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October
23, 2007
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Recently,
there has been a lot of media coverage given to the staph infection MRSA.
Because of this coverage, the school corporation thought it would be
appropriate at this time to give parents/guardians information on MRSA and
report on what the school corporation is doing to combat the spread of this
infection. Although just
recently reported in the news, the school corporation has actually been
taking precautions to prevent the spread of MRSA for the last few
years. However, despite our precautions, this last week the
corporation has had a few students at the High School who are being treated
with what is believed to be the MRSA staph infection.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to the antibiotic
methicillin and other antibiotics related to penicillin.
MRSA is not a new disease, nor is it specific to Indiana or to school
settings. A small percentage of
the population also carries MRSA on the skin or in the nose; however, most
MRSA infections are skin infections that are treatable.
Here is some
general information concerning the MRSA staph infection as reported by the
Indiana State and Shelby County Department of Health:
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MRSA is not a new disease, nor is it specific to
Indiana or to school settings.
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Because MRSA is so common, it is not reportable in
Indiana.
-
While 30% of the general population carries staph,
only 1% carries MRSA on the skin or in the nose.
Most MRSA infections are skin infections that are treatable.
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Typically, MRSA is passed through direct contact with
a carrier. Very rarely can
it be passed through the air. You
would have to have an open wound or entry point on your body and come in
direct contact with the infected site of a carrier.
-
MRSA infections are usually limited to the skin and
can cause severe illness. Symptoms
may include red, raised bumps on the skin, looks like a spider bite or
boil, usually will have pus, typically on buttocks, back, arms, and
legs.
The
Shelbyville Central Schools have taken several precautions to prevent the
spread of this infection among our student population.
The school system has consulted with local physicians, the local
Health Department, and the Infection Control Coordinator at Major Hospital
for advice and proper planning. Cleaning precautions and hospital grade
germicidal solvents have been purchased and are being used to clean the
schools with special emphasis being placed on areas where there is frequent
direct skin contact such as locker rooms and athletic equipment.
The corporation nurse and athletic trainer have informed and worked
with appropriate school personnel to ensure early detection/treatment and
proper preventative measures.
Parents can
also help prevent the spread of MRSA by talking to their child about proper
prevention techniques. The
following can help decrease the incidence of staph and MRSA infections:
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Hand washing is the single most important behavior in
helping to prevent infectious disease.
Wash hands properly and often (with hot water and soap for at
least 15 seconds).
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Keep open areas on the skin covered with a waterproof
or impermeable bandage.
-
Do not share personal hygiene items such as soap,
towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms.
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Do not touch other person’s bandages or open skin
areas.
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See your health care provider immediately if you
notice wounds or skin breaks that are red, swollen, painful, or
draining. Students, including athletes, who notice these at
school, should immediately report them to the school nurse or athletic
coach.
Please
be assured that the school corporation is aware of the MRSA situation and is
taking all precautions recommended by organizations that are experts in
disease control. This is not a situation that can be better controlled or
prevented by closing school. If
you have any questions, please contact your child’s school principal, the
school nurse, athletic coach, athletic trainer, or your health care
provider.
Sincerely,
David A. Adams
Superintendent
Contact
Information:
SCS
Superintendent’s Office – 392-2505
Coulston
Elementary School – 398-3185
Hendricks
Elementary School – 398-7432
Loper
Elementary School – 398-9725
Shelbyville
Middle School – 392-2551
Shelbyville
High School – 398-9731
Shelby
County Health Department – 392-6470
For
additional information on MRSA, visit the Indiana State Department of
Health’s website at http://www.in.gov/isdh/healthinfo/mrsa.htm
A
new fact sheet has been added to the CDC Web site to assist with questions
about MRSA in school settings. Questions
and Answers about MRSA in Schools http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools/
Other
information about Healthcare-associated and Community-associated MRSA can be
found at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa.html
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About...
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
What
is Staphylococcus aureus?
Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria are commonly
found on the skin (armpit, groin, and genital areas) and in the nose of many
people and normally do not cause illness. However, when these bacteria enter
the body through a break in the skin, they can cause small infections such
as pimples and boils. Staph can also cause serious infections such as
bloodstream infections, pneumonia, or surgical wound infections. Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant
to the antibiotic methicillin and other antibiotics related to penicillin.
How
is MRSA spread?
MRSA is spread by close contact with an infected
person, either by direct skin contact or indirect contact with shared
objects or surfaces, such as shared towels, razors, soap, wound bandages,
bedding, clothes, hot tub or sauna benches, and athletic equipment. Wound
drainage or pus is very infectious.
Who
is at risk for MRSA?
Your risk is higher if you:
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Have recurrent skin
infections or open skin areas (e.g., abrasions or cuts)
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Have contact with
someone who is infected with MRSA
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Have a weakened immune
system due to illness or kidney dialysis
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Are an injection drug
user
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Had recent antibiotic
use
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Live in crowded
conditions
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Play in close-contact
sports
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Are a man who has sex
with men
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Have been a patient in
a health care facility within the past year
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Have poor personal
hygiene
How
do I know if I have MRSA?
See your health care provider. Your health care
provider may collect a sample from the infected area and send it to a laboratory.
Your health care provider can then prescribe an antibiotic that is right for
you.
Symptoms of MRSA infection may include:
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Red, swollen, warm,
and painful pimple, boil, or blistered areas
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Pus or other drainage
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Fever and chills
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A wound that looks
like a spider bite
How
can MRSA be treated?
Seeing your health care provider early on will prevent
the infection from becoming worse. If your health care provider prescribes
an antibiotic, take it exactly as directed and be sure to finish all doses.
(See Quick Facts about Antibiotic
Use and Antibiotic Resistance.)
How
is MRSA prevented?
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Wash your hands
properly and often. (See Quick Facts about Hand
Washing.)
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Keep infected areas
covered with a clean, dry bandage.
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Avoid direct contact
with another person’s wound, drainage, or bandages.
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Avoid contact with
surfaces contaminated with wound drainage.
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Do not share personal
hygiene items, such as washcloths, towels, razors, toothbrushes, soap,
nail clippers, clothing, or uniforms.
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Clean shared athletic
equipment and surfaces before use.
All
information presented is intended for public use. For more information,
please refer to:
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa.html
This
page (Quick Facts) was last reviewed March 26, 2007.
The above Quick Facts document along
with other important information about MRSA can be found at the Indiana
State Department of Health’s website at http://www.in.gov/isdh/healthinfo/mrsa.htm.
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