MRSA Information
January 31, 2008
The health and well being of our students is important to the
Henrietta Independent School District. The recent media information
related to Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
bacterium infection has prompted many questions. This information
is being provided to help prevent the occurrence of any possible
infection including Community Acquired MRSA bacterium infection.
Preventative actions are also being taken by HISD to support you in
this effort.
Information on Staphylococcal
Infections School Athletic
Departments: Instructions for the Athlete
This information is provided to assist you in the control and
prevention of staphylococcal (commonly called staph) infections.
These infections usually are easy to treat with inexpensive,
well-tolerated antibiotics. However, some staph bacteria have
developed resistance; that is, the antibiotics can no longer kill
the bacteria. Although antibiotic-resistant infections are serious,
the
following measures are effective against many other infectious
diseases.
WHAT IS A STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTION?
Staphylococcus aureus commonly causes boils as well as more
serious conditions such as pneumonia or bloodstream infections.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
twenty to thirty-five percent of adults and children in the United
States are “colonized” with staph—the bacteria are present but do
not cause illness. Staphylococcus aureus colonization
usually occurs in the armpit, groin, genital area, and, most
frequently, the inside of the nose. Most infections occur when the
staph bacteria enter through a break in the skin (cut or scrape) or
when broken skin touches inanimate objects (such as clothing, bed
linens, or furniture) soiled with draining wounds. Your hands must
be clean before you touch your eyes, nose, mouth, or any
cuts or scrapes on the skin. The bacterium is not carried through
the air and is not found in dirt or mud. Methicillin resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) - A MRSA (often pronounced mer-sa)
infection, unlike a common Staphylococcus aureus infection, cannot
be treated with methicillin-related antibiotics (such as
penicillin). The treatment may be longer, expensive, more
complicated, and infections can reappear frequently. At first, MRSA
was limited to hospitals and longterm
care facilities, such as nursing homes. In the past few years, some
reports of MRSA not associated with the medical setting have been
confirmed. MRSA outbreaks associated with sports teams have been
reported since 2002. These outbreaks have included wrestling,
volleyball, and most frequently, football teams.
STRATEGIES TO PREVENT
STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTIONS
HAND WASHING IS THE SINGLE
MOST IMPORTANT BEHAVIOR IN PREVENTING INFECTIOUS
DISEASE.
The proper way to wash your hands
1. Use warm water
2. Wet your hands and wrists
3. Using a bar or liquid soap
4. Work soap into a lather and wash between fingers, up to wrists,
and under fingernails for at least 15
seconds
5. Dry, using a clean cloth towel or paper towel
6. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers to wash hands immediately if
they come in contact with any body fluid at the playing field or
other places where hand-washing facilities are not available
Wash your hands as described above:
· After sneezing, blowing, or touching your nose
· Before and after close contact or using the toilet
· Before leaving the athletic area
OTHER PRECAUTIONS:
· Keep your hands away from your nose and groin
· Do not share towels, soap, lotion or other personal care items,
even on the sidelines at games
· Shower with soap and water as soon as possible after direct
contact sports
· Dry using a clean, dry towel
· Use a moisturizing lotion to prevent dry, cracked skin.
· Prewash or rinse with plain water items that have been grossly
contaminated with body fluids.
· Wash your towels, uniforms, scrimmage shirts, and any other
laundry in hot water and ordinary detergent and dry
on the hottest possible cycle
· Inform your parents of these precautions if laundry is sent
home
· More specific directions may be provided by your athletic trainer
or coach
HOW TO CARE FOR DRAINING
WOUNDS
MRSA may be more difficult to treat. However, treatment is
usually successful after prompt, appropriate evaluation by a doctor
or clinic and when the correct antibiotic(s) (if indicated) is
prescribed. Other types of treatments may be indicated.
WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN: A physician or advanced practitioner
should examine the wound. A culture and susceptibility test should
be performed to determine what bacteria you have and what
antibiotic would be the most effective with the fewest side
effects. If the practitioner determines you do not have a bacterial
infection, you will not receive an antibiotic. Antibiotics are not
effective against non-bacterial infections.
· Take all medication even after the infection seems to have
healed
· If a topical ointment is prescribed, apply as directed
· Follow all other directions the physician/practitioner gives
you
· Inform the physician/practitioner if you are not responding to
treatment
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF WOUNDS AT
HOME:
· Avoid direct contact with others until the wound is no
longer draining and you have been instructed by your
physician to resume your usual activities. If taking antibiotics,
see your doctor if the wound has a lot of pus and is not yet
draining. Excess pus will not let the antibiotic reach the wound to
heal it.
· Wash your hands frequently, especially before and after changing
band-aids, bandages, or wound dressings
· Keep the wound covered. The dressing must be changed at least
twice a day; or, more frequently, if drainage is apparent
· All disposable materials that come into contact with the wound
(including dressings or bandages) need to be placed in a separate
plastic bag and closed before being disposed of in the household
trash. Wash your hands after removing and disposing of the soiled
dressing
· Use isopropyl alcohol (available at pharmacies or grocery stores)
to disinfect reusable materials, such as scissors or tweezers after
each use
· All items that come in contact with the wound must be disinfected
with a fresh (prepared daily) mix of one tablespoon of household
bleach to one quart of water or a phenol-containing product such as
Lysol® or Pine-sol®. Use a phenol-containing spray to disinfect any
cloth or upholstered surface. Other commercially available products
may be appropriate
· Have a designated chair or area for sitting. It should have a
hard surface or an easily cleaned plastic or similar cover for easy
disinfection. No one else should sit there until the wound has
healed completely
· Utensils and dishes should be washed in the usual manner with
soap and hot water or using a standard home dishwasher
· Carry laundry away from the body in a plastic or other lined bag
that will not allow wet articles to drain through
· Handle and launder all clothing, towels, and linens that come in
contact with the wound separately from those of other members of
the household. Use a separate hamper
· Articles that come in contact with the wound should be washed in
hot water with the usual detergent
· Dry clothes thoroughly using the hottest setting
· Towels and linens should be changed daily
· Do not share ointments or antibiotics
AT SCHOOL:
· Follow any instructions that your athletic trainer, coach,
or school nurse give you regarding direct contact with other
persons at school
· Carry and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water
are not available
· Wash hands immediately after contact with the wound
· Do not take antibiotics to prevent an infection
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION When in doubt of the correct
procedure to follow, contact your healthcare provider, your local
or regional health department, or the Texas Department of State
Health Services. Additional information on bacteria,
antibiotics and antibiotic resistant organisms, disinfection, wound
healing, and other treatment for infections can be found in your
local library or the World Wide Web: Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/ARESIST/mrsa.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/community/
Other sources www.ahrq.gov
http://www.tufts.edu/med/apua/Practitioners/RSMarticle.html
