Staphylococcus aureus ("staph") is a bacteria that can cause skin infections such as pimples or boils. MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a type of staph that is resistant to some antibiotics. Many healthy people carry staph, including MRSA, in their nose or on their skin and do not know they are carrying it. They usually do not get skin infections, do not have any signs or symptoms of illness, and do not need any treatment.
Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. The symptoms of a staph infection include pimples, boils, red/warm skin, or a wound that does not heal. Minor staph infections such as pimples or boils, including those caused by MRSA, can often be treated by good wound and skin care without antibiotics. However, sometimes staph can cause more serious infections. MRSA infections occur most frequently among patients in healthcare facilities who have weakened immune systems. However, MRSA infections are becoming more common in community settings, including schools and among athletes.
Staph, including MRSA, is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, such as shaking hands, wrestling, or other direct contact with the skin of another person or a contaminated surface. Having an opening in the skin such as a cut or scrape can increase the risk of infection.
You can reduce the transmission of MRSA by using the following procedures: * Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer * Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed * Avoid contact with other people's wounds and bandages * If wounds are unable to be covered, do not participate in activities that have skin-to-skin contact * Do not share personal items such as towels, bar soap, razors, and athletic equipment that touches the skin * Clean environmental surfaces and athletic equipment with which multiple people have contact regularly with appropriate disinfectants
If you are worried that your child has an MRSA infection, please call for an appointment. For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/MRSAinSchools.
