November 2007 The Superbug: MRSA

There have been many recent reports throughout RI and MA regarding outbreaks of MRSA. The news has been reporting this as the superbug. MRSA is not a new infection but it has made news because it has invaded the school age population.
MRSA is a kind of bacteria that is resistant to some kinds of antibiotics. MRSA is a kind of Staphylococcus aureus (staph); it is actually Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Staph is a bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. About 25-30% of the population carries staph on their bodies at any given time. This percentage of the population does not have skin infections. They do not have any other signs or symptoms of illness. Sometimes, though, staph can cause an infection especially pimples, boils and other problems with the skin. These infections often contain pus, and may feel itchy and warm. Occasionally, staph may cause more serious infections.
Staph bacteria are spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, such as shaking hands, wrestling, or other direct contact with the skin of another person. Staph are also spread by contact with items that have been touched by people with staph, like towels shared after bathing and drying off, or shared athletic equipment in the gym or on the field. A staph infections start when staph gets into a cut, scrape or other breaks occur in the skin. People who have skin infections-painful, swollen pimples, boils and rashes should be very careful to avoid spreading the infection to others.
Caring for a staph infection requires a specific antibiotic, good skin care involving soap and water and keeping the area dry. Staying home for 48 hours until the infection is not painful or swollen is another recommendation. The only way to tell the difference between MRSA and other staph infections is by lab test. The lab results will also determine the specific antibiotic that should be used for the treatment of the infection.
Prevention involves good handwashing with soap and water. Keep your cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage that is changed daily. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, toothbrushes and razors. Keep your skin healthy and avoid getting dry, cracked skin, especially during the winter months. Healthy skin helps to keep the staph on the surface of your skin from causing an infection underneath your skin. Contact your health care provider if you have a skin infection that does not improve.

More MRSA info.

November screenings: Heights and weights, Lawn vision rescreenings.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pre-K required immunizations:

Completed series of 3 Hepatitis B

Varicella vaccine or documentation having chicken pox

4 Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DPT/DTaP)

4 Pneumococcal Conjugate

3 Polio

4 Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (HIB)

1 Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Physical Examination if new to Pre-K

K requires the following immunizations and current physical:

Completed series of 3 Hepatitis B

Varicella vaccine or documentation having chicken pox

5 Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP/DTaP)

4 Polio

4 HIB

2 Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Vision screening

Lead screening

Physical Examination

Students entering grades 1-6: Same requirements for K except lead and vision screening.

Students entering grade 6 and who are interested in playing sports are required to submit a current physical examination.

7 th Grade requires the following:

Completed series of 3 Hepatitis B

Varicella vaccine or documentation having chicken pox

5 DTP/DTaP

4 Polio

2 Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Tetanus or TdaP booster

Scoliosis screening

Physical Examination

8 th grade students who are new to Jamestown School must follow the 7 th grade requirements.

The appropriate form must be mailed to the School Nurse-Teacher before the first day of school.