STAPH FACT SHEET

Friday, October 19, 2007

Over the past week, I have received more questions about MRSA than just about any other topic. MRSA has also been called the "superbug" or a flesh eating bacteria. At its most basic level, MRSA is a type of staph bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. This is a bacteria that is normally found on all of our skin. Yes, if you were to take some skin scrapings right now and look under a microscope, you would probably find some of the staphylococcus bacteria. The problem arises when that bacteria becomes resistant to antibiotics. That's when it becomes "Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus" or MRSA.

Here are a couple things to keep in mind. While the bacterium is resistant to Methicillin, there are other more powerful antibiotics, such as Vancomycin, which can still be effective. The key is to make the diagnosis early and to complete a full course of antibiotic treatment. That can get rid of the bacteria entirely. Some clues that you might have it include wounds that aren't healing - usually more than one at a time. These are obviously wounds that don't seem to get better even with normal antibiotic treatment.

A larger issue may be whether or not we are developing new antibiotics fast enough. There is no question that antibiotic resistance develops as a result of our increased and sometimes inappropriate use of antibiotics. So, there is a real need for new antibiotics. The problem is these new antibiotics are incredibly expensive to develop and take years of clinical testing before they are approved. After that, doctors will only prescribe them in rare cases, when other antibiotics donâ€™t work. That makes drug companies less enthusiastic about developing the new medications.

There in lies a dilemma. Obviously, it would make sense for society to do everything possible to prevent antibiotic resistance. As we learned, however, that ship may have already sailed. There were around 90,000 cases of MRSA in 2005 and almost 19,000 deaths. And, we are already starting to hear of infections resistant to all the antibiotics that exist.

How will we take care of antibiotic resistant infections if there are no new medications in the pipeline? Keep in mind, this is not a theoretical question -- this is starting to happen already.
Posted By Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Chief Medical Correspondent: 11:28 AM ET

STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (STAPH) FACT SHEET

What is Staphylococcus aureus?
Staphylococcus aureus, often called “staph,” refers to bacteria healthy people can carry on the skin or in the nose. Staph bacteria commonly cause skin infections that are generally minor, appearing as pimples and boils. In addition to skin infections, staph bacteria can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia) and surgical sites.

Who gets STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (STAPH) FACT SHEET

What is Staphylococcus aureus?
Staphylococcus aureus, often called “staph,” refers to bacteria healthy people can carry on the skin or in the nose. Staph bacteria commonly cause skin infections that are generally minor, appearing as pimples and boils. In addition to skin infections, staph bacteria can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia) and surgical sites.

Who gets Staph Infections?

Anyone can get a Staph infection. People are more likely to get a Staph infection if they have:
 Skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a Staph infection
 Contact with items and surfaces that have Staph on them
 Openings in their skin such as cuts and scrapes
 Poor Hygiene
 Crowded living conditions

How are Staph Infections Treated?

Several antibiotics can be used to treat most staph infections. If antibiotics are prescribed, the full course of medication should be taken. If the infection worsens the health care provider should be contacted.

How do we keep Staph infections from spreading?

 Hand washing is the single most effective technique for preventing the spread of communicable disease. If soap and water are not available an alcohol based sanitizer should be used.
 Keep cuts and scrapes clean and cover them with bandages
 Do not touch other people’s cuts or bandages
 Do not share personal items like towels or razors

What environmental controls should be implemented?

Infectious agents can spread through contact with environmental surfaces. In addition to routine cleaning schedule, staff should
 After each use, clean mats and any equipment and surfaces where there is contact.
 Clean only with the school system approved solution that will kill the Staph bacteria. Contact your custodial staff or plant operatio
?

Anyone can get a Staph infection. People are more likely to get a Staph infection if they have:
 Skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a Staph infection
 Contact with items and surfaces that have Staph on them
 Openings in their skin such as cuts and scrapes
 Poor Hygiene
 Crowded living conditions

How are Staph Infections Treated?

Several antibiotics can be used to treat most staph infections. If antibiotics are prescribed, the full course of medication should be taken. If the infection worsens the health care provider should be contacted.

How do we keep Staph infections from spreading?

 Hand washing is the single most effective technique for preventing the spread of communicable disease. If soap and water are not available an alcohol based sanitizer should be used.
 Keep cuts and scrapes clean and cover them with bandages
 Do not touch other people’s cuts or bandages
 Do not share personal items like towels or razors

What environmental controls should be implemented?

Infectious agents can spread through contact with environmental surfaces. In addition to routine cleaning schedule, staff should
 After each use, clean mats and any equipment and surfaces where there is contact.
 Clean only with the school system approved solution that will kill the Staph bacteria. Contact your custodial staff or plant operation

Surrattsville High School
“Transforming the Future”
A Value Based Approach to Education
6101 Garden Drive
Clinton, Maryland 20735
(301) 599-2453 / FAX: (301) 599-2565
Guidance Office: (301) 599-2465 / FAX: (301) 599-2476

October 19, 2007

RE: Letter Regarding Staphylococcus aureus

Dear Parents & Guardians,
In light of the reports regarding Staphylococcus aureus, Surrattsville High School would like to take this opportunity to address your concerns and to ensure you that we have taken the necessary precautions to prevent any student from coming in contact with the bacteria. In addition to routine cleaning the building service custodial staff has cleaned all equipment and surfaces where there is daily contact.
Things that Parents should know:
What is Staphylococcus aureus?
Staphylococcus aureus, often called “staph,” refers to bacteria healthy people can carry on the skin or in the nose. Staph bacteria commonly cause skin infections that are generally minor, appearing as pimples and boils. In addition to skin infections, staph bacteria can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia) and surgical sites.
Who gets Staph Infections?
Anyone can get a Staph infection. People are more likely to get a Staph infection if they have:
• Skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a Staph infection
• Contact with items and surfaces that have Staph on them
• Openings in their skin such as cuts and scrapes
• Poor Hygiene
• Crowded living conditions
How are Staph Infections Treated?
Several antibiotics can be used to treat most staph infections. If antibiotics are prescribed, the full course of medication should be taken. If the infection worsens the health care provider should be contacted.
How do we keep Staph infections from spreading?
• Hand washing is the single most effective technique for preventing the spread of communicable disease. If soap and water are not available an alcohol based sanitizer should be used.
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and cover them with bandages
• Do not touch other people’s cuts or bandages
• Do not share personal items like towels or razors

We are asking you to make sure that your child does the following after bathroom use/physical education class/activities at the school:
• Hand washing is the single most effective technique for preventing the spread of communicable disease.
• Utilize the shower facilities provided by the school
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and cover them with bandages
• Do not touch other people’s cuts or bandages
• Do not share personal items like towels

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the school.

Thank you,

Mrs. Swift-Howard
Principal

Cc
Administration
Faculty
Support Staff
Building Custodial Service Staff
Health Nurse
Parent-Teacher-Student-Association

Surrattsville High School PTSA Family Friendly School

Surrattsville High School, 6101 Garden Drive Clinton, Maryland 20735 Phone 240 626 8572