA?
MRSA stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and is a type of bacteria commonly known as “staph” bacteria. Staph bacteria live on the skin and in the nose and are usually harmless. Staph bacteria can cause infections if they enter the body through a break in the skin. Usually, these infections can be treated with antibiotics.
MRSA, however, is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics commonly used to treat staph. MRSA infections can range from very minor to very serious and some can even be life threatening.
Who is at risk for MRSA?
MRSA occurs most frequently
in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. In recent years, however, MRSA has become more common in the community. Although anyone can get MRSA, individuals particularly at risk include those who:
- Spend a lot of time in
schools, dorms or other crowed places
- Share personal hygiene items or sports equipment
- Play contact sports such as wrestling or lacrosse
- Overuse or misuse antibiotics
What does MRSA look like?
Most commonly, MRSA causes skin infections that may look like:
- Spider bites
- Large, red, painful lumps under the skin (boils)
- A cut that is swollen, hot and filled with pus
In rare cases, MRSA causes infections in the blood, lungs and bones.
How is MRSA spread?
MRSA spreads in the same way colds spread – by direct contact with someone who is infected or by touching something with the bacteria on it and touching your eyes or nose. Some of the ways you can get MRSA are:
- Touching the skin of someone who has MRSA
- Using personal items of someone who has MRSA such as towels, clothing or
razors
- Touching objects that are contaminated with MRSA bacteria such as phones, computers, door knobs and light switches
How can the spread of MRSA be prevented?
By far, the most effective way to prevent the spread of MRSA is to wash hands often using warm, soapy water.
If water is not available, then a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol should be used.
What should be done if you suspect MRSA?
- Seek medical attention before the condition gets worse:
- Call your primary care physician
- If you don’t have a primary care physician, call 614-234-LIFE for a referral
- Or visit an urgent care or emergency department
- Cover wounds and change dressing daily
- Avoid spreading the infection by:
- Washing hands frequently
- Not sharing personal items
- Cleaning with disinfectant
People with MRSA should:
People with MRSA should take the following precautions to prevent the spread of MRSA:
- Keep wounds covered with a dry bandage until healed
- Wash clothing and uniforms after each use
- Avoid contact with other people’s skin
- Disinfect athletic equipment after using
- Shower immediately after physical activity that generates a sweat
- Not share personal hygiene items such as bar soap, towels or razors
- Wash hands frequently
- Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched using either
- Antibacterial cleaners such as Lysol Kitchen Spray or Clorox Wipes
- A solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water
- Notify coaches and trainers
- Follow school policy for reporting skin infections
- Use the following precautions when doing laundry:
- Hold dirty items away from your body to prevent germs from getting on your clothes
- Wear disposable gloves if laundry is soiled with body fluids or drainage from a sore
- Wash laundry in warm or hot water and use bleach if possible
- Dry clothes in a hot dryer rather than hanging on a clothesline
- Wash hands after handling dirty laundry and before handling clean laundry
Should people with MRSA attend work or school?
People with MRSA should always seek medical treatment and follow the recommendations of their healthcare professional about return to work or school.
In general, people with MRSA can continue to work and go to school if:
- Lesions can be covered with a dry bandage
- Good hygiene (such as frequent hand washing) can be practiced
- Activities in which skin-to-skin contact may occur are avoided
Can athletes with MRSA still participate?
Although there are no established standards for return to athletics, most health professionals will recommend athletes with active, draining sores do not participate in contact sports such as wrestling or lacrosse until the infection is healed. Participation in non-contact sports is generally permitted given the athlete:
- Covers lesions with a dry bandage
- Washes hands before and after sporting events
- Wipes equipment with a disinfectant before and after use
- Does not use pools, whirlpools or saunas
- Does not share equipment, uniforms or water bottles
- Washes clothing, uniforms and towels after each use
What happens if MRSA is found in a school?
If MRSA is found in a school, it is usually not necessary to close the school but areas likely to be contaminated should be cleaned and disinfected.
A single case of MRSA usually does not warrant the entire school population being informed.
If there is more than 1 case, the school nurse and physicians should consult the Health Department to determine the best course of action.
If there are 2 or more cases of MRSA that are connected by location and time and confirmed by a laboratory, it is considered an outbreak which must be reported to the Columbus Public Health Department.
How frequent are MRSA outbreaks?
Over the past four years, there have been 14 outbreaks of MRSA in central Ohio involving 80 people.
Can pets get MRSA?
It is possible for dogs and cats to get MRSA.
If pets have signs of a skin infection, or if someone in the house has repeated MRSA infections, pets should be tested by a vet.
As with humans, MRSA in pets is usually treatable.
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