Preventing Staph Infections(35kb; pdf)

Article from the Florida Department of Health Division of Disease Control Director Dr. Russell Eggert "Common sense about Staphylococcus aureus infections"(17kb; pdf)

What is Staph?
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph," are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 25% to 30% of the population is colonized, which means that bacteria are present but not causing an infection, in the nose with staph bacteria. Sometimes, staph can cause an infection. Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. Most of these skin infections are minor (such as pimples and boils) and can be treated without antibiotics. However, staph bacteria also can cause serious infections such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia.

What is MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)?
Some staph bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to antibiotics called beta-lactams. Beta-lactam antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. While 25% to 30% of the population is colonized with staph, approximately 1% is colonized with MRSA.

How can I prevent staph or MRSA skin infections?
It may sound simple, but the best way to protect yourself from staph and MRSA skin infections is through good hygiene:

• Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water. Rub your soapy hands together for 15-20 seconds – singing the ABCs, a verse of Old MacDonald, or Happy Birthday are easy ways to time it.
• Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a proper dressing such as a bandage until the cut is healed.
• Avoid contact with other people's wounds or material contaminated from wounds (such as towels or clothing).
• Do not share personal items such as bar soap (it is preferable to use liquid soap), deodorant, razors, towels, make-up, etc.

Who gets staph or MRSA infections?
Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems. These healthcare-associated staph infections include surgical wound infections, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia.

How common are staph and MRSA infections?
Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infection in the United States and are a common cause of pneumonia, surgical wound infections, and bloodstream infections. The majority of MRSA infections occur among patients in hospitals or other healthcare settings; however, it is becoming more common in the community setting. Data from a prospective study in 2003, suggests that 12% of clinical MRSA infections are community-associated, but this varies by geographic region and population.

What does a staph or MRSA infection look like?
Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a 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 infections.

How is staph infection treated?
Several antibiotics can be used to treat most staph infections, including MRSA. If antibiotics are prescribed, patients should complete the full course and call their doctors if the infection does not improve.

Are certain people at increased risk for community-associated staph or MRSA infections?
CDC has investigated clusters of CA-MRSA skin infections among athletes, military recruits, children, Pacific Islanders, Alaskan Natives, Native Americans, men who have sex with men, and prisoners. Factors that have been associated with the spread of MRSA skin infections include: close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, and poor hygiene.

What does staph look like on the skin?

Staph infections on the skin may look like these photos(58kb; pdf).

Additional information on staph and MRSA is available at www.cdc.gov

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