MRSA
Staph is a type of bacteria that approximately 25% to 30% of healthy people carry on their skin or in their nose. MRSA is a type of Staph that is resistant to most antibiotics and is only carried by approximately 1% of healthy people.
Most Staph infections are minor and may be easily treated with antibiotics or draining of the infection. However, MRSA is a type of infection that is more difficult to treat and needs to be caught early. MRSA infections are skin infections that look comparable to a spider bite and are often red, swollen, painful, or have drainage. These infections commonly occur around a cut or abrasion. Almost all MRSA infections can be effectively treated by draining the wound; and if recognized early enough, will not cause any major issues. If you think you may have a MRSA infection, keep the area covered with a clean dry bandage and visit your physician immediately.
MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact, through contact with shared items, or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else’s infection. Some settings where MRSA can be spread more easily include anywhere there is crowding, frequent skin-to-skin contact, and public areas. Anywhere groups of people gather who might be in close proximity to each other have the potential for spreading a MRSA infection.
The most important weapon against MRSA and all types of infections is good hygiene. This includes washing your hands frequently with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and covering skin that has an open cut or abrasion with a clean dry bandage to reduce the potential for spreading. Avoid sharing personal items such as hand towels or razors that come into contact with your bare skin. Finally, maintaining a clean environment by practicing regular cleaning procedures for frequently touched surfaces and surfaces that come into direct contact with people’s skin.
As a healthcare organization Mahaska Health Partnership staff and physicians are being specially trained in ways to isolate MRSA infections and help them not be spread. As an individual you can help too, all you have to do is:
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer
- Cover open wounds
- Do not share personal items