News

Skin Staph/MRSA

Given the recent concerns regarding MRSA, we wish to explain what this type of bacteria is.

This is a form of Staphylococcus which is resistant to many commonly used antibiotics, in particular methicillin; thus the designation Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). Staph has been a common source of skin infections for decades. MRSA is a form of Staph. As with all forms of bacteria, frequent hand washing can prevent infections. Staph is not contagious in the fashion of the common cold; sitting next to someone with MRSA will not cause infection.

If you are a student and develop redness, pain or swelling of a skin area, we recommend calling the Health and Counseling Center for further non-emergent evaluation. If you are not a student, contact your healthcare provider for further non-emergent evaluation. With the proper choice of antibiotics, MRSA is usually quite receptive to treatment.

— The Health and Counseling Center

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Community-Associated MRSA Information

What is Staphylococcus aureus (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 (when 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 (also known as antimicrobials or antibacterials). However, staph bacteria also can cause serious infections (such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia).

What is community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA)?

Staph and MRSA can also cause illness in persons outside of hospitals and healthcare facilities. MRSA infections that are acquired by persons who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are known as CA-MRSA infections. Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people.

How can I prevent staph or MRSA skin infections?

Practice good hygiene:

  1. Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  2. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
  3. Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.
  4. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.

If I have a staph, or MRSA skin infection, what can I do to prevent others from getting infected?

You can prevent spreading staph or MRSA skin infections to others by following these steps:

  1. 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 and MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others. Bandages or tape can be discarded with the regular trash.
  2. Clean your hands. You, your family, and others in close contact should wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected wound.
  3. Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms that may have had contact with the infected wound or bandage. Wash sheets, towels, and clothes that become soiled with water and laundry detergent. Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes.
  4. Talk to your doctor. Tell any healthcare providers who treat you that you have or had a staph or MRSA skin infection.

What should I do if I think I have a staph or MRSA infection?

Contact the Health and Counseling Center at 303-871-2205.

For more information, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca.html