Important Information about Staph Infections

Dear Heard County Parents:

According to the Georgia Division of Public Health, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a threat in the community. Until recently, MRSA was almost seen exclusively in hospitalized patients. Because we are now seeing it in the community, especially in groups of athletes, children in childcare settings and crowding situations such as prisons and jails, the Georgia Division of Public Health is working to educate the public to prevent this infection. The Heard County School System is actively taking steps to stop the possible spread of Staph. Our staff is treating and sanitizing those areas that are possible breeding grounds for the bacteria. These are steps that you as parents, can take to help with this situation as well. Please read the following information about Staph. If your child is or becomes infected, please take them to your family physician or other healthcare provider.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
What is Staphylococcus Aureus?
• This bacteria, often called Staph, is one of the most common causes of skin infections in the U.S.
• Staph is usually found on the skin or in the noses of healthy people. This is called colonization.
• The majority of Staph infections are minor (pimples or boils)
• Staph can also cause more serious infections such as surgical wounds infections and pneumonia that require special antiobiotics for treatment.

What is MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphlococcus Aureus)?
• MRSA is a type of Staph germ that is hard to treat with some commonly used antibiotic medicines. It has developed something called resistance, or the inability of certain antibiotics to kill the germ.
• Because of resistance, MRSA can be hard to treat and can lead to life-threatening blood or bone infections.

What does MRSA infection look like?
• It is often misdiagnosed as a spider bite.
• Symptoms may include redness, warmth, swelling, pus, skin tenderness, pimples, boils, or blisters.
• MRSA-infected skin lesions (sores) can change from skin to surface irritations to abscesses or serious skin infections.
• If left untreated, MRSA can infect blood and bones.

How is MRSA spread?
• MRSA lives on skin and survives on objects and surfaces for more than 24 hours.
• Drainage (pus) from skin sores can spread bacteria to other body parts or to other people.
• MRSA infections can be found in places where there are crowds of people such as schools, gyms, and jails.
• MRSA is almost always spread by direct, physical contact.
• MRSA is also spread through touching objects such as towels, sheets, workout areas and sports equipment that have MRSA germs on them.

How do I know for sure that I have MRSA?
• A sample of the infected wound is used to grow the bacteria in the microbiology laboratory. This is called a culture.
• Once the MRSA are growing, they are tested to see which antibiotics will be effective for treating the infection.
• If the Staph germs that were cultured cannot be killed with standard antibiotics then the infection is called MRSA.

What kind of treatment can I get for my MRSA infection?
• Many MRSA infections can be treated by draining the abscess or boil and may not require anitibiotics.
• Only healthcare providers should drain sores.
• Always keep draining sores covered to prevent others from getting sick.
• Most MRSA infections are treatable with antibiotics. If your case is severe, you may need to very strong antibiotics that can only be given in a hospital.

How can I prevent MRSA infections?
• According to the CDC, practicing the following good hygiene will help prevent skin infections:
• Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water.
• Keep cuts clean and covered with a proper dressing or bandage until they are healed.
• Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or anything contaminated by a wound.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as razors, towels, uniforms and sports equipment that directly touches your body.
• Clean and disinfect objects (Such as gym and sports equipment) before use.
• Wash dirty clothes, linens and towels with hot water and laundry detergent. Using a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria.
• Avoid using unecessary antibiotics.
• For more information, go to http://health.state.ga.us
(This information provided by the Georgia Division of Public Health)

Sincerely,

Russell E. Sowell
Principal