"Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus" MRSA is a highly contagious, fast-spreading bacterial infection.
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Why is it important for us to know about this? Knowledge is power. We do not have a problem at WSHS and by educating everyone in our school and community we hope we never have a MRSA case. There are documented cases at the high school level, collegiate, and professional – we don’t want to take any chances. We would like to make sure that everyone is educated on this skin infection.
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Staphylococcus is a bacterium. This particular type is harmless under some conditions, yet lethal in others.
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MRSA can adhere to a minor abrasion, then spread into the blood and cause a severe illness. This infection can begin with a mark as small as a pinprick.
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Early symptoms are so benign that infected people often don’t seek medical help until it has already spread. This bacterium is resistant to many antibiotics.
SIMPLE STEPS YOU CAN FOLLOW ON A DAILY BASIS TO PREVENT INFECTION: 1. Do not share towels or other gear – this includes batting helmets, lacrosse gear, football helmets – DO NOT SHARE ANYTHING!! 2. Wash hands regularly. 3. Cover all wounds even small ones!! This closes off the potential entry points for MRSA. 4. Monitor any and all abnormalities in the skin and see a doctor at the first sign that a boil or welt seems to worsen. 5. Shower on a regular basis. 6. Disinfect heavily used equipment. 7. Wear shower shoes in the locker room. |
