INDIANAPOLIS Wash your hands, launder your children's gym uniforms and don't buy into the hype.
That's the advice state health officials gave Thursday in announcing the formation of a task force to educate Hoosiers on MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant form of staph infection.
"We've heard a lot in the news recently about MRSA -- methicillin-resistant staph aureus," said Indiana Health Commissioner Judy Monroe. "We want to make sure that everyone understands that this typically is a very minor infection. It's very treatable, It's rarely serious, although at times it can be, and that certainly captures our attention.
"It's important to understand that MRSA is not new, nor is it specific to Indiana."
State health officials held a similar news conference on pandemic flu in May 2006, just before ABC aired a made-for-TV movie depicting an apocalyptic bird flu outbreak.
Nearly 19,000 Americans died from MRSA In 2005, the Journal of the American Medical Association reports. Almost twice as many died from flu.
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Because of its prevalence, Indiana does not track individual cases of MRSA, only outbreaks. Since 2003, there have been three outbreaks. Six members of the Indiana State University football team were diagnosed with MRSA in 2003. In 2004, there were two outbreaks, one at a metal processing factory and another at the Starke County Jail, where three cases were confirmed.
"The key to prevention of MRSA is good hand hygiene. It should be done frequently and appropriately," said Jean Svendsen, a registered nurse who works in the surveillance and investigation division of the Indiana State Health Department.
The state's MRSA task force includes representatives from the following community partners: Advanced Practice Nurses, Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Clarian Health, Community Health Network, Indiana Academy of Family Physicians and Indiana Association of School Nurses.
About... Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
What is staphylococcus aureus?
Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria are commonly found on the skin (armpit, groin, and genital areas) and in the nose of many people and normally do not cause illness. However, when these bacteria enter the body through a break in the skin, they can cause small infections such as pimples and boils. Staph can also cause serious infections such as bloodstream infections, pneumonia, or surgical wound infections. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to the antibiotic methicillin and other antibiotics related to penicillin.
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think MRSA and many other infections, including common conditions like as MRSA now does, which is why people are encouraged to get annual flu vaccines.
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How is MRSA spread?
MRSA is spread by close contact with an infected person, either by direct skin contact or indirect contact with shared objects or surfaces, such as shared towels, razors, soap, wound bandages, bedding, clothes, hot tub or sauna benches, and athletic equipment. Wound drainage or pus is very infectious.
Who is at risk for MRSA?
Your risk is higher if you:
Have recurrent skin infections or open skin areas (e.g., abrasions or cuts)
Have contact with someone who is infected with MRSA
Have a weakened immune system due to illness or kidney dialysis
Are an injection drug user
Had recent antibiotic use
Live in crowded conditions
Play in close-contact sports
Are a man who has sex with men
Have been a patient in a health care facility within the past year
Have poor personal hygiene
How do I know if I have MRSA?
See your health care provider. Your health care provider may collect a sample from the infected area and send it to a laboratory. Your health care provider can then prescribe an antibiotic that is right for you.
Symptoms of MRSA infection may include:
Red, swollen, warm, and painful pimple, boil, or blistered areas
Pus or other drainage
Fever and chills
A wound that looks like a spider bite
How can MRSA be treated?
Seeing your health care provider early on will prevent the infection from becoming worse. If your health care provider prescribes an antibiotic, take it exactly as directed and be sure to finish all doses. (See Quick Facts about Antibiotic Use and Antibiotic Resistance.)
How is MRSA prevented?
Wash your hands properly and often. (See Quick Facts about Hand Washing.)
Keep infected areas covered with a clean, dry bandage.
Avoid direct contact with another person’s wound, drainage, or bandages.
Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with wound drainage.
Do not share personal hygiene items, such as washcloths, towels, razors, toothbrushes, soap, nail clippers, clothing, or uniforms.
Clean shared athletic equipment and surfaces before use.
http://nwitimes.com/articles/2007/11/02/news/lake_county/doc886d4bb86046401386257386007ffa76.txt
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