Antibiotic Resistant Staph Infections

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Antibiotic Resistant Staph Infections
MRSA Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus
aureus Thomas Morgan, MS, ATC, PES Head Athletic
Trainer
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MRSA What is it?

• Objective
• To provide an overview of what methicillin
  resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is, and
  discuss recognition, prevention and treatment
  strategies you can take.

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MRSA History

• Background
• MRSA on rise in athletes
• Documented outbreaks in various settings
• High School
• College
• Professional Sports

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MRSA What is it?

• Staphylococcus aureus often referred to as
  staph
• Bacteria commonly carried on skin or in nose of
  healthy people
• Occasionally will cause infection
• Most common cause of skin infection in US
• Most are minor infections
• Pimples, pustules, and boils
• Red, swollen, painful and have pus or other
  drainage
• May be confused with insect bites

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MRSA What is it?

• Most staph infections can be treated without
  antibiotics
• Staph can cause serious infections
• Most serious infections were treated with
  penicillin based antiobitics
• Recently staph has become resistant to these
  drugs
• The resistant bacteria are called MRSA
• They can be found on the skin, and in the nose of
  people without causing illness

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Transmission

• Staph and MRSA can spread among persons having
  close contact (lockerrooms)
• MRSA is almost always spread by direct contact
  and not air
• Spread may also occur through indirect contact by
  touching objects contaminated by the infected
  skin of a person with MRSA or staph (Towels,
  Sheets, wound dressings, clothing, workout areas,
  sport equipment)

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Recognition

• MRSA infections often appear as
• small pustules or boils
• Wounds may be
• Red
• Swollen
• Painful
• Discharge of puss is also possible
• Often misdiagnosed as
• Insect bites
• Ingrown hairs
• Other bacterial infections

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Seeking Treatment

• Inform the appropriate health care personnel for
  active skin infections while at school (school
  nurse or athletic trainer)
• Early reporting is important
• Seek early care
• Receive proper first aid from appropriate
  provider (school nurse or athletic trainer)
• Initial evaluation and basic first aid
• Receive appropriate follow up care for suspected
  cases (medical doctor)
• Wound Care
• Culture wound
• Pharmacological/supportive treatment if necessary
  and prescribed by medical doctor

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Prevention

• Recommendations
• Keep hands clean by washing with soap and warm
  water or an alcohol based sanitizer
• Immediate shower following activity
• Encourage good hygiene
• Ensure availability of adequate soap and hot
  water
• Pump soap dispensers with antibacterial soap no
  bar soaps
• Avoid common whirlpools or tubs if you have open
  wounds
• Avoid sharing towels, razors, and daily athletic
  gear
• Avoid cosmetic shaving (males) Care and cover
  skin lesions prior to sports participation once
  permitted
• Any wounds must be covered until healed
• If they cannot be covered the athlete will be
  excluded from play
• Properly wash athletic gear and towels after each
  use

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Prevention

• Good basic hygiene is important for overall
  prevention

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Thank You for Your Attention