It used to be that MRSA was found mostly among those who spent time in a hospital. Now, more and more people in the community, including teenagers, are being infected with this concerning bacteria. Knowing more about it will help you to protect yourself and your family.
What is MRSA?
You may have heard of MRSA (pronounced mersa), but what is it exactly? MRSA stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus or “Staph” is a bacteria that can cause skin infections along with other illnesses. These skin infections can look like pimples or boils. The skin can be red, swollen, painful or have pus or other drainage. MRSA is a version of this common bacteria that is resistant to the antibiotics most frequently used for skin infections.
Is MRSA or staph treatable?
Yes. Most staph and MRSA infections are treatable with antibiotics. If your child is given an antibiotic, make sure he or she takes all of the doses, even if the infection is getting better, unless otherwise directed by your health care provider. Sometimes the infection in the skin looks like it is getting better, even though the bacteria that caused the infection are not all killed, so it is important to take an antibiotic as directed. If directed to discontinue the antibiotic, do not save it for a later infection or give it to someone else. Only a doctor or other licensed health care provider can prescribe medication.
Some staph infections, even MRSA, may be treated by draining the abscess or boil and may not require antibiotics. Drainage of skin boils or abscesses should only be done by a healthcare provider, so do not attempt to do this yourself and don't let your teen try to do it. You can be causing more damage or you can spread the infection to other sites. If you have a question about how your teen is being treated, don't hesitate to ask. Being informed about your child's condition and how it is being treated is an important part of protecting your teenager's health.
What can we do to keep from getting MRSA or staph?
Good hygiene is the best protection from MRSA or staph!
- Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Keep any cuts or scrapes on the skin clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
- Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
- Avoid sharing personal items like towels or razors.
- After participating in gym class or after other athletic activity at school, taking a shower can reduce the bacteria that are left on the skin.
- Wipe off any athletic equipment, such as a treadmill, before using it. This cuts down on the number of bacteria that can be picked up from touching the equipment.
My teen has MRSA. What can he or she do to keep from spreading it?
- Cover the wound. Keep any wounds that are draining pus or have pus in them covered with clean, dry bandages. Follow the healthcare provider’s instructions on proper care of the wound. Pus from the wound can contain staph or MRSA, so keeping the infection covered helps prevent it from spreading to others. Bandages and tape can be thrown away with the regular trash (but keep young children away from this type of garbage!).
- Use good hand hygiene. Keep hands clean to avoid spreading the bacteria by washing hands frequently or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items like towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms that may have had contact with the infected wound or bandage. Wash sheets, towels and clothes that have become dirty with water and laundry detergent. Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes.
- Talk to the doctor. Tell any healthcare providers who treat your teen that he or she has a staph or MRSA skin infection. That will allow the provider to take precautions when coming in contact with your teen. Preventing the spread of this bacteria is the best "medicine" for all of us.
Sources:
Community-Associated MRSA Information for the Public. Centers for Disease Control. October 19, 2008. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_public.html Health Department Suggests Measures to Reduce the Spread of MRSA. Pennsylvania Department of Health. October 19, 2008. http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?Q=248944&A=190
