Step ONE: Don't Panic!

MRSA is not new. It has been around since the 1960s.

The "staph" bacterium, or more formally Staphylocococcus aureus bacterium, was identified over a century ago. In the 1920's penicillin was developed and used to successfully treat staph infections. However, the bacterium fought back through mutation and began to developing resistance to penicillin, In the 1950's a new form of penicillin, called Methicillin, was introduced as the treatment of choice against staph. Resistance to Methicillin began occurring in the 1960s. This new bacterium was labeled Methicillin-Resistant Staphylocococcus Aureus - MRSA for short. MRSA is now resistant to a full class of antibiotics which includes penicillin, amoxicillin, methicillin and others.

Until recently, the majority of cases were traced to hospitals, but like any bacteria that infects humans it has begun to appear more often in other locations.

Now there are 2 types of MRSA that are classified based on where the infection occurred. The first type is Hospital Acquired or HA-MRSA. The second type, identified in the 1990s, is labeled Community Acquired or CA-MRSA. This is the type causing public concern now since its origin is harder to detect, unlike the HA-MRSA, which usually has a traceable cause. CA-MRSA often enters the body through a cut or abrasion on the skin. Children and young adults seem more susceptible to the infection and complications.

Media Attention

In recent weeks, the media has reported on a number of schools in the U.S. that have had students diagnosed with MRSA, and on one case in particular, where a young man died due to MRSA infection.

Again, children contracting the MRSA bacteria is not new. Almost all cases of MRSA infection are treated and cured with little to no serious consequences.

But, there is a potential for a serious infection. So Safe America Kids recommends that parents teach their children to take reasonable precautions to avoid possible MRSA infections.

What to do......

Teach Your Children (and yourself) to Wash hands More Regularly.
Washing should be done briskly using soap - and for at least 20 seconds (there are childrens' songs about handwashing to help them determine how long 20 seconds is). Teach them to dry their hands using a clean paper towel and use the towel to turn off the faucet as well. If hand washing
isn’t possible, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, such as Purrell, is recommended.

The great news about being more diligent with hand washing is that it can help prevent many types of illness, including the common cold and flu.

Do not share personal items with other children at school or at play. This includes items such as towels, sheets, uniforms, razors, makeup and even cell phones. The bacteria can spread by contact with contaminated items. Teach them that after group activities, such as sports, they should wash their hands or uses a hand sanitizer.

Keep cuts or abrasions of skin covered until healed. Use of bandages or Band Aids helps keep bacteria from spreading. An anti-germicide ointment should be used as well.

Ask your school about it's cleaning procedures for items or areas that contact with people’s skin or are frequently touched. This includes locker areas used in school sports. For those students involved in contact sports, such as wrestling and football, it is important to shower immediately after practices and games or matches.

At home sanitize sports and school clothing, towels and sheets by washing them after each each use in hot water with detergent, and then drying them in a hot dryer.

Visit the following health Web site for additional information:
Mayo Clinic