Since MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections can be so difficult to treat and they can be serious, even deadly, it is very important to try and prevent these common skin infections.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many of the risk factors that put people at risk for MRSA infections include "crowding, frequent skin-to-skin contact, compromised skin (i.e., cuts or abrasions), contaminated items and surfaces, and lack of cleanliness."
These risk factors are some of the reasons that MRSA infections seem to be so common in schools.
MRSA Prevention
Fortunately, good hygiene can be important steps in MRSA prevention.
These include:
- proper handwashing
- showering daily and again after exercise
- covering insect bites, sores, cuts and abrasions
- not sharing personal items with other people, including towels, clothing, washcloths, and razors
- cleaning and/or covering exercise equipment at school and at the gym before and after using them
Preventing the Spread of MRSA
One of the most important factors in MRSA prevention though is helping to prevent your own child's MRSA infection from spreading to other kids.
In addition to keeping your child's suspected MRSA infection covered, it is important to see your pediatrician so that it can be properly treated. If the wound is draining and can't be completely covered, then your child should likely be excluded from sports, so that he doesn't infect other children.
Also, it is important to wash your child's clothing, towels, and bedding in hot water any time that he has a cut, scrape, or sore, especially if you think that he has an MRSA infection.
Sources:
CDC. Frequently Asked Questions. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Schools
CDC. Community-Associated MRSA Information for the Public.
