MRSA Education Initiative Launched by CDC

You’ve seen it on the news, read it in the papers and on the internet—methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is spreading. Once largely occurring among patients in hospitals and nursing homes, it is becoming more common in community settings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Americans make more than 12 million doctor visits each year for skin infections typical of those caused by staph bacteria, and in some areas of the country, more than half of the skin infections are MRSA. In an effort to combat this growing health risk, the CDC has launched a national campaign designed to teach parents how to protect themselves and their families from skin infections caused by MRSA.

The National MRSA Education Initiative will reach out to parents through a wide range of venues—web sites, radio and print public service announcements, mainstream media interviews, web banners and blogging sites. Fact sheets, brochures and posters will be also be provided for use in community and school groups. “Well-informed parents are a child’s best defense against MRSA and other skin infections,” said Dr. Rachel Gorwitz, a pediatrician and medical epidemiologist with CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. “Recognizing the signs and receiving treatment in the early stages of a skin infection reduces the chances of the infection becoming severe or spreading.”

What are the Signs and Symptoms? Most staph skin infections, including those caused by MRSA, appear as a pimple or boil that may be red, swollen, painful, warm to the touch, have pus or other drainage, and may be accompanied by a fever. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, blood stream infections, surgical wound infections and urinary tract infections. If you or a family member experiences any of these signs and symptoms, you should cover the area with a bandage and contact your healthcare professional. This is especially important if a fever is present.

How are staph infections, including MRSA, spread? MRSA is spread through direct contact with another person’s infection, sharing personal items such as towels or razors that have touched infected skin, or by touching surfaces contaminated with MRSA.

How can you prevent MRSA? You can prevent MRSA by practicing good hygiene; keeping your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed; avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages; and avoid sharing personal items.

For more information about the program, or to obtain community outreach tools, call (800) CDC-INFO or visit www.cdc.gov/MRSA.