What is Staphylococcus Aureus (STAPH)?
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph”, are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 25-30% of the general population may have staph present in their nose. Sometimes, staph can cause an infection. Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. Most of these skin infections are minor (such as pimples and boils) and can be treated without antibiotics. However, staph bacteria also can cause serious infections (such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia).
What is MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)?
Some staph bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to antibiotics called beta-lactams. Beta-lactam antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin. It is estimated that 1 % of the general population are carriers of MRSA.
What is community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA)?
MRSA infections that are acquired by persons who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are known as CA-MRSA infections. Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people.
What does a “STAPH” or MRSA infection look like and how does it spread?
Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections.
Factors that have been associated with the spread of MRSA skin infections include: close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, and poor hygiene. Precautions should be taken for students in athletic activities involving close contact. Showers should be taken after athletic activities.
How can STAPH or MRSA skin infections be prevented?
Practice good hygiene:
1. Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water and/or use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not accessible.
2. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
3. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
4. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
What should a person do if he/she thinks they have a staph or MRSA infection?
- See their healthcare provider.
Are staph and MRSA infections treatable?
- Yes. Most staph and MRSA infections are treatable with antibiotics. Follow the healthcare provider’s instructions.
What can be done to prevent others from getting infected from someone infected with STAPH, or MRSA skin infection?
You can prevent spreading staph or MRSA skin infections to others by following these steps:
1.
Keeping wounds covered. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages. Follow the healthcare provider’s instructions on proper care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph and MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others.
2.
Keeping hands clean. Hands should be washed frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected wound.
3.
By not sharing 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. Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes.
4.
Telling the doctor. If infected, or previously infected with staph or MRSA, tell any healthcare providers who treat you.
What steps can schools take as Infection Control Measures?
- Encourage students, staff, parents, and visitors to follow proper hand washing techniques. Use alcohol based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not directly accessible.
- Use of proper hygiene and not sharing personal items (e.g., towels, clothing).
- Disinfect touched surfaces such as table tops, desks, and computer keyboards.
- Sanitize all locker rooms, gymnasiums, weight and training rooms.
- Cleaning all interior walls.
- Require all student athletes to shower.
- Prevent any student with open wound or boils from participating in any contact sports.
Can a student attend school with a MRSA infection?
Students who present with open or draining wounds should be excluded from school.
1. Any student identified with a boil or skin lesion with fluid should be sent to the school health clinic and the parent should be contacted to pick up their child for evaluation.
2. Students must have a note from a healthcare provider stating they may return to school.
Please report any confirmed cases of MRSA, or questions about MRSA to Health Education Services at 754-321-2272.
Additional information is available on the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools/ 
