Definition* MRSA infection is caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria — often called "staph." MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It's a strain of staph that's resistant to the broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used to treat it. MRSA can be fatal.
Symptoms
Most Staph skin infections, including MRSA, generally start as small red bumps that resemble and quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses. The often resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. What to look for:
*Redness* Swollen
*Warmth
*Tenderness
*Pus or drainage (yellow or white)
*A fever may or may not be present- see your healthcare professional if any of the symptoms are present
Risk Factors for MRSA
* Contact during sports- high risk sports include football and wrestling but all sports are at risk
* Sharing of personal items such as towels, razors, uniforms, clothing
* Skin to skin contact to lesions, cuts, abrasions
What should I do if I think I have an MRSA infection?
* Tell your parent, coach, athletic trainer, school nurse, team doctor or other healthcare provider if you think you have an infection so it can be treated quickly. Finding infections early and getting care will reduce the amount of playing time lost and decrease the chance that the infection will become severe.
* Pay attention for signs of infections such as redness, warmth, swelling, pus, and pain at sites where your skin has sores, abrasions, or cuts. Sometimes these infections can be confused with spider bites.
* Infections can also occur at sites covered by body hair or where uniforms or equipment cause skin irritation or increased rubbing.
* Do not try to treat the infection yourself by picking or popping the sore.
* Cover possible infections with clean dry bandages until you can be seen by a healthcare provider (e.g., doctor, nurse, athletic trainer).
* Keep an eye on minor skin problems — pimples, insect bites, cuts and scrapes — especially in children. If wounds become infected, see your doctor.
How do I protect myself from getting MRSA and other skin infections?
* Wash your hands. Careful hand washing remains your best defense against germs. Scrub hands briskly for at least 15 seconds, then dry them with a disposable towel and use another towel to turn off the faucet. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol for times when you don't have access to soap and water.
* Keep personal items personal i.e. razors, towels…
* Keep wounds covered. Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal.
* Sanitize linens. If you have a cut or sore, wash towels and bed linens in a washing machine set to the "hot" water setting (with added bleach, if possible) and dry them in a hot dryer. Wash gym and athletic clothes after each wearing.
- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mrsa/DS00735
- http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_MRSA.html
- http://www1.ncaa.org/membership/ed_outreach/health-safety/healthcare/sports_med_education/infectious_prevention.htm
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