General Information Regarding CA-MRSA
Staphylococcus aureus ("staph") infections have
been around for many years, causing mild to severe illness.
CA-MRSA stands for community acquired methicillin-resistant
staphylococcus aureus, a form of staph infection that does
not respond to routine treatment with some commonly used
antibiotics, although other antibiotics are effective. A
mild infection may look like a pimple or a boil and can be
red, swollen, and painful or have pus or other drainage and
is usually mildly infectious and easily treated. A more serious
infection may lead to pneumonia, a bloodstream infection,
or a surgical wound infection.
Approximately 25-30
percent of healthy people may carry staph aureus, and only 1
percent carry MRSA. Healthy people often carry staph bacteria
on the skin or in the nose; most of the time these bacteria do
not cause a problem. Staph is passed from person to person through
direct contact with skin or through contact with contaminated
items. Staph can enter the body through breaks in the skin and
can sometimes cause infection. The most effective way to prevent
staph infection is to practice proper hygiene, such as washing
hands well and caring for wounds properly.
Floyd County Schools continues to work with the Floyd County
Health Department to prevent the spread of MRSA in the school
setting and to review prevention and control protocols already
in place.
Floyd County Schools Efforts in Addressing CA-MRSA
Schools are cleaned regularly with an EPA-registered broad
spectrum microorganism-killing solution that is effective
against staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA. The protocols
for the cleaning of facilities are monitored and evaluated
regularly. MRSA is resistant
to several classes of antibiotics, not to disinfectants. Therefore,
routine cleaning with an EPA-registered cleaner or bleach solution
(one part bleach to nine parts water) is all that is recommended.
Because the bacteria live on the skin, they may be reintroduced
into any environment at any time. Therefore, effective
hand washing and wound care remain the primary means of preventing
staph infections. Except under extraordinary circumstances, school
closure would not be warranted following the identification of
a MRSA case in the school setting. Routine sanitation
practices are normally sufficient to address MRSA contamination
of surfaces and materials in such instances.
Some of the recent cases of MRSA reported in schools have
involved students in athletic programs. The Floyd County
Schools athletic training program has proactively addressed the increase of MRSA
throughout the nation.
The Floyd County School System is following all guidelines
for prevention of the MRSA infection from local, state and
national health officials. Schools are cleaned daily with
an EPA-registered broad spectrum microorganism-killing solution
that is effective against staphylococcus aureus, including
MRSA. The protocols for the cleaning of facilities are monitored
and evaluated regularly. Student common areas such as locker
rooms, weight rooms and all restroom facilities are treated
with the cleaning solution on a daily basis.
MRSA is resistant to several classes of antibiotics, not
to disinfectants. Therefore, routine cleaning with
an EPA-registered cleaner or bleach solution (one part bleach
to nine parts water) is the process that is recommended.
Because the bacteria live on the skin, they may be reintroduced
into any environment at any time. Therefore, effective
hand washing and wound care remain the primary means of preventing
staph infections. Routine sanitation practices are recommended
to address MRSA contamination of surfaces and materials.
In cooperation with the Floyd County Health Department,
Floyd County schools requires a written doctors release for
a student who has been diagnosed with MRSA to participate
in extra curricular practices or games.
Coosa High School has shown a video about preventing, identifying
and treating MRSA to all students, teachers and staff. All
efforts have been made to inform parents and the community
of measures to prevent and identify the infection.
Practical Advice for Parents
Personal hygiene is the best defense against staph infection.
The key ways to prevent the spread of staph bacteria are
through frequent and thorough hand washing and through proper
wound care. Hands should be
washed after toileting, before eating, and before and after changing bandages. Additionally,
avoid sharing razors, towels, bars of soap, or other objects that could pass
bacteria from one person’s skin to another’s.
Wounds should be cleaned and covered with bandages. Those wounds that do
not heal properly or have unusual amounts of drainage or pus need medical attention. MRSA
can be diagnosed only through a laboratory test. Health
care professionals need to be aware and look closely for
MRSA because prognosis is improved if appropriate treatment
is started early.
MRSA infections can be treated. Treatment depends
on the site and severity of the infection. Not all
infections require oral antibiotics. Early detection and
medical care are paramount to the success of MRSA treatment.
If you have any questions about your condition, be sure to ask your doctor.
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