Information and Safety Recommendations On The So-Called “Superbug” (MRSA)
 Download a printable brochure with more information about Community Acquired MRSA
Recent reports of illness, and even death, resulting from Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), an infectious bacteria that is resistant to some antibiotics, have caused a great deal of concern in communities across the United States.
To help provide you with more information about this bacterium, Arkansas Children’s Hospital has compiled a list of frequently asked questions and safety recommendations that we hope will be useful for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is MRSA?
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria that live on the skin or in the nose. Approximately one-third of the population carries staph bacteria in these sites and approximately 1% of population carry MRSA. Knowing you’re a carrier does not mean you will get sick with MRSA.
Community-acquired MRSA is common in areas such as gyms, locker rooms and other areas where individuals are in close contact and the environment is well suited for bacteria to grow, especially when not cleaned regularly. At least 95 percent of community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections appear on the skin or in the soft tissues.
When is MRSA dangerous?
MRSA is harmless to the majority of people, however when the bacteria enters the body through an open wound (cut, pimple, etc.), it can get in the blood stream or system of a person and make them seriously ill. Individuals who are immune compromised (those with diabetes, who have heart conditions, recent surgery, etc.) are additionally vulnerable to complications from MRSA exposure.
How do people contract MRSA?
MRSA is transmitted by person-to-person contact, again, usually through an open wound. It is extremely rare to contract MRSA from surfaces such as tables, desks, door handles, etc. Individuals who have close physical contact with another person are at increased risk of contracting MRSA. It is most commonly spread among athletes, prison inmates and hospital patients; however, anyone can become infected if they come into direct physical contact with the bacteria.
How do I know if I have contracted MRSA?
Signs of a community-acquired MRSA infection may look like a sore that won’t heal or that has become infected. They may also resemble a pimple or a spider bite that turns into a boil or an infection. To know for sure, see a physician who will test for MRSA and recommend medical treatment.
If I learn I have MRSA, is it treatable?
Most infections are not serious and can be treated by draining the wound, giving the individual oral antibiotics and keeping the infected area clean and covered. More serious cases may require the person to be hospitalized, placed on more stringent antibiotics and placed under quarantine to help prevent the spread of infection to other patients.
Why do people die from MRSA infections?
In some cases, MRSA infections get into a person’s blood stream and may affect the individual’s organs, specifically the heart or lungs. In such serious cases, the body may not respond to antibiotics before lungs, kidneys and liver fail leading to death.
To help protect your family:
- Wash your hands often, using warm water plus soap and rubbing hands to create friction for at least 30 seconds;
- Practice good hygiene;
- Cover all wounds or areas of broken skin with clean bandages; particularly those that produce drainage;
- Monitor wounds for infection - if they do not heal see your pediatrician or family doctor;
- Do not share towels or personal items, such as razors, combs, clothing or sports equipment; and
- Routinely clean exercise equipment before and after use.
Coaches can further help prevent staph infections among athletes by taking the following steps:
- Promote good hygiene, including showering and washing with soap after all practices and competitions.
- Make sure enough soap and hot water are available.
- Discourage sharing of towels, uniforms or other personal items.
- Establish routine cleaning schedules for all shared exercise equipment.
- Encourage athletes to use a clean cloth or towel between their skin and any shared sports equipment.
- Assess athletes regularly for skin infections and encourage athletes to report sores or skin wounds to the coaching staff.
- If an athlete has an infected wound that cannot be adequately covered, then the athlete may need to be temporarily excluded from contact sports until the wound stops draining.
Healthcare workers with staph infections may need to take special precautions or may
even be temporarily restricted from certain patient care responsibilities as determined by the infection control policies of their hospital or healthcare facility.
For more information, including presentations and brochures on staph infection, visit the Arkansas Department of Health Web site at http://www.healthyarkansas.com/mrsa/information.html.
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