Managing MRSA

Helping Students Stay Healthy

Healthy StudentsYou may have been hearing about recent MRSA, or "superbug," outbreaks, both on college campuses and within K-12 schools. MRSA — or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus — is one type of 'staph' bacteria. In healthy people, this group of organisms typically causes simple skin infections (such as pimples and boils) and respiratory infections that can be treated with antibiotics.

MRSA is a particularly hardy strain of 'staph' that, in a community setting, is acquired through shared fitness equipment and other surfaces or through direct skin-to-skin contact. Crowded living conditions and poor hygiene also contribute to its spread. Eradicating the infection is challenging because many standard antibiotics are ineffective in treating this 'superbug.'

Given its threat on college campuses, students are encouraged to take the following actions to help prevent MRSA infections:

  • Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Shower with soap after playing sports, working out or using a public sauna, hot tub or pool.
  • Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a dry bandage until healed.
  • Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.
  • Avoid sharing personal items such as soap, towels, washcloths, clothing or razors.
  • Put a barrier (cloth or towel) between skin and shared equipment (like exercise bikes, etc.).
  • Wipe down the surface of equipment with a disinfectant before and after using it.
  • Change sheets and towels regularly.
  • Wash sheets, towels and clothes that may have come into contact with a wound.
  • Use the hottest washing and drying settings when laundering clothes.
  • Cover mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing, and wash hands right away.
  • Wipe down public objects that others frequently touch like phones, doorknobs, desks, light switches,
    remotes, headsets, handsets, computer keyboards toilets, sinks, tubs, counters and pagers with disinfectant wipes.