Staph infections are growing

Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as staph, is a bacterium that can cause skin infections that look like pimples or boils. Staph infections also can cause redness, swelling, pain and drainage at the site of the infection. Some staph infections are resistant to certain antibiotics, which makes them harder to treat. These infections are known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

Anyone can get a staph or MRSA infection, and it is becoming more and more common among athletes who participate in contact sports. Here are some tips from the national Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to prevent the spread of staph infections that while they may apply particularly to athletes also are advised for children in general, especially when they are in the classroom or are on the playground:

• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage or don’t participate in practice or competitions until skin infections heal or can be covered adequately. Don’t touch other peoples’ cuts or bandages
• Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and shower with soap, hot water and clean towels after all practices and competitions.
• Don’t share towels, clothing or personal items such as razors.
• Clean equipment regularly.
• Learn first aid for wounds and how to recognize potential skin infections.
• Tell your coach or athletic trainer if you think you have a skin infection. Coaches and athletic trainers should regularly check athletes for skin lesions.

Most staph infections can be treated easily, but some staph infections lead to more serious illness. Contact your health care provider if a skin infection does not get better. If you are given antibiotics to treat the infection, you need to take all of the medication, even if you feel better. Don’t share antibiotics and don’t save them for later.

MRSA appears to be more prevalent than previously thought, according to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study authors estimate there were more than 94,000 cases of invasive MRSA in the U.S. in 2005, resulting in nearly 19,000 deaths. Most of the infections were healthcare associated, community onset or hospital onset. To put those numbers in perspective, there were more cases of death associated with invasive MRSA in 2005 than deaths from HIV/AIDS.

Tags: health, MRSA, skin infections, staph, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus