1	MRSA Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Jack Adelman VP Education & Training SouthEast LINK
2	History of MRSA Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of skin and soft tissue infections.
3	History In the 1960’s it became apparent to the medical community the staph aureus infections acquired in the hospital were not responding to the typical antibiotics available. MRSA became the most common hospital acquired infection.
4	The Changing face of MRSA The face of MRSA is changing. From ICU to the community
5	Community Acquired MRSA
6	Community Acquired MRSA This form causes serious skin and soft tissue infections in otherwise healthy persons who have not been recently hospitalized or undergone invasive medical procedures.
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8	Community Acquired MRSA Anyone can get MRSA. Infections range from mild to very serious, even life threatening. MRSA is contagious and can be spread to other people through skin-to skin contact. If one person in a family is infected with MRSA, the rest of the family may get it.
9	There are two ways you can have MRSA. 1. You can have an active infection. An active infection means you have symptoms. The types of symptoms depend on where the bacteria are located. Usually an active infection is a skin infection, such as a boil, a sore, or an infected cut. 2. You can be a carrier. If you are a carrier you do not have symptoms that you can see, but you still have MRSA bacteria living on your skin and in your nose. If you are a carrier, your provider may say that you are colonized. These words — “carrier” and “colonized” — mean the same thing.
10	Community Acquired MRSA Prevalence of MRSA in Atlanta 25.7 cases per 100,000 population in Atlanta 77 percent of infections involved skin and soft tissue N Engl J Med. 2005 Apr 7;352(14):1436-44
11	PETS Pets, such as dogs and cats, can also get MRSA. Pets can have active infections or they can be carriers. If you keep getting MRSA infections, or if you see any signs of a skin infection on your pet, talk with your vet about testing your pet. Pets with MRSA can be treated. You do not need to get rid of your pet.
12	HOW DO YOU GET IT? Some ways that you could get MRSA: Touching the infected skin of someone who has MRSA Using personal items of someone who has MRSA, such as towels, wash cloths, clothes or athletic equipment Dirty clothes and bedding can spread MRSA bacteria. Touching objects, such as public phones or doorknobs, that have MRSA bacteria on the surface Being in crowded places where germs are easily spread, such as hospitals, nursing homes, daycares or college dorms
13	HOW DO YOU GET IT? You may increase your chances of getting MRSA if: You take antibiotics a lot You take antibiotics without a prescription You don’t follow directions when taking antibiotics, such as stopping early or missing doses
14	PREVENTION If you are a MRSA carrier, you still have the bacteria on your skin and in your nose. If you don’t wash your hands properly, things that you use or touch with your hands can give the bacteria to other people. MRSA can also be found in the liquid that comes out of your nose or mouth when you cough or sneeze. Remember, if you have MRSA it is possible to spread it to family, friends, other people close to you, and even to pets. Washing your hands and preventing others from coming in contact with your infections are the best ways to avoid spreading MRSA.
15	Prevention of MRSA Prevention is the best treatment for MRSA. Cover all wounds. If a wound cannot be covered exclude the student from school, sports practice and sports competition until on culture proven antibiotic for greater than 24 hours
16	Prevention of MRSA Ensure availability of adequate soap and hot water
17	Prevention of MRSA A case-control study found that sharing bars of soap and having preexisting cuts or abrasions were associated with infection. Emerg Infect Dis. 2005 Apr;11(4):526-32
18	Prevention of MRSA When washing hands with soap and water: Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available. Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces. Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Rinse hands well under running water Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands.
19	PREVENTION If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that you can buy in any drug store. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers will kill the bacteria within 15 seconds after you rub it on your hands. Your hands must be fairly clean for the sanitizer to work. Don’t use the hand sanitizers to clean surfaces or objects. Look for a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol in it.
20	Prevention of MRSA Have athletes shower after each and every practice and game.
21	Prevention of MRSA Discouraging sharing of towels and personal items
22	Prevention of MRSA Establish routine cleaning schedule for shared items
23	PREVENTION How often should I clean? MRSA bacteria can live on surfaces for days, weeks and months. It is important to clean regularly. For items or surfaces you touch frequently, clean them every day.
24	Prevention of MRSA Train teachers and staff in first aid for wounds and wounds that are potentially infected
25	Prevention of MRSA Encourage athletes to report skin lesions to coaches and trainers
26	TREATMENT Do not poke or squeeze the sores. Do not touch sores, especially ones that cannot be covered with a bandage or clothing, such as sores on your face. If you do touch a sore, wash your hands immediately. Cover any infected sores with a bandage.
27	TREATMENT If you have a leaking sore, put extra dressings over it to keep the drainage from leaking through. Be careful not to get any pus or body fluids on surfaces or other people. Wear clothes that cover your bandages and sores, if possible. Be especially careful if you are around people who have weak immune systems, such as newborn babies, the elderly, or anyone with a chronic disease. If they get MRSA, it can make them very ill.
28	TREATMENT Be careful if you are around someone who has a skin condition, such as eczema, or someone who just had surgery. They may be more likely to get an infection. If MRSA is in your urine or feces, clean your bathroom well. If other people handle your urine or feces, they should wear gloves and wash their hands well afterwards. Do not participate in contact sports until your sores have healed (sweating can cause a bandage to loosen and lead to contact with equipment and other people).
29	TREATMENT Do not go to a public gym, sauna, hot tub or pool until sores have healed. Do not get manicures, massages or hair cuts until sores have healed.