October 29, 2007

 

Dear Parent/Guardian:

 

           

In light of all the news reports regarding Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA), we wanted to try to answer some questions for you with the following information.  Currently, there are no known cases in the Swansea schools.

 

If you have any specific questions, please contact the nurse at your child’s school.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Leslie Stolts RN,C

Director of Health Services

 

 

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

 

 

MRSA is sometimes said as a single word, “mersa” or by saying all four letters, “M-R-S-A”.

 

What is MRSA?

MRSA is a strain of the common Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that cannot be treated with some commonly used antibiotics. – Previously it was found almost exclusively in hospitals, but now it is becoming more increasingly seen in the community.

 

What are Staph?

Staph are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. About 25-30% of the US population carries staph on their bodies everyday.

 

Why is Awareness important?

Coaches, players, parents and school staff all need to be aware of the presences of MRSA bacteria in our communities because it can be easily spread from person to person.

 

Who is at Risk?  How is it spread?

Anyone who is in physical contact with other people on a regular basis is at a high risk for spread of the bacteria.

Staph are spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, such as shaking hands, wrestling or other direct contact with the skin of another person. Staph are also spread by contact with items that have been touched by people with staph, like towels shared after bathing and drying off, or shared athletic equipment in the gym of on the field.

 

What does MRSA Look Like?

            Pimples, rashes, pus-filled boils, especially when warm, painful, red or swollen, can mean that you have a staph or MRSA skin infection.  Often, MRSA is initially diagnosed as a spider bite. Be sure to contact your doctor if you have a skin infection that does not improve.

 

How do I avoid MRSA?

Personal hygiene is the key in the prevention of MRSA and Staphylococcus aureus.

  • Thorough cleansing after workouts and contact with other players is your primary defense.
  • Utilize alcohol-based hand sanitizers during workouts and games.
  • Launder your uniforms and other athletic clothing in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer.
  • Be sure that gym equipment if cleaned well.
  • If you have an open wound, be sure to clean it well, and keep it covered with a bandage that attached to the skin on all sides.
  • Do not share or borrow towels, razors, soap or any other personal items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MRSA Do’s and Don’ts: (if you have been diagnosed with MRSA)

 

Do’s:

  • Wash hands at least 3 times per day or whenever they are visibly soiled to help prevent cross-contamination.
  • Shower immediately after activity in water as warm as can be tolerated.
  • If you have an open wound, keep it covered with a clean dry bandage. Especially if it is draining.
  • Disinfect all towels, sheets, and surfaces that come into contact with the wound with a solution of 1:100 of household bleach to water.
  • Avoid participating in contact sports or other skin-to-skin contact until the infection has healed.
  • Use a medication as prescribed by your doctor (be sure to complete the entire course of treatment – even if the wound looks healed)

 

Don’ts:

  • Get in a whirlpool or common tub.
  • Share bars of soap, razors, towels or athletic gear.
  • Wait to see if it gets better on its own.
  • Contact infected area with any surface that is shared by others.