Recent news stories have brought newly found attention to commonly diagnosed infections caused by MRSA, or Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Pinal Co. Public Health officials are reminding citizens of simple precautions to prevent MRSA infections.
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to as “Staph,” are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the noses of healthy people. Staph can sometimes cause infections. Most of these skin infections are minor & can be treated without antibiotics. Staph, can sometimes cause serious infections that must be treated with antibiotics. Some strains of staph are resistant to antibiotics. MRSA is a type of staph that's resistant to a group of antibiotics that includes penicillin, methicillin, & amoxicillin. However, it can be treated with other antibiotics.
The most effective way to prevent MRSA is to practice good hygiene. For example:
1. Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap & water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Keep cuts and scrapes clean & covered with a bandage until healed.
3. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
4. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
If you've been diagnosed with MRSA you can prevent spreading it to others by following these steps:
1. Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on proper care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph & MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others. Bandages or tape can be discarded with the regular trash.
2. Clean your hands. You, your family, & others in close contact should wash their hands frequently with soap & warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected wound.
3. Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing or uniforms that may have had contact with the infected wound or bandage. Wash sheets, towels & clothes with warm water & laundry detergent if they are soiled or had contact with the infected area. Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes.
4. Talk to your doctor. Tell any healthcare providers who treat you that you have or had a staph or MRSA skin infection.
For more information about MRSA, call the Pinal Co. Public Health at (520) 866-7355, or the Arizona Dept. of Health Services at (602) 364-4562.
You can also find info concerning staph and MRSA infections on the Az. Dept. of Health Services website at: azdhs.gov/phs/oids/epi/disease/mrsa/mrsa_g.