CAMRSA in Schools

1
CA-MRSA in Schools

• What is it?
• What does it mean to me?
• How do I protect myself?

2
Objectives

• Understand what Community Acquired
  Methicillin-resistant Staphylococus aureus (MRSA)
  is
• Identify at risk groups for MRSA
• Identify possible symptoms of MRSA infection
• Understand how to prevent MRSA in the school
  setting

3
Important facts

• Staphylococus aureus (Staph)
• Common bacteria found on the skin
• Acquired through direct contact (individuals and
  objects)
• Some carriers have no symptoms
• Found in nose, armpit, groin and similar areas
• Causes skin infections and soft tissue infections
  such as boils and impetigo
• Can cause pneumonia and bloodstream infections
• Treatment with antibiotics

4
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococus aureus (MRSA)

• Cannot be treated with common penicillin-like
  antibiotics
• In the past, generally confined to hospitals,
  nursing homes, long-term care
• Community acquired Methicillin-resistant
  Staphylococus aureus (CA-MRSA) more common
• Dramatic increase among athletes

5
History of Staph MRSA in Athletics

• 1984-seen in a rugby team in London
• 1986-outlook of boils in a football and
  basketball team in Kentucky
• 1993-1st case of MRSA in a wrestling team in
  Vermont
• 2002/03-drastic increase in MRSA in fencers,
  football wrestlers in CA, IN, CO
• 2004/05-spread to high school/college and
  professional athletes ( esp. football and
  basketball)

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What do you look for?

• Often mistaken for spider bites
• Often appears as boils or ingrown hairs (mainly
  in armpits, groin, neck and buttocks)
• Cellulitis- redness of the soft tissue, may see
  red streaks
• Unexplained fever, muscular pain, and/or
  fatigue-especially in the months following a skin
  infection

7
MRSA wound
Examples of MRSA wound infections
False Spider bite
Weeping MRSA wound
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How do you avoid MRSA?

• Personal Hygiene is Key!
• Wash hands often
• Shower after workouts and contact with other
  players
• Use alcohol-based sanitizers during workouts and
  games
• Launder uniforms/athletic gear in hot water and
  dry in hot dryer

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Continued

• Sanitize athletic equipment with Clorox Anywhere
  after use-MRSA can live on surfaces for up to 300
  days
• Open wounds should be covered with a bandage that
  attaches to all sides (dispose of carefully and
  wash hands)
• Never share or borrow towels, razors, soap, or
  other personal items

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When to contact physician for skin infections ?

• Keep an eye on minor skin problems especially
  in small children
• If wounds become infected see a doctor
• Ask to have MRSA testing done before starting
  antibiotic
• Drugs used in ordinary staph do not work
• Their use could lead to serious illness and more
  resistant bacteria

11
Prevention

• Wash hands or use alcohol based hand rubs often
• Do not ask for antibiotics for viral illnesses
  such as colds, flu they will not help
• If you visit someone in the hospital follow
  infection control precautions closely
• Wash your hands , wash your hands!

12
For further information

• Feel free to contact the Infection Control
  Practitioners at Trinity Medical Center
• Marvis Hafner, RN-779-2854
• Patricia Herath, RN-779-2795

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References

• http//www/cdc.gov/ncidod/dhpq/ar_mrsa.html
• http//www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/ community/
• http//mayoclinic.com/health/staph-infections/D500
  793
• Association for Professionals in Infection
  Control and Epidemiology
• http//www.mrsaresouces.com