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- MRSA: Understand your risk and how to prevent infection
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MRSA: Understand your risk and how to prevent infection
Is MRSA spreading rampantly, or is it just being monitored more closely?
Staph infections have always been among the most common, and potentially the most serious, infections. The proportion of those infections now resistant to antibiotics (MRSA) has risen in comparison with those without such antibiotic resistance. This may be because of overuse and misuse of antibiotics and transmission of the bacteria between hospital patients. Also, the number of people at risk of such infections — such as those with a chronic illness, on kidney dialysis, exposed in a health care setting, or who use intravenous catheters or other implanted medical devices — has steadily risen with changes in health care and an aging population.
What's the best defense against MRSA in the community?
Protecting yourself from MRSA in the community — which might be just about anywhere — may seem daunting, but these common-sense precautions can help reduce your risk:
- Wash your hands. Careful hand washing remains your best defense against germs. Scrub hands briskly for at least 15 seconds, then dry them with a disposable towel and use another towel to turn off the faucet. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer containing at least 62 percent alcohol for times when you don't have access to soap and water.
- Keep personal items personal. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, razors, clothing and athletic equipment. MRSA spreads on contaminated objects as well as through direct contact.
- Keep wounds covered. Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal. The pus from infected sores may contain MRSA, and keeping wounds covered will help keep the bacteria from spreading.
- Shower after athletic games or practices. Shower immediately after each game or practice. Use soap and water. Don't share towels.
- Sit out athletic games or practices if you have a concerning infection. If you have a wound that's draining or appears infected — for example is red, swollen, warm to the touch or tender — consider sitting out athletic games or practices until the wound has healed.
- Sanitize linens. If you have a cut or sore, wash towels and bed linens in a washing machine set to the "hot" water setting (with added bleach, if possible) and dry them in a hot dryer. Wash gym and athletic clothes after each wearing.
- Get tested. If you have a skin infection that requires treatment, ask your doctor if you should be tested for MRSA. Doctors may prescribe drugs that aren't effective against antibiotic-resistant staph, which delays treatment and creates more resistant germs. Testing specifically for MRSA may get you the specific antibiotic you need to effectively treat your infection.
- Use antibiotics appropriately. When you're prescribed an antibiotic, take all of the doses, even if the infection is getting better. Don't stop until your doctor tells you to stop. Don't share antibiotics with others or save unfinished antibiotics for another time. Inappropriate use of antibiotics, including not taking all of your prescription and overuse, contributes to resistance. If your infection isn't improving after a few days of taking an antibiotic, contact your doctor.
Is it necessary to sanitize buses and close schools for cleaning?
Most MRSA is spread through skin-to-skin contact or through shared items such as towels, razors and bandages. In most cases, it's not necessary to close schools unless an outbreak of MRSA cannot be controlled otherwise. It's possible that surfaces — such as a bus seat — may be contaminated for hours to days, but infection is not a likely result. Following the tips above is the most effective means of preventing MRSA infection.
If you suspect an MRSA infection, what should you do?
Closely watch minor skin problems — pimples, insect bites, cuts and scrapes — especially in children and older adults. If wounds become infected, see your doctor. Indications of an infected wound include increasing skin redness, swelling, warmth, tenderness, pus drainage and sometimes fever. If you test positive for staph infection, ask that the skin culture growing staph be tested for MRSA. Drugs that treat ordinary staph aren't effective against MRSA. Using these ineffective drugs could lead to serious illness and more resistant bacteria.
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