... MRSA ... CA-MRSA is a type of Staph infection that i

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Working in a CMS? Know the Facts
AboutCommunity Associated MRSA(CA-MRSA)
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Facts, not Fiction

• Correct information is essential because
• knowledge eliminates speculation.

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CA-MRSA What Is It?

• Community Associated- Methicillin Resistant
  Staphylococcus aureus is caused by Staph
  bacteria
• Staph bacteria are commonly found in the nose and
  on the skin
• Staph is normally harmless but can cause
  infections on the skin and in other parts of body
• CA-MRSA is a type of Staph infection that is
  resistant to some antibiotics like Penicillin

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How Do You Get CA-MRSA?

• Sometimes when bacteria enters the skin through a
  cut or scrape
• Sometimes by close skin to skin contact with an
  infected persons wound
• Sometimes by sharing sports equipment or personal
  items such as towels or razors
• By not cleaning a cut or scrape properly
• Overuse of antibiotics or not finishing
  prescribed antibiotics

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What Does CA-MRSA Look Like?

• Usually a skin infection that looks like pustules
  or boils. Can also look like a pimple or spider
  bite.
• Usually red, painful, and swollen and sometime
  contains pus.
• Usually occurs at the site of a cut, scrape or
  break in the skin.

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CA-MRSA Skin Infection
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How Is It Treated?

• Healthcare providers
• Culture to find out if it is CA-MRSA
• Drain and clean the infection and/or
• Give antibiotics (in certain cases antibiotics
  may not be used)
• Cover the wound with a secure bandage on all four
  sides if it is draining

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Proper Wound Care

• If you have an infection you should
• CLEAN the wound daily with soap and water
• COVER with a dry, secure bandage after cleaning
• FINISH all prescribed antibiotics
• AVOID sharing personal items at school or at home

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Exclude from School or Sports?

• Unless directed by a physician, students and
  staff with CA-MRSA should not be excluded from
  attending school or work.
• It is not required, but is our practice, to
  inform the school community about confirmed
• CA-MRSA.
• If an athlete has an infection with drainage they
  should be excluded from participation until the
  wound is dry with no further drainage.

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Prevention

• Wash hands often with warm soap and water
• Clean all cuts and scrapes well with soap and
  water
• Cover wounds with dry bandage until healed
• Report suspicious skin sores to a parent, school
  nurse and/or doctor
• Do not share personal items such as towels,
  clothing, or razors

• Shower after physical activity
• Wash athletic clothing after use
• Clean and disinfect shared athletic equipment
  after use
• Athletes must securely cover with a bandage any
  skin lesion before potential physical contact
• Athletic and Physical education departments show
  CA-MRSA video to ALL ATHLETES

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Practical Advice for Teachers/Athletic Staff

• Refer any student with a pustular skin rash or
  any open draining wounds to the school nurse.
• Enforce good hand washing with soap and water.
  This is the single best measure to help prevent
  the spread of any communicable disease.
• Coaches should ensure athletes wash their hands,
  cover any wounds, and not share any personal
  items and towels.

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Guidelines

• Maintain confidentiality by not discussing health
  issues of students or staff with other students
  or staff
• No form of quarantine is necessary
• Routine but thorough environmental cleaning is
  sufficient in most cases. (CMS uses EPA
  registered products). Weight rooms and equipment
  should be cleaned more frequently.

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More Information

• Your School Nurse
• Mecklenburg County Health Department
• web site www.meckhealth.org
• CMS website www.cms.k12.nc.us
• CDC website www.cdc.gov

This presentation is a collaborative effort
between the Mecklenburg County Health Department
and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools