MATC Matters

You’ve probably heard about infection with MRSA (or methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus). These news‑making bacteria have become a more common cause of infections over the past few years. It requires different antibiotics to treat it, and doctors may have to use other approaches (like draining abscesses) to cure an infection.

MRSA is among emerging types of bacteria that the usual antibiotics just can’t tackle anymore. Why? Because certain strains of bacteria, sometimes called “super bugs,” have built up a resistance - or immunity - to a lot of the often‑used drugs.

For years, the medical community has worried that the rampant overuse and misuse of antibiotics, especially in children, could give rise to this kind of drug‑resistant bacteria - a good reason for doctors and parents to avoid using antibiotics for children’s common colds or other virus infections that don’t respond to antibiotic treatment anyway.

Tips to help prevent infection…

1. Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol‑based hand sanitizer.
2. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
3. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
4. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
5. Clean shared sports/exercise equipment with antiseptic solution before each use or use a barrier (clothing or a towel) between your skin and the equipment.

Call the doctor if:

• an area of skin is red, painful, swollen, and/or filled with pus
• the skin is inflamed and the individual is also feverish or feels sick
• skin infections seem to be passing from one family member to another or if two or more family members have skin infections at the same time

Serious cases of MRSA are still relatively rare, but an ounce of prevention can go a long way toward avoiding the infection and keeping your family healthy.

For more information, visit the CDC website.

Source: Steven Dowshen, MD for www.kidshealth.org/ and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Please remember that this information is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult your physician with any concerns you might have regarding this information.

If you have questions, contact Cindi Rutten, Employee Health & Wellness coordinator at 243‑4133.