Staph or CA-MRSA infection alert
There is considerable mention in local and national news media about the dramatic rise in Staphylococcus aureus, or as it’s more commonly referred to - “staph”. According to the Center for Disease Control web site, 25% to 30% of the population is colonized (when bacteria are present, but not causing an infection) in the nose with staph bacteria. Sometimes the bacteria can cause an infection.
Staph bacteria are the most common cause of minor skin infections (such as pimples or boils) and can be treated with antibiotics. However, staph can also cause serious wound infections, bloodstream infections, pneumonia or death.
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain of staph that is resistant to antibiotics in the pencillin family. Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) is MRSA that is contracted outside the normal hospital or nursing care scenario by otherwise healthy people.
Staph and MRSA are spread by close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, and poor hygiene, and can best be prevented by good hygiene practices.
If you believe that you have a staph or MRSA infection, see your health care provider as soon as possible. If after visiting the healthcare provider the infection is not getting better, contact them again. If others you know or live with get the same infection they should also go to their healthcare provider.
MRSA – methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. A strain of staph bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics, found frequently in hospital or nursing home patients or following surgical procedures or dialysis.
CA-MRSA – Community-associated MRSA. Staph and MRSA found in people who have not been exposed through hospital or nursing home facilities, nor exposed recently through wound sites or contaminated equipment. Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually found in otherwise healthy people as skin infections, such as pimples or boils.
Staph bacteria are the most common cause of minor skin infections (such as pimples or boils) and can be treated with antibiotics. However, staph can also cause serious wound infections, bloodstream infections, pneumonia or death.
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain of staph that is resistant to antibiotics in the pencillin family. Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) is MRSA that is contracted outside the normal hospital or nursing care scenario by otherwise healthy people.
Staph and MRSA are spread by close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, and poor hygiene, and can best be prevented by good hygiene practices.
- Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
- Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, tweezers, etc.
- Dispose of dressings and bandages in a separate trash bag and close the bag tightly before throwing it out with regular garbage.
- Disinfect all non-clothing and non-disposable items that come in contact with an infected wound.
- Wash soiled linens and clothes with hot water and laundry detergent. Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes.
- Wash utensils and dishes with soap and hot water or use a standard home dishwasher.
- Avoid participating in contact sports or other skin-to-skin contact until an infected wound has healed.
- Shower after working out.
- Use a barrier (clothing or towel) between your skin and shared equipment.
- Wipe surfaces of equipment before and after use.
If you believe that you have a staph or MRSA infection, see your health care provider as soon as possible. If after visiting the healthcare provider the infection is not getting better, contact them again. If others you know or live with get the same infection they should also go to their healthcare provider.
Definitions:
Staphylococcus Aureus – A bacteria often referred to as “staph”.MRSA – methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. A strain of staph bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics, found frequently in hospital or nursing home patients or following surgical procedures or dialysis.
CA-MRSA – Community-associated MRSA. Staph and MRSA found in people who have not been exposed through hospital or nursing home facilities, nor exposed recently through wound sites or contaminated equipment. Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually found in otherwise healthy people as skin infections, such as pimples or boils.