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MRSA, What you need to know!
10/29/2007 10:00:00 AM
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
What is Staphylococcus aureus?
Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria that belongs to a group known as “staph”.Staph bacteria are one of the most frequent causes of skin infections.These skin infections are minor most of the time, but staph can also cause serious infections. Staph is commonly found on the skin or in the nose of healthy people.Approximately 25%-30% of the population are colonized with staph (i.e., carry the bacteria without becoming ill).Staph can cause a minor skin infection (pimple, pustule, or boil) that can be treated conservatively, without antibiotics.However, on occasion, staph bacteria can cause more serious illnesses, such as infections involving soft tissue, bone, bloodstream or the lungs.
What is MRSA?
MRSA is an abbreviation for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus which are staph bacteria that have become resistant to certain antibiotics, making them more difficult to treat.Staph bacteria are not spread through the air.MRSA is resistant to methiciliin (one type of antibiotic), however, it is completely treatable and susceptible to various other types of antibiotics.Infections caused by MRSA have historically been associated with ill persons in health-care institutions (e.g., hospital and long-term care facilities).Approximately only 1% of those colonized with staph are colonized with MRSA.
What is CA-MRSA?
CA-MRSA is known as community-associated MRSA and has emerged as a cause of skin and soft tissue infections in previously healthy adults and children who have not had prior contact with health-care settings.
How is CA-MRSA transmitted?
CA-MRSA can be transmitted from person to person through close contact.Risk factors associated with the spread of CA-MRSA include, physical contact (direct skin-to-skin contact with colonized or infected persons), compromised skin (non-intact skin serves as a point of entry for the bacteria), contaminated surfaces and shared items (sharing contaminated personal items like towels, razors, soap, clothing), cleanliness, and living in crowded settings.
How do I minimize the risk for the spread of infection?
Practice good basic hygiene and be diligent with hand hygiene.Individuals must wash their hands using soap and warm water or, if hand-washing facilities are not available use an alcohol-based waterless hand sanitizer.Good overall hygiene should also be practiced, including showering and washing with soap after any physical contact, all sports practices and competitions, before and after being in the gymnasium, or immersing in a whirlpool, hot tub or swimming pool.
Individuals should not share personal hygiene supplies such as soap, razors, athletic clothing, towels, uniforms, skin balms, and skin lubricants.
Clothes and other soiled items (e.g. towels and sheets) should be washed with hot water and laundry detergent as appropriate.Items should be dried in a hot air dryer to help eliminate bacteria when possible.
Resources:
MRSA Pamphlet
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