Schools Battle Rise in Staph Infections

Schools Battle Rise in Staph Infections

(ARA) - Kids will be kids, and are likely to have skin contact with other children and get minor cuts while playing at home and at school. Bacteria can be spread easily from person to person, and children are at greater risk of contracting staph infection.

The words "staph infection" used to only be uttered in hospitals or healthcare facilities, but the increase in the number of recent cases reported in the general public are alarming. Bacteria can be spread easily from person to person, and children might be at the most risk. Parents and teachers alike need to learn prevention now.

Staphylococcus aureus, or simply staph, are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the noses of healthy people. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph that is resistant to antibiotics including methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as penicillin and amoxicillin.

Educate and protect yourself and your family today with these tips:

Treat and cover wounds
Any open wound is a potential entry point for MRSA. Treat wounds with StaphAseptic to kill germs that may cause infection and keep them covered for protection.

Don't share personal items (like towels)
Germs can live on clothing and gear for over 24 hours. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, soap, uniforms and any sports equipment that directly touches your body.

Shower after physical activity
If you participate in sports, shower after each event with soap. Close skin to skin contact is one of the main ways MRSA is being spread among athletes.

Properly clean gear and equipment
Germs can live on athletic mats, gym equipment, sports equipment and clothing. Clean and disinfect all objects before and after use, especially if it's shared.

Keep hands clean
One of the easiest ways to protect yourself is to wash your hands.

Consult your physician for all active wounds
If you think you have an infection, be sure to contact your physician. In order to determine if an infection is MRSA, it must be cultured by a physician.

Understanding the importance of prevention at school, StaphAseptic is now donating MRSA education kits to schools nationwide that educate students and parents, and promote steps to staying healthy. Included is an educational DVD, a full color poster and samples of StaphAseptic to keep for the school nurse, administrators, coaches and more.

"MRSA really is a ticking time bomb," says Dr. Mark Christensen, a registered pharmacist in Utah and Oregon and associate professor at the Oregon State University College of Pharmacy. "We have great fears that community acquired MRSA staph infections will increase dramatically -- because of what we've seen in the hospitals (MRSA infections). There is an overwhelming fear for some of the clinicians out there."

Commonly mistaken as spider bites, staph and MRSA infections look like a pimple, boil or ingrown hair and can be red, swollen, painful, or have drainage. Many occur in the armpits, neck, groin and buttocks where bacteria grow. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or even death.

"If kids are in sports I have a real concern. Parents should be doing preventive measures immediately if there are any kinds of cuts or scrapes. It should be automatic. You really don't know what you're going to come in contact with out there. So even if they come in with a little owie they should try and do preventive measures like washing with a good soap and applying StaphAseptic. I think that should be basic care for kids now days," says Dr. Christensen.

If you want a complimentary MRSA educational kit to be sent to your community school, have your school administrator or coach call (800) 482-4464 and press "0". To learn more about staph and StaphAseptic visit www. StaphAseptic.com. StaphAseptic is available at most retail pharmacy stores.

Courtesy of ARAcontent