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 and Prevention to prevent the spread of staph
infections. While they may apply particularly to athletes, these
tips 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 healthcare 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.
Resources
Children's Medical Center
Dallas
American Academy of
Pediatrics
