MRSA In Schools

If you are a parent, guardian, or a school official you have probably worried about MRSA in schools spreading.  MRSA skin infections are contagious, so if a student in your child's school has an MRSA infection it is possible that it could be transmitted to your child through skin to skin contact.  You have probably heard of the term CA-MRSA.  That stands for Community-Associated Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA).  It is important to do everything possible to protect students from MRSA skin infections.  Here is a recent chart with MRSA statistics.

So how can we prevent the spreading of MRSA in Schools?  First, let's talk about how MRSA is transmitted.  MRSA is normally transmitted by direct skin to skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's MRSA infection.  Examples would be towels used in school at recess or used bandages.

MRSA in schools is spread because of the five C's.  The five C's of MRSA are:  Crowding, frequent skin-to-skin Contact, Compromised skin such as cuts, Contaminated items and surfaces, and lack of Cleanliness.   School officials should concentrate on making schools less crowded, making sure students with MRSA wounds have them properly covered, and make sure all areas of the school are properly sanitized and cleaned.

Should schools be closed because a student has an MRSA infection?  Normally, it is not necessary to close schools because of an MRSA infection in a student. It is important to note that MRSA transmission can be prevented by simple measures such as washing your hands and covering wounds.  If your child has an MRSA infection typically you should still send your child to school and your child should resume normally activities as long as their MRSA wounds are not draining.   If you aren't sure or not if your child has an MRSA skin infection here is a helpful site with info about MRSA symptoms.   And here is an excellent site with MRSA infection pictures so you can see what MRSA skin infection look like.  If you think your child has the MRSA virus you should consult your doctor and seek more information about MRSA Treatment.   If summary, if students, parents, guardians, and school officials all work together we can help prevent MRSA in Schools from spreading.