Good Hygeine Can Diminish MRSA Threat

There are lots of stories in the news about healthy people getting antibioticresistant staph infections. And some parents are wondering how they might protect their children.

It will help, at the start, to gain an understanding of these infections. They actually have been happening for years, though there is evidence that the rate is increasing.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA (pronounced MERsuh), can be spread through skin-to-skin contact or by touching something that has MRSA bacteria on it.

Staph bacteria are everywhere. Some of you reading this likely have it right now, without ever knowing it or showing symptoms. According to a Mayo Clinic study, a variety of staph are normally found on the skin or in the nose of about three in every 10 people at any given time.

However, being "colonized" is not really a concern. Staph bacteria become a problem only when they cause infection, usually by entering the body through a cut or wound. For some people, especially those who are weak or ill, these infections can become serious.

MRSA infections are more difficult to treat than ordinary staph infections because they don't respond to many types of antibiotics.

The chances of resistant bacteria developing have been increased by people in a community who fail to finish a full course of antibiotics.

Symptoms of a MRSA infection depend on its location. If MRSA is causing an infection in a wound, the first sign of infection may look like a spider or insect bite. If you have pneumonia, you may develop a cough.

The best way to protect your child from staph bacteria is to teach him or her good hygiene. Thorough hand washing is very important -- teach your child to wash hands with lots of soap and warm water for the length of time it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. Your child should learn to not share personal items such as towels, clothing, deodorants and athletic equipment.

At home, you can help by disinfecting common surfaces such as telephones, light switches, computer keyboards and toilets. Have antibacterial hand sanitizers at the ready in the car, backpack, sports bag and purse. Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a bandage until they are healed.

If you are concerned your child is infected with MRSA, see the doctor right away. He or she may send a sample to a lab to see if there is bacteria and then test to see which kinds of antibiotics kill the bacteria. This test may take several days.

The chances are great that MRSA will never be a problem for your family, but instilling great hygiene habits is always beneficial. Also, be responsible when anyone in the family is prescribed an antibiotic -- complete the prescription, even if the infection is getting better. Don't share antibiotics with others or save unfinished antibiotics for another time. Inappropriate use of antibiotics contributes to resistance.

Healthy Trust Immediate Medical Care serves the Chicago North Shore Communities of Lake County, Wheeling, Prospect Heights, Lincolnshire, Deerfield, Buffalo Grove, Northbrook, Highland Park, Long Grove, Riverwoods, Des Plaines, Palatine, Glenview, Highwood, Northfield, Libertyville, Winnetka, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Mundelein, and Bannockburn.