Facts About Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ( MRSA )
November 03, 2007
What is MRSA?
• A potentially deadly staph infection
How is MRSA spread?
• By skin to skin contact
• By touching contaminated articles
Symptoms
- Infected pimples, boils or cuts that are red, swollen, painful, and have pus type drainage
- Pain at infection site
- Elevated temp
Prevention
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, (wash for at least 20 seconds) especially after going to the bathroom, after PE, before meals or anytime you may come in contact with soiled items.
- Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer when unable to wash hands, apply sanitizer and rub into skin until dry
- Do not use other people’s personal care items or clothing.
- Keep all wounds covered.
- If you have a draining wound seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- If you have a skin abscess, contact a physician and have the abscess drained and cultured to rule out a MRSA infection
Treatment
- MRSA is treated with certain kinds of antibiotics
- Most antibiotics are give through an IV
- Topical ointments will be applied to the wound site and kept covered with a dressing.
