MRSA Transmission in Schools

What Every Parent Should Know About Staphylocococcus Skin Infections

Dec 6, 2007

MRSA infection is a matter of concern for parents and facilities like schools where crowding, lack of cleanliness and contact with contaminated items are more common.

Skin Infection and Staphylococcus aureus

Skin infection can be caused by a number of different microorganisms. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common sources of skin infection. Infection with strains of Staphylococcus aureus that have developed resistance to methicillin and in some cases numerous others antibiotics and previously was considered a problem associated with hospitals (i.e. hospital acquired or hospital associated) have now appeared in our communities (i.e. community acquired or community associated).

The awareness surrounding MRSA in settings with factors that promote MRSA transmission (5 Cs), has excited marketers and caused anxiety among parents. As manufacturers develop products to sterilize the environment, public health officials work to educate and reassure the public on the potential risks and measures to reduce MRSA transmission.

How Can I Prevent MRSA Transmission?

MRSA is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or through contact with items contaminated by infected sites. MRSA may live in nasal passages and even on skin normally without causing any problem. However, when MRSA enters the body through breaks in the skin it can cause infection, sometimes serious.

Reduce MRSA transmission:

If you have a wound, lesion or infected site, cover the area to prevent exposure (both risk of getting infected and risk of infecting others through abrasion contact).
Keep wounds bandaged with clean dry bandages until healed.

Note: It is not necessary to treat contaminated waste from wounds (e.g. tape, bandages, dressings, etc.) differently from other waste. Dressings, bandages and tape can be disposed of with other regular waste.

Wash your hands frequently and regularly (e.g. after handling bandages or touching the infected wound) .

Note: It is not necessary to use special disinfectants or soaps: use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Do NOT share personal items (e.g. towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, uniforms, etc.).

How Can Schools Reduce MRSA Transmission?

Schools envelope all of the 5 Cs, the factors associated with increased MRSA transmission in the community (i.e. community acquired or community associated). Therefore, schools are a likely setting in which to find MRSA infections.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed guidelines to prevent MRSA infections in schools.

Educate:

good hygiene
infection control
on wound care
against sharing of personal items (e.g. towels, razors, toothbrushes, etc.).
on measures to reduce MRSA transmission in the locker room or the sports arena

Promote:

regular hand-washing
hand hygiene
skin care
wound hygiene
wound care
and promote covering of wounds.
good daily hygiene (e.g. daily showers with soap and water)
cleansing of sports and gymnasium equipment after and between uses
wearing gloves when handling dirty team laundry
wearing gloves when handling or caring for the wound of another person

Staphylococcal infection begins when staphylococcus enters the body: keeping the skin healthy and intact reduces the risk of infection.

Provide:

hand-cleansers: soap and water, and alcohol-based hand cleansers in areas where sinks are not available
clean sinks, showers and toilets
properly maintained and cleaned sports and gymnasium equipment: disinfected after use
clean towels, sheets, uniforms: washed in hot water and detergent, and dried at hottest setting
clean equipment and supplies: disinfected after use

Source(s):

The copyright of the article MRSA Transmission in Schools in Microbiology is owned by Judy Arbique. Permission to republish MRSA Transmission in Schools in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.