Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria are commonly found in the nose and on the skin of healthy people. When staph is present on or in the body without causing illness, this is called colonization. Staph with resistance to some antibiotics (e.g., methicillin) is known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). When bacteria are resistant to an antibiotic it means that particular antibiotic will not kill the bacteria. MRSA was first identified in healthcare facilities. MRSA is now being seen among young healthy people in the community; this is referred to as community-acquired MRSA.
Cause
Staphylococcus aureus bacteria resistant to some antibiotics.
Symptoms
Most MRSA infections are skin infections that typically cause local redness and warmth of the infected area with or without pus/drainage. These infections commonly occur at sites of visible skin trauma, such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair (e.g., back of neck, groin, buttock, and armpit).
Localized infections include boils, impetigo, cellulitis, and wound infections. More serious infections, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or bone infections, are very rare in healthy people who get MRSA skin infections.
Spread
By contact with hands, skin drainage, pus, or secretions from the nose of a person who is infected or colonized with MRSA.
Incubation
Variable. A long delay may occur between colonization with staph and the onset of infection.
Contagious Period
As long as infection or colonization lasts. Persons who have draining infections are shedding more bacteria and are more infectious than persons who are colonized only.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: If draining sores are present which cannot be completely covered and contained with a clean, dry bandage or if the person cannot maintain good personal hygiene.
Children who are only colonized do not need to be excluded.
Activities: Children with draining sores should not participate in any activities where skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur until their sores are healed. This means no contact sports.
Treatment
Children with skin infections need to be referred to a licensed health care provider for diagnosis and treatment. Child care/school personnel should notify parents/guardians when possible skin infections are detected.
Prevention/Control
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after touching secretions from the nose, tracheostomies, gastrostomies, or skin drainage of an infected or colonized person.
- Wear disposable medical gloves when touching any draining sores or changing bandages.
- Dispose of bandages in a plastic bag immediately to prevent contamination of surfaces. Close the plastic bag and dispose in the trash.
- Keep wounds clean and dry and covered with a bandage.
- DO NOT share personal items such as towels, washcloths, bar soap, combs, razors, or clothing.
- Wash bedding separately from other laundry in hot water with detergent. Dry in a hot dryer.
- Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces or objects daily or when soiled.
- Food handlers with open sores should wear waterproof disposable gloves.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
More information about MRSA can be found at the Missouri DHSS website. [NEEDS LINK]
MRSA Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria with resistance to some antibiotics. When bacteria are antibiotic resistant it means that an antibiotic will not kill the bacteria.
If you think your child has MRSA:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
- Child Care and School:
Yes, if draining sores are present and cannot be completely covered and contained with a clean, dry bandage.
No, if child is only colonized.
Activities:
Avoid participating in activities where skin-to- skin contact is likely to occur until sores are healed. This means no contact sports.
- Child Care and School:
Symptoms
An area of skin infection that may be red and warm. There may be pus or drainage. These infections commonly occur where children have cuts and scrapes. Examples include boils, impetigo, cellulitis, and wound infections.
People may be “colonized” with staph bacteria in their nose or on their skin. This means that the bacteria are there without causing any infection or any harm.
If your child is infected, the time it will take for symptoms to start will vary by type of infection.
Spread
- By contact with hands, skin drainage, pus, or secretions from the nose.
Contagious Period
As long as the bacteria are present. A child who has draining infections has more bacteria and is more contagious than a child who is only colonized.
Call your Healthcare Provider
- If anyone in your home has symptoms. Your doctor will decide what treatment is needed.
Prevention
- Wear disposable gloves when changing bandages. Wash hands after touching any draining sores or changing bandages. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Keep wounds clean, dry, and covered with a bandage. Put used bandages in a plastic bag right away. Close the plastic bag and put it in the trash.
- If possible, people with staph infections should do their own first aid on cuts/scrapes.
- Never share personal items such as washcloths, bar soap, combs, razors, or clothing.
- Keep contaminated laundry separate from other laundry. Wash clothes, bed sheets, and blankets in hot water with detergent and dry in a hot dryer.
- Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces and objects with a disinfectant that kills Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.