WHAT IS MRSA?

 

In the NEWS recently we have heard about several infections, one of which is MRSA.

 

Type of "Staph" Infection

• Often causes skin infections

• Resistant to many antibiotics, including penicillin

 

What does it look like?

• A "spider bite"

• Turf burn

• Abscess

• Boil

• Impetigo

• Infected skin/wound

 

How do you get MRSA?

• Touching someone's MRSA-infected skin

• Touching surfaces that have MRSA on them, like doorknobs, light switches and keyboards

• Sharing sports equipment

• Sharing personal hygiene items (bar soap, towels)

• Overusing antibiotics, also stopping them early, or missing doses

 

Stop the spread of MRSA!

• Wash your hands often with warm soapy water

• Use 60% alcohol based hand gel when soap and water are not available

• Do not share personal hygiene items

• Avoid contact with other people's skin infections

• Cover all wounds with a clean, dry bandage taped on all four sides

• Consider staying home from school if wound drainage cannot be contained by a bandage

• Report skin infections to the school nurse

• Wipe down shared desks, keyboards, phones, and light switches regularly

• Do not take antibiotics when you do not need them

 

For more information on MRSA you can go to www.cdc.gov , contact your primary physician or the Health Office at your school.