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MRSA
This
2005 scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted numerous clumps of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, commonly referred to by the acronym, MRSA
credit: CDC
Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) , is also known as oxacillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (ORSA), multiple-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, CA-MRSA
(community-acquired MRSA) and HA-MRSA (hospital-acquired MRSA),. It is a
biological agent responsible for difficult-to-treat infections in humans. (MSSA
is Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus.) MRSA is a variation of the
common bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus. It has evolved the ability to survive
treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics, including penicillin and methicillin.The
organism is especially troublesome in hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections.
In hospitals, patients with open wounds and weakened immune systems are at
greater risk for infection than general public. Hospital staff who do not follow
proper sanitary procedures may inadvertently transfer bacterial colonies from
patient to patient.
MRSA was discovered in 1961 in
the UK. It is now found worldwide. MRSA is popularly termed (in the press) a
superbug, or staph infection connection.
Questions and
Answers about (MRSA) in Schools From The CDC
Answers to commonly asked questions about
preventing the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
skin infections.
CDC, along with parents and school
officials, wants to do everything possible to protect students from MRSA skin
infections. These are commonly asked questions that will help parents and school
officials prevent the spread of MRSA in schools.
What type of infections
does MRSA cause?
•
In the community most MRSA infections are skin infections that may appear as
pustules or boils which often are red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other
drainage. These skin infections commonly occur at sites of visible skin trauma,
such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair (e.g., back of
neck, groin, buttock, armpit, beard area of men).
•
Almost all MRSA skin infections can be effectively treated by drainage of pus
with or without antibiotics. More serious infections, such as pneumonia,
bloodstream infections, or bone infections, are very rare in healthy people who
get MRSA skin infections.
How is MRSA transmitted?
•
MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with
shared items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's
infection (e.g., towels, used bandages).
In what settings do MRSA
skin infections occur?
•
MRSA skin infections can occur anywhere.
•
Some settings have factors that make it easier for MRSA to be transmitted.
•
These factors, referred to as the 5 C's, are as follows: Crowding,
frequent skin-to-skin Contact, Compromised
skin (i.e., cuts or abrasions), Contaminated items and
surfaces, and lack of Cleanliness.
•
Locations where the 5 C's are common include schools, dormitories, military
barracks, households, correctional facilities, and daycare centers.
How do I protect myself
from getting MRSA?
•
You can protect yourself by:
•
practicing good hygiene (e.g., keeping your hands clean by washing with soap and
water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and showering immediately after
participating in exercise);
•
covering skin trauma such as abrasions or cuts with a clean dry bandage until
healed;
•
avoiding sharing personal items (e.g., towels, razors) that come into contact
with your bare skin; and using a barrier (e.g., clothing or a towel) between
your skin and shared equipment such as weight-training benches;
•
maintaining a clean environment by establishing cleaning procedures for
frequently touched surfaces and surfaces that come into direct contact with
people's skin.
Should schools close
because of an MRSA infection?
•
The decision to close a school for any communicable disease should be made by
school officials in consultation with local and/or state public health
officials. However, in most cases, it is not necessary to close schools because
of an MRSA infection in a student. It is important to note that MRSA
transmission can be prevented by simple measures such as hand hygiene and
covering infections.
Should the school be closed to be cleaned or disinfected when an MRSA
infection occurs?
 |
Covering infections will greatly
reduce the risks of surfaces becoming contaminated with MRSA. In general
it is not necessary to close schools to "disinfect" them when
MRSA infections occur. MRSA skin infections are transmitted primarily by
skin-to-skin contact and contact with surfaces that have come into
contact with someone else's infection.
• When MRSA skin
infections occur, cleaning and disinfection should be performed on
surfaces that are likely to contact uncovered or poorly covered
infections.
• Cleaning surfaces with
detergent-based cleaners or Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA)-registered disinfectants is effective at removing MRSA from the
environment. • It is important to read the instruction labels on all
cleaners to make sure they are used safely and appropriately.
• Environmental cleaners and
disinfectants should not be used to treat infections.
• The EPA provides a list
of EPA-registered products effective against MRSA: http://epa.gov/oppad001/chemregindex.htm |
Should the entire school
community be notified of every MRSA infection?
•
Usually, it should not be necessary to inform the entire school community about
a single MRSA infection. When an MRSA infection occurs within the school
population, the school nurse and school physician should determine, based on
their medical judgment, whether some or all students, parents and staff should
be notified. Consultation with the local public health authorities should be
used to guide this decision.
•
Remember that staphylococcus (staph) bacteria, including MRSA, have been and
remain a common cause of skin infections.
Should the school be
notified that my child has an MRSA infection?
•
Consult with your school about its policy for notification of skin infections.
Should students with MRSA
skin infections be excluded from attending school?
•
Unless directed by a physician, students with MRSA infections should not be
excluded from attending school.
•
Exclusion from school and sports activities should be reserved for those with
wound drainage ("pus") that cannot be covered and contained with a
clean, dry bandage and for those who cannot maintain good personal hygiene.
I have an MRSA skin
infection. How do I prevent spreading it to others?
•
Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean,
dry bandages until healed. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions on
proper care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph, including
MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others.
Bandages and tape can be discarded with the regular trash.
•
Clean your hands frequently. You, your family, and others in close contact
should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected
wound.
•
Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels,
washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms, that may have had contact with the
infected wound or bandage. Wash sheets, towels, and clothes that become soiled
with water and laundry detergent. Use a dryer to dry clothes completely.
Practical Advice for Teachers
•
If you observe children with open draining wounds or infections, refer the child
to the school nurse.
•
Enforce hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers (if
available) before eating and after using the bathroom.
Advice for School Health Personnel
•
Students with skin infections may need to be referred to a licensed health care
provider for diagnosis and treatment. School health personnel should notify
parents/guardians when possible skin infections are detected.
•
Use standard precautions (e.g., hand hygiene before and after contact, wearing
gloves) when caring for nonintact skin or potential infections.
•
Use barriers such as gowns, masks and eye protection if splashing of body fluids
is anticipated.
Credit:
CDC |
