DUBOIS – MRSA has been the topic for many families and news sources, lately. But it is something that can be handled with a knowledge and common-sense, according to the Infection Control Department at DuBois Regional Medical Center.
What is it?
MRSA is the abbreviation for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that grow in many places. Staph can live harmlessly on the surface of the skin, and about 25-30 percent of the population has staph living on them, according to the Center for Disease Control. If the skin is punctured or broken for any reason, staph bacteria can enter the wound and cause an infection. It is then treated with antibiotics.
MRSA is a different form of staph because it is resistant to methicillin and other antibiotics, such as penicillins and cephalosporins.
Hospitals and nursing homes are always on the look-out for MSRA. When it affects someone outside of the medical-setting, it is called community-acquired
MRSA (or CA-MRSA). And for the past several years, episodes of it have been increasing.
CA-MRSA spreads among people who are in close proximity to each other, such as school children, athletes, new military recruits and prisoners, according to the CDC.
How is it spread?
It is spread easily among healthy people by hands, skin-to-skin contact, draining wounds, respiratory secretions and skin-to-skin contact. It can also live in urine, blood and other body fluids.
People can come in contact with it from many areas. It can live on hard surfaces and hands. It is not airborne.
CA-MRSA is usually spread among those who share razors, towels, uniforms, equipment, or hygiene and beauty products.
What do the infections look like?
CA-MRSA infection starts as small, painful red bumps that look like pimples, “spider bites” or boils. CA-MRSA makes toxins that cause a lot of redness, pain and inflammation.
To know for sure, talk to your doctor. Keep the infection covered with clean, dry bandages, especially if it has pus or other drainage.
CA-MRSA is treatable, and while being treated, follow the prevention tips to help stop the spread to other people.
Prevention
To prevent getting infected with CA-MRSA, use common-sense.
• Wash your hands. Careful hand washing remains the best defense. This stops you from spreading a germ to an open area on your body. Scrub hands briskly for at least 15-20 seconds, dry them with a disposable towel and use another towel to turn off the faucet.
• Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer containing at least 62 percent alcohol for times when you don’t have access to soap and water.
• Have clean hands before preparing food and eating. Do not share utensils or take bites of someone else’s food. Wash dishes in hot soapy water or a dishwasher. Disposable plates and utensils are not necessary.
• Keep personal items personal. Avoid sharing towels, sheets, razors, clothing and athletic equipment. CA-MRSA spreads through contaminated objects.
• Keep wounds covered. Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal. This keeps germs out and, if you are infected, others will be safe. The pus from sores can contain CA-MRSA. Keeping wounds covered will help keep the bacteria from spreading on you and on others. Dispose of contaminated bandages so others do not come in contact with them.
• Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
• Wear disposable gloves when handling any body fluids, especially blood. Wash hands after removing the gloves. If you are treating your own wound and not wearing gloves, wash your hands or use an alcohol-based wipe on your hands before and after. If someone is injured and gloves are not available, help them care for their own wound without you touching it.
• Clean spills of blood or body fluids immediately. Use disinfectant to clean your home. Use a disinfectant or bleach-water solution.
• Wash clothes in after each wearing, especially gym or sports uniforms that may have had contact with your own or someone else’s infected wound. Clothes with blood or body fluids should be washed in its own load.
• Sanitize linens. If you have a cut or sore, wash towels and bed linens in hot water with added bleach and dry them in a hot dryer.
Pay attention to cleanliness and hand washing. It will keep you and others healthy.