MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections were once limited to people in certain high-risk populations, including prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers, and people with weakened immune systems.
They are now becoming more common in people who are otherwise healthy as community-associated MRSA.
MRSA in schools is especially becoming a big problem, as symptoms of MRSA infections begin to show up in daycare centers, schools, dormitories, and especially among student athletes.
Symptoms of MRSA Infections
Like MRSA infections in other populations, students have many of the same symptoms of MRSA infections, including a pimple or abscess that is:
- red
- swollen
- painful
- draining pus
- at the site of a previous cut or abrasion, which allows the MRSA bacteria to get into the skin and grow
MRSA in Schools
Why does MRSA seem to be spreading in schools?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many of the risk factors that put people at risk for MRSA infections are present in schools, including "crowding, frequent skin-to-skin contact, compromised skin (i.e., cuts or abrasions), contaminated items and surfaces, and lack of cleanliness."
Fortunately, good hygiene can help to prevent MRSA infections. This includes:
- proper handwashing
- showering after exercise
- covering cuts and abrasions
- not sharing personal items with other students, including towels, clothing, washcloths, and razors
- cleaning and/or covering exercise equipment before and after using them
If many students seem to be getting MRSA infections at one school, the local health department should be consulted for assistance to help eradicate it.
Sources:
CDC. Frequently Asked Questions. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Schools
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. MRSA Toolkit for Middle & High Schools.
