October 30, 2007

Dear School and Child Care Center Parents, Students, and Staff:

You may have heard or seen the recent media coverage concerning MRSA or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in school-age children. We would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some information about MRSA, and most importantly, how to help prevent and control the spread of these infections.

Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as “staph,” is a bacterium that is commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people and not causing an infection. While approximately 30% of the population carry staph. aureus, as few as 1% carry MRSA.  Sometimes, staph. aureus and MRSA can cause an infection. Infections happen most often when there is direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or when sharing contaminated items touched by an infected person.  Most infections caused by MRSA appear as skin infections, which look like an inflamed spider bite, pimple or boil. Staph skin infections can be red, painful, swollen, and may have pus or other drainage.  MRSA infections are treatable with alternative antibiotics. Individuals who believe they may have a staph infection or MRSA infection should contact their physician for evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Practicing good hygiene is one of the most important things that everyone can do to control and prevent the spread of staph and other infections:

•     Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand       sanitizer.

•     Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.

•     Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.

•     Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, and water bottles.

Students participating in contact sports or other activities that lead to close skin-to-skin contact should take additional precautions related to skin infections and hygiene:

•     Do not share towels, clothing, uniforms, water bottles, skin balms and lubricants.

•     Do not store wet, dirty clothing in lockers.

•     Avoid the re-use of unlaundered clothing and towels.

•     Avoid sharing personal equipment.

•     Keep equipment clean. Follow the coach’s directions about cleaning the equipment.

•     Keep cuts, abrasions and wounds covered with clean, dry bandages.

•     Athletes with draining wounds or infections should not be allowed to participate in practices or games   until the wound has stopped draining.

•     Report any cuts, abrasions or wounds to the coach and school nurse.

For more information about MRSA and how to prevent it:  http://www.idph.state.il.us/, selecting

A to Z topics, search for MRSA or contact the DeKalb County Health Department at 815-758-2467.

If you have any concerns regarding a possible infection, please contact your physician. 

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