What you need to know about MRSA:   The following information has been taken directly from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  For complete information visit

 http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools/

What type of infections does MRSA cause?

• In the community most MRSA infections are skin infections that may appear as pustules or boils which are often red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage.  These skin infections commonly occur at sites of visible skin trauma, such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair (e.g., back of neck, groin, buttock, armpit, beard area of men).

• Almost all MRSA skin infections can be effectively treated by drainage of pus with or without antibiotics.  More serious infections, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or bone infections, are very rare in healthy people who get MRSA skin infections.

How is MRSA transmitted?

MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's infection (e.g., towels, used bandages).

How do I protect myself from getting MRSA?

You can protect yourself by:

• practicing good hygiene (e.g., keeping  your hands clean by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and showering immediately after participating in exercise);

• covering skin trauma such as abrasions or cuts with a clean dry bandage until healed;

• avoiding sharing personal items (e.g., towels, razors) that come into contact with your bare skin; and using a barrier (e.g., clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment such as weight-training bench;

• maintaining a clean environment by establishing cleaning procedures for frequently touched surfaces and surfaces that come into direct contact with people's skin.

Should schools close because of an MRSA infection?

In most cases, it is not necessary to close schools because of an MRSA infection in a student.  It is important to note that MRSA transmission can be prevented by simple measures such as hand hygiene and covering infections.

Should the school be closed to be cleaned or disinfected when an MRSA infection occurs?

Covering infections will greatly reduce the risks of surfaces becoming contaminated with MRSA.  In general it is not necessary to close schools to "disinfect" them when MRSA infections occur.  MRSA skin infections are transmitted primarily by skin-to-skin contact with someone else's infection.  When skin infections occur, cleaning and disinfection should be performed on surfaces that are likely to contact uncovered or poorly covered infections.

Should students with MRSA skin infections be excluded from attending school?

• Unless directed by a physician, students with MRSA infections should not be excluded from attending school.

• Exclusion from school should be reserved for those with wound drainage ("pus") that cannot be covered and contained with a clean, dry bandage and for those who cannot maintain good personal hygiene.

• Students with active infections should be excluded from activities where skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur (e.g., sports) until their infections are healed.

I have an MRSA skin infection.  How do I prevent spreading it to others?

• Cover  your wound.  Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages until healed.  Follow your healthcare provider's instructions on proper care of the wound.  Pus from infected wounds can contain staph, including MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others.  Bandages and tape can be discarded with the regular trash.

• Clean your hands frequently.  You, your family, and others in close contact should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected wound.

• Do not share personal items.  Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms, that have had contact with the infected wound or bandage.  Wash sheets, towels, and clothes that become soiled with water and laundry detergent.  Use a dryer to dry clothes completely.