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ADPH addresses public’s staph fears
By Peggy Blackburn -- Managing Editor
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During a Monday press conference, state health officer Dr. Donald Williamson endeavored to alleviate some of the public’s growing fears about the spread of Methicillin-resistant Staphy-lococcus aureus (MRSA).
Concerns about staph -- particularly the tougher-to-treat MRSA strain -- have escalated in recent weeks because of reports of increased cases of the illness.
Williamson said the most effective response is practicing scrupulous personal hygiene asa preventive measure.
“Staph is among us, but it is not a reason to prevent children from attending day care centers, students from attending class or athletes from participating in contact sports,” said Wil-liam-son. “Handwashing with soap and hot water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and covering wounds are the best ways to prevent its spread.”
Elmore County is not immune to the more treatment-resistant variety of staph.
“I have received official word of one case,” said Judy Caton, public information officer for the Elmore County Board of Education. “That one is at Holtville Elementary School, and the student is being treated with antibiotics by a physician and is responding well.”
Williamson said that MRSA bacteria is everywhere, including about 30 percent of individuals’ skin and in their noses without causing disease.
Staph can sometimes enter the body and cause infection, which can be minor, such as boils, or serious, such as blood infections and pneumonia. Infections can look like a spider bite, a large, red painful bump under the skin (boil), a cut that is swollen, hot and filled with pus, or blisters filled with fluid. Almost all skin infections can be treated by draining the area. The spread of community-acquired MRSA can be prevented by keeping the wound clean and changing bandages frequently.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention case studies indicate that 85 percent of severe cases of MRSA are related to health care settings. MRSA occasionally can cause severe and life-threatening infections.
“MRSA infections are probably increasing. The germ occurs frequently and occasionally can cause severe and life-threatening infections,” said Dr. Charles Woernle, assistant state health officer for disease control and prevention. “This is because the organism has acquired resistance to common antibiotics, and so it can be very difficult to treat and cure.”
“Overuse of antibiotics and use of more powerful drugs than necessary for less serious infections can be causing the emergence of more drug-resistant strains of the organism,” said Fred Grady, director of the health department’s epdemiology division. “These resistant bacteria survive and multiply, leading to antibiotic resistance.”
Guidelines to help prevent the spread of MRSA in school settings:
• Avoid sharing personal items and skin care products such as clothing, balms and moisturizers.
• Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water for 15 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed. Do not pick scabs.
• Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
• Wash hands immediately after changing a bandage.
• Seek medical attention if a wound does not heal properly or appears to be infected.
• Encourage students and teachers to report known or suspected MRSA infections to the school nurse.
Guidelines to help prevent the spread of MRSA in sports settings:
• Cover all wounds, change bandages frequently, and assure containment of any drainage. If the wound cannot be covered or there is uncontrolled drainage from the wound, athletes should not be permitted to participate in any contact sport at practice or competition.
• Encourage good hygiene among athletes, including showering using soap after all practices and competitions.
• Clean equipment bags frequently. Be sure to dry these articles on the hottest possible cycle to kill bacteria.
• Do not share towels or personal items such as clothing and equipment.
• Clean shared equipment, including mats, with a bleach to water solution of one tablespoon to one quart of water freshened daily.
• Train athletes, coaches, and trainers in first aid for wounds and to recognize wounds that may be infected.
• Assess athletes regularly for skin infections.
