MRSA Prevention & Care Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

1. MRSA Prevention & CareMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus fsalzer@nd.gov www.ndhealth.gov/disease/hai

2. What is MRSA? Staphylococcus aureus(or staph) is a bacteria. About one out of three people have staph living on their skin or in their nose. This bacteria does not cause problems for most people. However, sometimes it can cause skin/wound infections, pneumonia or bloodstream infections, which are treated with antibiotics. Sometimes staph can be resistant, meaning it cannot be killed by some antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is a type of staph that is resistant to some antibiotics.

3. What is Infection vs. Colonization? An infection means that the bacteria are in or on the body and is making the person sick. Bacteria also can be on the body, but not make the person sick. This is called colonization. People who are colonized will have no signs or symptoms of infection. MRSA can cause infection or colonization.

4. Will I Know if I Have MRSA? Most often, MRSA causes infections on the skin that appear as: Sores that look like spider bites. Large, red, painful bumps under the skin; boils. A cut that is swollen, hot to the touch and filled with pus. MRSA can also cause infection in other areas of the body, such as blood, lungs, urine, etc. These are less common, but more serious.

5. What Does MRSA Look Like?

6. MRSA is Contagious MRSA is usually spread by unwashed hands. Even a person who does not have an infection and is only colonized can spread MRSA. It is also spread when someone comes in contact with MRSA infected skin or touches something that has been in contact with MRSA skin. Personal items such as towels, bandages, razors, etc. If you touch your infected skin and touch other things around you before washing your hands, the item you touched can carry the MRSA bacteria – it is considered contaminated.

7. Preventing the Spread of MRSA Proper hand hygiene and hand washing is the best prevention! Before eating Before preparing food After handling used towels, bedding, clothing, bandages After using the bathroom Routine cleaning of surfaces Concentrating on surfaces that are frequently touched or come into contact with bare skin Cover infections with bandages or dressings Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with bandages until healed

8. Hand Washing Procedure for Washing Hands: Wet hands with warm, running water and apply liquid, bar or powder soap. Rub hands together vigorously to make a lather and scrub all surfaces. Scrub well for 15-20 seconds! It takes that long to dislodge and remove stubborn germs. To time yourself, sing the ABCs once or the “Happy Birthday” song twice. Rinse the soap off under running water. Dry hands with a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, turn the faucet off with the paper towel.

9. Protection Through Healthy Skin Keep skin clean and dry, and use lotions to keep skin in good condition. Cover cuts and abrasions with dressings. Avoid picking, squeezing or scratching scabs, abrasions, bumps or rashes. Avoid contact with someone else’s wounds or bandages. See a health-care provider for skin infections.

10. Cleaning your Environment Frequently clean surfaces that touch people’s bare skin and surfaces that people touch often such as: Doorknobs, handles and light switches. Phones, remotes and keyboards. Counters, tables, sinksand toilets. Weight and locker room benches. Athletic gear and other shared equipment. Launder clothes, towels, bedding and gear regularly. Change clothes daily. Do not put clothes that have been worn with clean clothes. Wash and dry clothing in the warmest temperature listed on the clothing label.

11. What Do I Clean With? Use a cleaner from the grocery or retail store that says “disinfectant” on the label. Read and follow the directions on the label. These will tell: How to apply the product to a surface. How long to leave it on the surface to be effective. If the surface needs to be cleaned first and rinsed after disinfecting. If the disinfectant is safe for the surface. Disinfectants and other environmental cleaners should NEVER be used to treat skin infections.

12. When to Call aHealth-care Provider Increased pain Increased swelling and/or redness Increased drainage Fever With young children, increased fussiness If the infection comes back or gets worse

13. How is MRSA Treated? MRSA should always be treated by a health-care provider. IF given antibiotics, it is VERY important that they are taken as directed and until gone. Do NOT squeeze or poke at the skin sore. This can make the infection worse. This should only be done by a health-care provider.

14. Protecting Yourself in the Community Avoid excessive antibiotic use. Shower daily and after work outs. Wash hands or use a hand sanitizer often; especially after shopping, using the bathroom and before eating. Do not share towels, soap, razors, water bottles and other personal items with other people. Use a towel as a barrier between you and exercise equipment. Wash athletic clothing daily. Clean, disinfect and dry your gym bag.

15. Visitors and Family If you have MRSA: It is recommended that you put on fresh clothes and wash your hands before having visitors. Educate your family and visitors about your infection. Encourage them to use good hand washing. Gloves should be worn when helping with dressing changes. If their clothing could get soiled, they should wear a full apron to protect them. Visitors should wash their hands before leaving.

16. Resources www.ndhealth.gov/disease/Info/MRSAfacts.aspx www.cdc.gov/mrsa/