Information for parents and students regarding MRSA Staph infection

Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA has emerged as a serious threat in the community. Until recently, MRSA was seen almost exclusively in hospitalized patients. Because we are now seeing it in the community, especially in pockets such as groups of athletes, children in childcare settings and crowding situations such as prisons and jails, the Georgia Division of Public Health is working to educate the public to prevent this threatening infection.

MRSA is caused by a bacterium, often called Staph. Staph is one of the most common causes of skin infections in the U.S. and is usually found on the skin or in the noses of healthy people. MRSA is a type of Staph germ that is hard to treat with some commonly used antibiotic medicines. It has gradually developed a resistance to certain antibiotics that previously were effective in killing the germ.

An infection can look like sores that look and feel like spider bites or pimples. It can be characterized as large, red, painful bumps under the skin (boils); and symptoms may include redness, warmth, swelling, pus, skin tenderness or blisters. It can advance into abscesses or serious skin infections and, if untreated, MRSA can infect blood and bones.

Please call your health care provider or take your child to the hospital if your child develops any of the aforementioned symptoms. A sample of the infected wound must be confirmed by a lab test called a culture. The culture grows the bacteria and the lab can test to see which antibiotics will be effective for treating the infection.

Preventing The Spread of MRSA:

1. Hand washing is #1 prevention.

2. Keep cuts, lesions, and wounds covered with clean bandages such as a band-aid.

3. Do not share personal items such as towels, wash cloths, razors, antiperspirants, clothing, uniforms, or other items that may not be clean.

4. Wash soiled clothing, linens, and towels (especially for students with athletic or gym teams) in hot water and laundry detergent. Dry clothes in hot dryer.

5. Avoid participating in contact sports or other skin-to-skin contact if any open or uncovered cuts or wounds.

In Cobb County Schools we encourage extra hand washing for all students and staff and will disinfect any hard surfaces in the school with the county approved disinfectant as needed in confirmed cases.