Questions and Answers Regarding Staph Infections

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Questions and Answers Regarding Staph Infections
Excerpts taken from the VHSL Informational
Statement on MRSA and Sports Participation
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What is MRSA?

• Staphylococcus Aureus is a bacteria that is very
  common. MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant
  Staphylococcus Aureus. Methicillin is a strong
  antibiotic to which a particular strain of staph
  is resistant.

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What diseases does Staph aureus cause?

• Staph is the most common cause of skin infections
  in our society, and these infections are usually
  easily treated. The potential for staph to cause
  much more serious diseases in the blood or an
  organ exists in individuals with poor immunity,
  with delayed or inappropriate treatment of mild
  disease, or with infection with resistant
  bacteria such as MRSA.

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How does one develop a Staphylococcus infection?

• Self-infection Many of us carry staph bacteria
  harmlessly on our bodies. Any break through the
  skin, such as a bite, scrape, or scratch allows
  easier entry of these bacteria into our body and
  can result in a localized skin infection.

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How does one develop a Staphylococcus infection?

• Contagiousness Staph is not considered an
  airborne bacteria and therefore spread should
  not be expected to occur by sitting in a
  classroom with an infected individual or from
  passing them on the street.

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How does one develop a Staphylococcus infection?

• Infection can occur from direct contact with an
  open wound, especially if you have an open area
  on your skin as well.

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How does one develop a Staphylococcus infection?

• Infection can also develop from exposure to a
  towel, piece of equipment, or other item that has
  been contaminated by discharge from an infected
  wound.

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How does one develop a MRSA infection?

• Since MRSA is just a different strain of
  staphylococcal infection, the same methods for
  contracting any staph infection apply. Because
  MRSA strains may not respond to initial
  treatment, the risk for progression to a more
  serious disease is greater with MRSA than with
  other strains of staph.

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How can one prevent infection with staph or MRSA?

• Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap
  and water or using an alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a
  bandage until healed.
• Avoid contact with other peoples wounds or
  bandages.

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How can one prevent infection with staph or MRSA?

• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels.
• Shower after physical activity or sports.
• Properly clean and disinfect sporting equipment
  and gear.

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How can one prevent infection with staph or MRSA?

• Each classroom has been provided with a bottle of
  hand sanitizing lotion. Use the lotion if you
  feel your hands need to be cleaned.
• The cafeterias will soon be equipped with hand
  sanitizing lotion stations for student and
  faculty use.
• The school has been professionally cleaned in
  areas where cross contamination can occur.

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What do I do if I think I have a staph infection?

• If you are concerned that you might have a staph
  infection, immediately see your doctor and
  contact the school nurse and administration.

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Questions and Answers Regarding Staph Infections

• Remember, good hygiene is the key to the
  prevention of any type of staph infection.