Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
MRSA is a type of
staph infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics which makes
it hard to treat. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most
frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities
(such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened
immune systems. However, staph or MRSA infections in the community
can occur in otherwise healthy people. The symptoms are usually
manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils. If you
notice a rash that is red, swollen, painful, or has pus or other
drainage, please contact your health care provider immediately.
Usually a person being treated with antibiotics for at least 24
hours is no longer in danger of passing an infection to another
person. Students may return to school after being cleared by a
physician.
Here are some tips
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
-
Wash your hands
often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
-
Keep your cuts
and scrapes clean and cover them with bandages.
-
Do not touch
other people’s cuts or bandages.
-
Do not share
personal items like hats/scarves/towels, makeup, food/drink,
etc.
In the Oakdale Joint
Unified School District, custodial staff follows accepted protocols
for cleaning school sites, including use of hospital-grade
disinfectant and daily cleaning of bathrooms, locker rooms, etc.
Staff encourages students to wash hands regularly. Three
parent-reported cases have been made at three different school
sites. To the best of our knowledge there was no student to student
contact between these students and all were cleared to return to
school by local health officials. For more information on MRSA,
please talk with your health care provider or refer to the pamphlet
from the California Department of Public Health.
MRSA Parent Guide
