Staphylococcus aureus
What is Staphylococcus aureus?
Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria
commonly found on the skin and in the
nose of 20-30% of healthy individuals. This
bacteria often causes skin infections,
however, it can also cause other more
serious infections, such as pneumonia or
wash hands
bloodstream infections.
Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA)
What is Methicillin –Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus? MethicillinResistant Staphylococcus Aureus is a strain
of Staph aureus that is resistant to
methicillin, an antibiotic in the same class as
penicillin. MRSA is traditionally seen in
people recently hospitalized or who have
been treated at a healthcare facility (such as
a dialysis center).
Community-associated (MRSA)
What is CA-MRSA?
Community-associated MRSA infections are
considered to be community-associated because
they occur in people who have not been
hospitalized or had a medical procedure (MRSA i.e.,
dialysis or surgery) within the past year. CA-MRSA
infections have been documented among athletes,
prisoners, military recruits, daycare attendees,
injection drug users, and others who live in
crowded settings or routinely share contaminated
items.
How to Minimize the Spread of
Staphylococcus aureus/MRSA
•Keep
your fingernails short to keep the
bacteria from growing under and on your
nails.
•Change your sheets and towels regularly.
• Change your clothes daily and wash them
before wearing again.
• Do not share towels, razors,
toothbrushes, or other personal items.
How to Minimize the Spread of
Staphylococcus aureus/MRSA
•Take
good care of your skin. Remember,
MRSA lives on your skin. Any break or
crack in your skin can allow it to enter and
cause an infection. If you get a cut or
scrape, clean it with soap and water and
then cover it with a bandage.
•Take care of yourself: eat right, exercise,
quit smoking, and avoid stress.
2010-2011 School Exclusion List
Statutory authority: SC Code Sections 20-7-2980, 44-1-110,
44-1-140 and 44-29-10
For Dry Lesions: Lesions should be washed
and covered (if possible), and the student
excluded from the end of the school/program
day until he or she has received 24 hours of
topical or systemic antibiotics.
For Weepy or Wet Lesions: Exclude the
student immediately. Readmit after 24 hours
of topical, oral or other systemic antibiotics IF
lesion are showing signs of healing (decreasing
in size) and oozing has stopped.
2010-2011 School Exclusion List
Statutory authority: SC Code Sections 20-7-2980, 44-1-110,
44-1-140 and 44-29-10
Exclude students with draining lesions that
cannot be covered, or if the covering cannot be
maintained because drainage comes through the
dressing to contaminate other surfaces or persons.
Readmit when the exclusion criteria are resolved,
i.e.., drainage is contained within dressing and/ or
covered adequately so that contact of others with
drainage does not occur.
Students with non-draining or non-oozing lesions
do not have to be excluded from school unless
they meet other exclusion criteria.
2010-2011 School Exclusion List
Statutory authority: SC Code Sections 20-7-2980, 44-1-110,
44-1-140 and 44-29-10
Sports: Children with Staphylococcal or
Streptococcal lesions on uncovered skin, or
with Staph- or Strep- lesions that are
covered but draining or oozing, may not
participate in close contact sports or other
athletic activities. Sports or physical
education governing bodies may impose
additional restrictions on participation.
What are the symptoms of CA-MRSA?

The most common signs of any sort of
Staph infection are localized redness,
swelling, and tenderness. Staph skin
infections can appear as pimples, rashes,
pus-filled boils or abscesses, which may
drain pus. They may also appear as
impetigo with fluid filled blisters.
Symptoms of CA-MRSA


Some people with MRSA will have multiple lesions (sores) that
look like spider bites. The involved site is red, swollen, and painful
and may have pus or other drainage.
Staph infections also can cause more serious infections, such as
blood stream infections or pneumonia, leading to symptoms of
shortness of breath, fever, and chills.
How to Minimize the Spread of
Staphylococcus aureus/MRSA
Athletes, athletic personnel, and parents can help prevent
and control MRSA infections within the athletic setting by
following these simple health and hygiene practices:
•Wash
hands frequently with soap and water, especially
after using any sports facilities; make sure that the thumb
is included when washing your hands.
•Avoid
sharing personal items such as: towels, washcloths,
razors, clothing, or uniforms that may have had contact
with an infected individual or potentially infectious
material.
How to Minimize the Spread of
Staphylococcus aureus/MRSA

Athletes involved in close contact sports should
receive a body check of exposed skin by the
appropriate athletic personnel before any game,
match or tournament.

Individuals with an infection involving pus
drainage, who are involved in close contact
sports, should be excluded from participation in
sporting events and practices until no pus
drainage is present and the infected site can be
adequately covered with a bandage and clothing.
How to Minimize the Spread of
Staphylococcus aureus/MRSA

Students should report any suspicious skin sore
or boil to their healthcare provider, trainer or
school nurse immediately. All draining wounds
must be covered with clean, dry bandages
during practices and games. If the draining
cannot be contained, the player should be
excused from activities.

Instruct players that participate in sports
involving close personal contact (e.g. wrestling
and football) to shower with soap as soon as
possible after each practice, game, or match.
How to Minimize the Spread of
Staphylococcus aureus/MRSA

Any cut or break in the skin should be washed
with soap and water and a clean, dry dressing
applied on a daily basis, before and after
participation in close contact sports, and after
using any sports facilities.

Do not allow sharing of any equipment,
uniforms, towels. Assign equipment and
uniforms to one individual for the whole season.
Wash uniforms and towels after each use with
detergent in hot water.
How to Minimize the Spread of
Staphylococcus aureus/MRSA

Non-washable gear such as pads or head
protectors should be wiped down with alcohol
after each use.

Athletic equipment such as weight benches,
wrestling or gymnastics mats, or other
equipment that might have skin contact should
be disinfected regularly after each practice and
in-between uses. Wipe with an antibacterial
solution, or an EPA-registered cleaner. Clean
BOTH SIDES of mats before rolling them up for
storage.
How to Minimize the Spread of
Staphylococcus aureus/MRSA

Encourage the players to tell their healthcare
provider (e.g. primary care doctor or school
nurse) and the appropriate athletic personnel if
they currently have or have had a history of an
antibiotic-resistant Staph skin infection

Remember: Routine cleaning is all that is
recommended. Because the bacteria live on the
skin, they may be reintroduced into any
environment at any time. Therefore, hand
washing and wound care remain the primary
means of preventing Staph infections.
How to Minimize the Spread of
Staphylococcus aureus/MRSA

In the up-coming video you will see the
student bathing with bar soap, please
instruct students to use liquid soap in a
public setting because bar soap can
harbor bacteria.