Amador County Health Department
1003 Broadway, Suite 203
Jackson, California 95642
Phone (209) 223-6407
Fax (209) 223-1562
publichealth@co.amador.ca.us
MRSA 101
For Immediate Release
Contact: Angel LeSage, PHN
Date: February 5, 2016
Title: Public Information Officer/Director of
Public Health
alesage@co.amamdor.ca.us
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is making news
across the nation and raising many questions locally in Amador County
communities. MRSA has been around for a number of years but with the recent
news headlines it has become alarming to many people. “We have been
receiving many phone calls from local residents about MRSA,” reports Dr. Bob
Hartmann, Amador County Health Officer. “Public Health, Environmental Health
and the Amador County Unified School District have been working together to
respond to these concerns. We want to clarify information about this infection
and provide information on how to protect yourself. “
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as “staph,” is a type of
bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people.
Approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of people in the general population have staph living in
their nose. It does not make them sick but it can be passed on to other people
by rubbing their nose, getting it on their hands, and then touching other people or
surfaces. MRSA is a type of staph infection that is resistant to commonly used
antibiotics, including methicillin.
Until recently, most people who got MRSA infections were in hospitals and
other healthcare settings. Over the past several years, MRSA has become a
common cause of community-acquired skin infections. Most of these infections
are minor boils or abscesses and can start from broken skin areas such as cuts,
abrasions and scratches. Occasionally, more serious infections can occur.
Transmission is usually by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items
or surfaces that have been contaminated with the drainage of bacteria from
uncovered or poorly covered wounds.
These skin infections often heal on their own, while some require medical
treatment and antibiotics. Even though an organism is resistant to Methicillin,
there are still many other antibiotics that can be used. It is very important to take
all the antibiotics prescribed.
The best way to prevent exposure to the staph organism is to wash your
hands before and after touching your face, nose, eyes, and mouth. Basically,
wash… wash… wash. This is the best prevention method available. Alcohol
based hand gels work well when soap and water are not available.
The following are a questions and answers about staph and MRSA.
What are staph and MRSA?
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph," is a type of bacteria
commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Sometimes, staph
can cause an infection. Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of
skin infections in the United States. Staph or MRSA infections in the community
are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples, boils, or abscesses,
and occur in otherwise healthy people.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) refers to types of staph that
are not killed (resistant to) by the Methicillin antibiotic.
Can I get MRSA from someone at work or school?
MRSA is transmitted most frequently by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with
shared items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's
infection (e.g., from surfaces, towels, used bandages).
MRSA skin infections can occur anywhere. However, some settings have factors
that make it easier for MRSA to be transmitted. These factors, referred to as the
5 C's, are as follows: Crowding, frequent skin-to-skin Contact, Compromised skin
(i.e., cuts or abrasions), Contaminated items and surfaces, and lack of
Cleanliness. Locations where the 5 C's are common include schools,
dormitories, military barracks, households, correctional facilities, and daycare
centers.
If I have MRSA, can I go to work or school?
Unless directed by a healthcare provider, workers and students with MRSA
infections should not be routinely excluded from going to work or school.
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Exclusions from work/school should be reserved for those with wound
drainage ("pus") that cannot be covered and contained with a clean, dry
bandage and for those who cannot maintain good hygiene practices.
Workers/students with active infections should be excluded from physical
activity or sports that involve skin-to-skin contact until approval is obtained
from a healthcare provider.
Why wouldn’t the school or workplace be closed for cleaning?
Health Officials do not recommend closing facilities for cleaning. Closing and
cleaning gives people a false sense of security that they are safe from staph.
Once people return, so does the staph. MRSA is spread by direct skin-to-skin
contact or contact with shared items or surfaces that your hands touch and move
around. Rather, it is best to have policies and procedures in place to clean
surfaces and equipment regularly.
If I have staph or a MRSA skin infection, what can I do to prevent the
spread of MRSA at work, at school, and at home?
You can prevent spreading staph or MRSA skin infections to others by following
these steps:
 Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered
with clean, dry bandages. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions on
proper care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph
bacteria and MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the
spread to others. Bandages or tape can be discarded with the regular
trash.
 Clean your hands. You, your family, and others in close contact should
wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcoholbased hand sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching
the infected wound.
 Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items such as
uniforms, clothing, towels, washcloths, or razors that may have had
contact with the infected wound or bandage.
What should I do if my clothing, equipment, or workstation becomes
contaminated with MRSA?
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Wash clothing, sheets, and towels that become soiled with hot water and
laundry detergent. Dry clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying.
Clean contaminated equipment and surfaces with detergent-based
cleaners.
What does a staph or MRSA infection look like?
Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a
spider bite, pimple, or boil and can be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other
drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections,
or surgical wound infection
How can I prevent staph or MRSA skin infections?
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Practice good hygiene
Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or
using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages
Avoid sharing personal items such as uniforms and personal protective
equipment
How are staph and MRSA infections treated?
Some staph skin infections do not need treatment; others are treated with
antibiotics. If the doctor gives you antibiotics, make sure you take all of the
medicine, even if the infection is getting better. Call your doctor back if the
infection does not get better after a few days. If other people you know or live
with get the same infection, tell them to go to their doctor.