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MRSA

 

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) 

Resources 

EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against MRSA 

Athletic Facilities: Prevention and Control 

Schools and Daycares: Prevention and Response 

Cleaning Procedures 

Fact Sheet- For Staff

Fact Sheet- For Parents 

MRSA- Parent Template Notification 

(notification not required by Health Dept, sole discretion of campus admin/DON/Campus Nurse based on situation. Recommend not to use unless multiple confirmed cases of MRSA have been diagnosed by a physician) 

Overview

Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is a very common germ. About one out of every three people have the germ on their skin or in their nose. This germ does not cause problems for most people.

MRSA is a type of staph that can be resistant to several antibiotics. Anyone can get a MRSA infection or carry MRSA. The risk increases for people with hospitalizations or nursing home stays, skin-to-skin contact with others (such as in contact sports), and exposure to crowded and unhygienic places.

Signs and Symptoms 

The symptoms of an S. aureus infection, including MRSA, depend on the part of the body that is infected. Broken skin, such as scrapes or cuts, is often the site of a MRSA infection. Most S. aureus skin infections, including MRSA, appear as a bump or infected area on the skin that might be:

  • Red.
  • Swollen.
  • Painful.
  • Warm to the touch.
  • Full of pus or other drainage.
  • Accompanied by a fever.

You cannot tell by looking at the skin if it's a MRSA infection. People sometimes confuse some MRSA skin infections with a spider bite. However, unless you actually see the spider, the irritation is likely not a spider bite.

Diagnosis

A healthcare provider must send a clinical specimen to a laboratory to determine if MRSA is the cause of an infection.

Closing to clean or disinfect

Generally, you don't need to close schools to "disinfect" them when MRSA infections occur. Routine cleaning practices are enough in most cases.

 Notifications 

  • Usually, you don't need to inform the entire school community about a single MRSA infection.
  • In most schools, the school healthcare provider should notify the student's teacher or staff of any disease or infection. Consult with your school about its policy.
  • The school healthcare provider should decide whether they should notify some or all students, parents and staff. If healthcare providers are not available at the school, consult with the local public health department to guide this decision.
     

Reporting 

If multiple MRSA infections are identified in the school (i.e., an outbreak), facilities should report the outbreak to the local health department for further investigation and/or guidance.

Can a student with MRSA attend school?

Most students with MRSA infections can attend school unless a healthcare provider tells them not to. They should not attend school if:

  • They cannot maintain good personal hygiene.
  • They have a wound with drainage (pus) that cannot be covered and contained with a clean, dry bandage.

Guidance for teachers and staff

  • If you observe a child with open draining wounds or infections, take them to the school medical personnel. If one is not available, call the child's guardian and tell them to seek medical attention.
  • Reinforce the need for hand hygiene by everyone as a part of general good health practice:
    • Before eating.
    • After touching infected wounds or soiled bandages.
    • After using the bathroom.

Guidance for school medical staff

  • If a student has a skin infection, refer them to a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
  • Notify parents/guardians when you detect possible skin infections.
  • Use Standard Precautions when caring for broken skin (open wounds) or potential infections.
  • Use barriers such as gloves, gowns, masks and eye protection if splashing or other contact with infected body fluids is anticipated.