NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
October 19, 2007
Day Contacts: 393-8585
Jessica Mullen ext. 8541
Tausha Baines ext. 8574
Emily Falendysz ext. 8619
Portsmouth - Portsmouth Health Services Department, Schools are working closely with city officials to educate staff, students, and citizens, about MRSA. There has been a recent surge in discussion in the national and local media about the seemingly recent influx in cases relating to staph infections. Dr. Demetria Lindsay, Portsmouth District Health Director met with the city’s Communications Department, and stressed, that “while in most cases, the spread of staph results in little or no major concerns, if left unnoticed or untreated, it can become serious.” The Portsmouth Health Department provides this helpful information:
What is MRSA?
Staphylococcus aureus (“staph”) is a common type of bacteria (germ) that is often found on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. The most common infections associated with staph are wound infections or mild skin infections. Rarely, it sometimes causes an infection in other sites of the body. Penicillin was used in the past to treat staph infections. However, over time many staph bacteria have become difficult to treat with penicillin. These new or resistant forms of Staphylococcus aureau are called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.
How is it spread?
Staph is passed from person to person through direct contact with skin or through contact with objects contaminated with the bacteria. It is NOT spread through the air.
Who is at risk for getting these organisms?
MRSA , more often occurs in people in hospitals and healthcare facilities. It can also occur outside the hospital in people who receive multiple antibiotics, as well as in people who have close contact with a person carrying the germ or by touching objects contaminated with MRSA (e.g., clothes, towels, beddings, athletic equipment, and benches in saunas or hot tubs, bandages).
What are the symptoms of infections?
Many people carry staph bacteria on their skin without any symptoms. Symptoms of a MRSA or other staph infections depend on where the infection is located. Infections of the skin are the most common, and cause symptoms such as redness, warmth, pus and a wound that is slow to heal. Your doctor may refer to these infections as boils, furuncles, impetigo or abscesses.
What can I do to prevent MRSA and other staph infection?
- Wash your hands often.
- Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered.
- Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sports equipment, razors, etc.
- If a sore or cut becomes, red, oozes, causes pain or isn’t healing see a doctor.
- Don’t insist on antibiotics for colds or other viruses.
- If prescribed antibiotics, take all the pills, even if you feel better before they are all gone.
- If surfaces become contaminated, many household disinfectant cleaners, such as a simple bleach solution, will kill MRSA.
What are Portsmouth Public Schools doing?
Reinforcing good hand washing hygiene with all students, maintaining good housekeeping in the school buildings, and paying particular attention to areas around the gymnasiums in the middle and high schools.
What else can I do?
It is important to seek medical treatment for any suspicious wound, follow wound care instructions, and completely finish any prescriptions even if symptoms go away before the medicine is finished. If your child is diagnosed with MRSA, communicate with your school’s nurse so that she can be prepared should your child develop any complications during the school day. It is also important to provide the school nurse with documentation from your child’s doctor that they are under treatment and cleared to return to school.
For additional information, please visit the Virginia Department of Health website, www.vdh.virginia.gov, or call Health Services at 393-8661 or the Portsmouth Health Department at 393-8585, extension 8582.
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